The extensive use of gravel as a road surface in Sweden and forestry having been a key part of the nation’s economy are the main reasons gravel road biking is one of the hottest topics in the world of bikes in Sweden right now.
Swedish as well as international bikers have realized that Sweden’s dusty gravel roads, blue mountains and large forests create a paradise for biking lovers.There’s literally been a worldwide boom with more riders than ever heading out exploring their local forests and hillsides on their favorite gravel bikes.
If there is anything which is in abundance in Sweden, it is blue mountains, winding gravel roads and water, Photo: Redbull
A gravel bike is a sort of mix between a road bike, a cyclocross and a MTB. With wide tires, drop bars and a pretty comfy geometry these bikes are the perfect adventure companion both on and off-road.
A thing of fear
For many Swedish bikers, gravel has almost been a thing of fear. The reason being that truckload after truckload of a particularly nasty type of gravel is strewn across urban areas here during winter, ss if it was the result of a secret conspiracy with tire manufacturers who want to up their sales of delicate road tires.
If there is anything which is in abundance in Sweden, it is blue mountains, winding gravel roads and water. With miles and miles of small roads and little traffic, Sweden is heaven for gravel biking, and there are roads there for everyone.
Sweden is heaven for gravel biking, and there are roads there for everyone. Photo: Marie Leander/Västsverige.com
A young discipline
Gravel biking is a young discipline, having only been around for less than a decade with the first gravel-specific bikes created in the early 2010s. And since then, this kind of riding has captured the wheel-addicted hearts of both roadies and mountain bikers alike as it blurs the lines between road, gravel and singletrack.
However, mountain bike marathon riders, the second largest group of cyclists in Sweden, have been riding these gravel roads for many years. To this group gravel is yawn-inducing, a necessary evil to take you from one stretch of singletrack to the next.
The early gravel bikes in Sweden were made for tough conditions: to carry lumberjacks through the Swedish forests, so that they could do the logging. Today, all paths and roads are different and you will soon realize that you would need several different bikes to discover all of them, for instance the so-called “bicycle string” outside Sorsele in northern Sweden.
A boost in gravel addiction
Sweden has seen a huge boost in gravel addiction lately and is the perfect place to discover and enjoy this discipline. Sweden has become a country filled to the brim with pure biking pleasure – and gravel events have exploded.
But even if this young sport is growing at record-pace it’s still a fairly new and unknown community around it. So, to find out more about the Swedish gravel scene, the sport itself, and of course, where to go graveling, we digged into the grvl.se – a community and website for gravel routes.
One of the very few events that actually took place last spring, due to the pandemic, was the Gravel Challenge Bauerskogen at the end of March 2020.
This kind of riding has captured the wheel-addicted hearts of both roadies and mountain bikers alike. Photo: Visit Sweden
The best tours The whole idea of the website is to promote the best tours in their area, which have been tested, don’t cause any problems with landowners etc. Bauerskogen is named after the artist John Bauer, who spent a lot of time out in the deep forests common to the area. It was there he was inspired to illustrate the Swedish fairytale book Among Gnomes and Trolls at the beginning of the 20th century.
Gravel biking is usually done over a day, so it’s easier and more accessible, but some prefer to go for overnight rides to explore the routes further. When bike packing you go on multi-day trips and bring your own equipment.
Gravel biking in Stockholm
An easy route of 50km recommended by grvl.se is biking around Stockholm’s national park but without ever going into it (as it is forbidden to ride bicycles in this national park). Beautiful gravel dipping in and out of suburbia, this route has it all and a must to any biker living or visiting Stockholm.
Gravel Road Biking in Sweden, written by Tor Kjolberg
Fall is an exciting time for Scandinavian herbs.Herbs are the essence of the soil, and the tradition of any given culinary tradition.Foraging has been a long-loved Nordic activity, especially in September, when everything is brimming for harvest and the long dark winter fast approaches.
The Nordic kitchen is very much influenced by Russian cooking and its use of horseradish and dill. Many Scandinavians tramp into the forest every year to find a bounty. The other herbs that infuse our dishes are used all over the world, although the subtle flavors of chervil, tarragon and parsley, wild thyme and wood sorrel are used in mild Nordic ways, particular to our habits of eating delicately flavored food, with ingredients as the key note.
There are no clear distinction between herbs and edible leaves except that herbs are more pungent, not being a considerable part of the dish, but a leafy flavoring nonetheless. Photo: Annie Spratt
Foraging
Foraging practice in Scandinavia is that you should never take more than a small percentage of what you forage, so that the plants have an opportunity to regrow. Herbs have been gathered from the wild since the Stone Age, and more than now. The necessary common knowledge of herbs has more or less vanished, although cooks and foodies are regaining knowhow and adding new-old local herbs to the table once more.
the subtle flavors of chervil, tarragon and parsley, wild thyme and wood sorrel are used in mild Nordic ways. Photo: Katherine Kanton
New and old herbs Ramsons, nettles, woodruff, angelica and mugwort are new to us, but can be found in all the Nordic cookbooks. However, the Nordic people had their own unique relationship with mugwort. Some entomologists are of the opinion that the common name for the plant is in fact derived from the old Norse word muggi- meaning marsh and Germanic wuertz meaning root. Mugwort was a staple for the völur, the Norse prophecy women who inhabited the pre-Christian era.
The necessary common knowledge of herbs has more or less vanished, although cooks and foodies are regaining knowhow and adding new-old local herbs to the table once more.. Photo: Angele Kanp
Herbs and edible leaves There are no clear distinction between herbs and edible leaves except that herbs are more pungent, not being a considerable part of the dish, but a leafy flavoring nonetheless. During the next months I will describe some of the most important herbs in Scandinavia, like dill, parsley, tarragon, chervil, lovage, horseradish, ramsons, nettles, elderflower and more. I will also present familiar as well as not so familiar recipes.
I hope this will give you a well-deserved excuse to pop into nature in the coming seasons.
Stockholm has an impressive 2088 places where you can go and see some live music. From lounge acts and intimate shows, to big stadium concerts, there is definitely something for everyone, covering every type of music genre, from classic pop to electronica. You can even head to an open mic night and take part in the gig yourself, playing with others and learning a few new guitar skills along the way. Learn more about the great places To catch a gig In Stockholm this autumn.
This autumn, as more venues are booking live acts, there is plenty to choose from, so you can enjoy a night out with friends and family, and have a real treat for your ears.
Stampen in Old Town, Stockholm. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Open Mic at Stampen Stampen, home of the Big Time Blues Jam is a jazz, rhythm and blues bar located in old town Stockholm. This building itself has a fascinating history – it was once a pawnshop, and many of the original antiques are still to be found in the bar, which has been serving up live music since 1968. There is daily live music at Stampen and the Big Time Blues Jam takes place every Saturday afternoon. It is worth brushing up on your licks and riffs if you want to take part, and you can do this with a guitar app. Learning using an app is quick and easy, and you can do it at your own pace. The Blues Jam is free to attend and enter, and all genres are welcome from funk and heavy metal, to country soul. The afternoon is hosted by harmonica legend Bill Öhrström and the bassist Derek January.
Stallet – Världens Musik Stallet are now releasing tickets for their autumn gigs, and there is plenty to choose from. The venue is well known for its folk and world music, presented on a more intimate stage. This autumn you can catch Jeanett and Peter playing their own inimitable brand of folk, with harmonious chorales and beautifully melodic songs. The Sada Trio are playing in October, as part of their jazz festival. The trio play traditional oriental music on authentic instruments, but with their own unique style. If you love a sea shanty, Quilty is also playing in October – there will be plenty of songs and ballads about adventures on the high seas.
Many popular artists perform at Nalen. Photo: Nalen
Rock and pop at Nalen Nalen has an eclectic program of events this autumn. You can check out Slowgold, who are touring following the release of the sixth album. Their previous album Mörkare won a Grammy. Petra Marklund, one of Sweden’s most beloved artists, is also playing. Her latest album, Stamps, features her unique blend of folk soul that is haunting and melodic.
Stockholm’s music scene is definitely alive and thriving. There are plenty of places where you can catch some live music this autumn, from intimate gigs to stadium rock concerts – in Stockholm there is something for everyone.
Great Places To Catch A Gig In Stockholm This Autumn, written exclusively for Daily Scandinavian by Karoline Gore. Karoline is a freelance writer from Stoke on Trent in the UK who left the corporate grind when she started a family and has never looked back. She enjoys contributing to a range of online publications on the topics that are important to her.
Feature image (on top): Jay Jay at Nalen. Photo: Nalen
The American progressive metal pioneers Dream Theater promote Norway with a picture of the Kerag Bolt in Norway on the cover of their next album A Viewfrom the Top of the World. The album will be released on October 22, and the cover shows fascinating cover art from Norway. The artwork was created by long-time cover collaborator Hugh Syme (Rush, Iron Maiden, Stone Sour).
A View from the Top of the World is the upcoming fifteenth studio album by American progressive metal band Dream Theater. This is the band’s first album to be recorded at their own studio DTHQ (Dream Theater Headquarters), their first album since Black Clouds & Silver Linings (2009).
Dream Theater, press photo from the Spectrum Oslo visit, 2020
The Canadian Juno Award-winning graphic artist Hugh Syme is a member of the Premier Artists Collection (PAC) who is best known for his artwork and cover concepts for rock and metal bands. He is also a musician and has appeared on some Rush albums as a keyboard player.
A View from the Top of the World – Cover Art from Norway, read on…
The Starman logo
Syme is notably responsible for all of Rush’s album cover art since 1975’s Caress of Steel as well as creating Rush’s famous Starman logo. In 1983 he told Jeffrey Morgan that he never imagined the band would use it as their main logo
The Starman logo
Additional musicians he has designed and created artwork for include: Iron Maiden, Bon Jovi, Whitesnake, Aerosmith, Def Leppard, Celine Dion, Scorpions, Meatloaf, Megadeth, and hundreds more.
Hugh’s art education came from the Toronto New School of Art in Toronto and York University in York, England. In addition to the album covers for which he is now internationally renowned, Syme has worked on advertisements for such companies as Accenture, Denon, Xerox, AT&T, The Washington Post, Virgin, Bausch & Lomb, Universal Studios and numerous others.
Cover art for “A View From The Top Of The World”
A View from the Top of the World – Cover Art from Norway, read on…
The motif
Kjeragbolten (English: Kjerag Bolt) is a boulder on the mountain Kjerag in Sandnes municipality in Rogaland county, Norway. The rock itself is a 5-cubic-metre (180 cu ft) glacial deposit wedged in the mountain’s crevasse. It is a popular tourist destination and is accessible without any climbing equipment. However, it is suspended above a 984-metre (3,228 ft) deep abyss. It is also a popular site for base jumping. The boulder is just southwest of the village of Lysebotn, just south of the Lysefjorden.
Many photographers and visual artists have taken the Kjerag Bolt into their hearts. One of them, Ashley Cameron, has worked with an array of magazines and advertising agencies. London-based Cameron has over the past 20 years built a reputation as a studio with a flexible, problem- solving approach.
Model May Hem posing on the Kerag Bolt. Photo: Ashley Cameron
The book Cycle Chic is photographed by Danish Mikael Colville-Andersen, who is the man behind the popular blog Copenhagen Cycle Chic. He has hunted cyclists from Copenhagen to Amsterdam and to Paris. Read more about Cycle Chic in Copenhagen.
Cycle chic or bicycle chic refers to cycling in fashionable everyday clothes. The phrase Cycle Chic was coined in 2007 by Mikael Colville-Andersen, who started the Copenhagen Cycle Chic blog in the same year.
Copenhagen – The biking capital of the world Copenhagen is an extremely stylish city – as well as a biking city. Thanks to Mikael Colville-Andersen, we are able to catch a glimpse of both worlds as they collide and whiz by. It seems like the most effective transportation system of the 21st Century is going to be the future – the humble bicycle.
Cycle Chic is a modern phrase to describe something that has existed since the invention of the bicycle in the 1880s – regular citizens on bicycles. Cycling was fashionable from the late 1880s and through the 1940s.
The book Cycle Chic contains a collection of snapshots of beautiful, happy cyclists on the go. The photographer has stated that he does not care about cycling, but that cities should be livable for those who want to ride around them on a bicycle. He started blogging in 2007 and had to quit his regular job as a film director and photographer; the interest in ordinary cycling was enormous.
Copenhagen is an extremely stylish city – as well as a biking city
The Cycle Chic philosophy
“The Cycle Chic philosophy is about looking good, interacting with your urban landscape, and contributing to the urban scene by merely riding a bicycle,” says Colville-Andersen. “We all think and breathe design in our daily lives,” he adds.
Copenhagen’s cycle tracks are winning the “space race” in cities across the globe – and having an immediate and massive impact. Better catering to residents’ comfort and ease can make cycling irresistible. “The seductive power of well-designed infrastructure can even transcend important issues, like weather,” Colville-Andersen said, showing a photo of Copenhagen cyclists pedaling in the snow. And, not only are people getting out of their cars; they’re more likely to act like model citizens.
Cycle chic or bicycle chic refers to cycling in fashionable everyday clothes
The book Cycle Chic is the story about a new generation of cyclists. The book has long since sold out and we are waiting for a new edition. The publisher, Horst A. Friedrichs, believes the popularity is related to the downturn and the availability of the bicycle.
Good design breads good behavior
Around the time that Mikael Colville-Andersen coined the phrase Cycle Chic, the bicycle had largely disappeared from the public consciousness as a transport option, at least in many North American cities, though that was not the case in northern Europe.
“I realized that people in other countries were hungry for this rebranding of the bicycle as not just transport, but also as an urban lifestyle accessory,” said Colville-Andersen. “Good design breeds good behavior,” Colville-Andersen emphasized. When you get 400 bikes through a single light cycle, like they do in Copenhagen, you’re much less likely to see those scofflaw riders charging through a red, as is common in many other cities.
“Everyone can afford to buy a bicycle. Now that people have less money to spend, the bike is more relevant than ever,” he says.
The Photo That Launched a Million Bicycles
The current bicycle boom in transportation and fashion has its roots in his very first published photo of an “elegantly-clad” woman on a bike. IBM’s Smarter Planet have documented the birth and growth of the Cycle Chic trend using advanced analytic software – from its origins in Copenhagen through 2012.
“I didn’t notice the bicycle, I noticed the urban scene,” he explained about the picture that has been coined “The Photo That Launched a Million Bicycles.”
“I didn’t notice the bicycle, I noticed the urban scene,” explained Colville-Andersen
Denmark isn’t the only model. Major leaders around Europe are making bold announcements about their intentions to go back to the future of bicycling. Colville-Andersen shared a stunning quote from the mayor of Paris: “The fact is that automobiles no longer have a place in the big cities of our time.”
Cycle Chic is a modern phrase to describe something that has existed since the invention of the bicycle in the 1880s – regular citizens on bicycles. Cycling was fashionable from the late 1880s and through the 1940s.
The book Cycle Chic contains a collection of snapshots of beautiful, happy cyclists on the go. The photographer has stated that he does not care about cycling, but that cities should be livable for those who want to ride around them on a bicycle. He started blogging in 2007 and had to quit his regular job as a film director and photographer; the interest in ordinary cycling was enormous.
The Cycle Chic philosophy
“The Cycle Chic philosophy is about looking good, interacting with your urban landscape, and contributing to the urban scene by merely riding a bicycle,” says Colville-Anderson. “We all think and breathe design in our daily lives,” he adds.
Copenhagen’s cycle tracks are winning the “space race” in cities across the globe — and having an immediate and massive impact. Better catering to residents’ comfort and ease can make cycling irresistible. “The seductive power of well-designed infrastructure can even transcend important issues, like weather,” Colville-Andersen said, showing a photo of Copenhagen cyclists pedaling in the snow. And, not only are people getting out of their cars; they’re more likely to act like model citizens.
The book Cycle Chic is the story about a new generation of cyclists. The book has long since sold out and we are waiting for a new edition. The publisher, Horst A. Friedrichs, believes the popularity is related to the downturn and the availability of the bicycle.
Good design breads good behavior
Around the time that Mikael Colville-Andersen coined the phrase Cycle Chic, the bicycle had largely disappeared from the public consciousness as a transport option, at least in many North American cities, though that was not the case in northern Europe.
“I realized that people in other countries were hungry for this rebranding of the bicycle as not just transport, but also as an urban lifestyle accessory,” said Colville-Anderson. “Good design breeds good behavior,” Colville-Andersen emphasized. When you get 400 bikes through a single light cycle, like they do in Copenhagen, you’re much less likely to see those scofflaw riders charging through a red, as is common in many other cities.
“Everyone can afford to buy a bicycle. Now that people have less money to spend, the bike is more relevant than ever,” he says.
The Photo That Launched a Million Bicycles
The current bicycle boom in transportation and fashion has its roots in his very first published photo of an “elegantly-clad” woman on a bike. IBM’s Smarter Planet have documented the birth and growth of the Cycle Chic trend using advanced analytic software – from its origins in Copenhagen through 2012.
“I didn’t notice the bicycle, I noticed the urban scene,” he explained about the picture that has been coined “The Photo That Launched a Million Bicycles.”
Denmark isn’t the only model. Major leaders around Europe are making bold announcements about their intentions to go back to the future of bicycling. Colville-Andersen shared a stunning quote from the mayor of Paris: “The fact is that automobiles no longer have a place in the big cities of our time.”
Famous for the Northern Lights, lush green space, and clean environment, Sweden is a Scandinavian country that welcomes people of all cultures and backgrounds. Packed with breathtaking landscapes and a wealth of unique activities to do, best believe you’ll never run out of things to see and do in Sweden.Spice up Your Swedish Itinerary with These Tips.
If you want to take your Swedish itinerary up a notch, lucky for you because we’re about to discuss our lifesaving travel tips and must-see spots in the country. Read further!
Lake Vattern and Lacko Castle Sweden is home to the world’s most beautiful castles. One of them is the Lacko Castle, which is located on the shores of Lake Vattern, Sweden’s largest lake. Home to 31 fish species, including trout and char, Lake Vattern presents itself as a perfect fishing spot for hobbyists. Fishing rules can be accessed on Svenska fiskeregler’s website.
Lacko summer palace. Photo: Roger Borgelid/Västsverige.com
With its baroque, timeless charm, it’s not hard to see why Lacko Castle is regarded as one of the most beautiful castles in Sweden. Wander in the historical halls and enjoy an authentic medieval experience.
Tip: Finish your trip with a sumptuous meal at Hvita Hjorten in Victoriahuset, which serves fresh vegetables and fish caught from Lake Vattern.
Gothenburg The second-largest city in the country is a food hotspot. World-class restaurants, rich history, and breathtaking coastline are making tourists flock to the city. You can spend an entire day roaming around the top-rated attractions in the city. Stroll around the Slottsskogen Park in the morning, where various wildlife, including seals, penguins, moose, elk, and deer, are waiting for the entire family.
From Guthenburg. Photo: Visit Sweden
After a worthwhile stroll, visit the Gothenburg Museum of Natural History nearby. Next, wind down on the streets of Haga District, one of the oldest neighbourhoods in the city. Revel in one of the world’s largest cinnamon buns at Café Husaren or munch on a lovely seafood meal at Sjöbaren restaurant. In the afternoon, you can choose to try the thrilling rides at the Liseberg Amusement Park or take an exciting boat ride to Nya Älvsborg Fortress, a beautifully preserved fortress in the country.
Tips: If you’re commuting around the city, remember that locals believe in “stranger danger.” Bumping into someone in the street would usually elicit an apology; it is somewhat alien in Sweden. Don’t take it personally, though. Swedes rarely engage in conversations, even small talks, with strangers!
Locals love to walk and bask in the wonders of their surroundings. While public transport is widely available, traverse the city like a true local by keeping your feet on the ground.
Stockholm The Swedish capital is a fusion of the old and new. Teeming with medieval buildings, contemporary architecture, and great tourist attractions, explore the city in a day or two to get that ultimate Swedish experience.
Skeppsbron, Stockholm. Photo: Ola Ericson/Visit Sweden
The colorful Gamla Stan is a great starting point. It’s a breathing museum of sleek architecture developed in the 1200s. The Royal Palace, Stockholm Cathedral, and the Nobel Prize Museum are all situated nearby this old town. Make sure to include them in your itinerary!
Make the most out of your visit by joining sightseeing tours as well. There are many local tours that you can join to witness the city’s spectacular sights by bus or boat.
Tip: Like most Scandinavian cities, activities in Stockholm can be expensive. One way to enjoy the city without costing an arm and leg is to eat one main, heavy meal during the day and munch on something lighter in the evening.
Spice up Your Swedish Itinerary with These Tips – Conclusion
Sweden is such a sight to behold, and one way to make the most of your trip is to plan ahead. May this article help you level up your Swedish itinerary!
Kenneth Reeves
Spice up Your Swedish Itinerary with These Tips is exclusively written for Daily Scandinavian by Kenneth Reaves. Kenneth loves to practice his passion for angling across the waters of the world. He’s also a passionate coach and writer, helping anglers of all levels master the art of fishing on his website, Perfect Captain.
Feature image (on top): Stockholm skyline. Photo: Ulf Grunbaum/Visit Sweden
Sweden wants to position itself as a hub for commercial satellites and is launching a base in the Arctic wilderness aiming to be Europe’s first. Will Sweden beat SpaceX founder Elon Musk’s Starbase plans in Texas? Will Sweden be the next hub for commercial satellites?
The reindeer will probably not be happy when the Swedish government is turning an old research base above the Arctic Circle into a state-of-the-art satellite launching center. The business development agency LTU Business has on behalf of the northern Swedish regional space development program RIT2021 undertaken a study which concludes that a space center in and around the town of Kiruna could double in size over the next 15 years and result in a directly-employed workforce of 1,000.
The Esrange Space Center shares a landing zone that is more than 2,000 square miles and will be the testing ground for Europe’s first reusable vertical rocket next year.
The Arctic space research center was first handed over to Sweden in 1972 and may now be taken into a renewed sense of purpose. The Esrange Space Center shares a landing zone that is more than 2,000 square miles and will be the testing ground for Europe’s first reusable vertical rocket next year.
Home to Space technology intelligence
Kiruna is the most northerly town in Sweden. It is the site for the Esrange Space Centre, the Swedish Institute of Space Physics, and the Department of Space Science of the Luleå University of Technology, as well as various space sector enterprises, most notably the state-owned Swedish Space Corporation (SSC).
The Arctic space research center was first handed over to Sweden in 1972 and may now be taken into a renewed sense of purpose.
The Arctic Circle has its advantages when it comes to launching satellites into the space. It gives the satellites a more comprehensive view of Earth, while requiring less energy for a satellite to actually get into space. Sweden will be the first orbital launch site for orbital satellites in Europe – capable of launching spacecrafts into the orbit around Earth or interplanetary trajectories.
Academic and commercial growth “New technology enables easier and cheaper access to space, transforming the industry from having been exclusive to expensive national initiatives to becoming a market for virtually anyone and everyone with interest and ambition,” says project manager for RIT2021, Johanna Bergström and adds, “This enables the space sector to expand both academically and commercially, and creates opportunities for small businesses to contribute, compete and grow.”
There should be no shortage of interested parties on hand as Esrange ramps up its efforts to become Europe’s preeminent launching pad for orbital rockets. According to a report from New York Times ISAR Aerospace Technologies in Germany has secured $100 million in funding from an ex-SpaceX VP and is already on site testing out engines.
A unicorn in the space business “We are a bit of a unicorn in the space business,” said Philip Pahlsson, vice president for strategy and innovation of the Swedish Space Corporation, referring to the government’s ownership of the site. “But we do plan on being the awesomest company in the government’s portfolio.”
Establishing a satellite launch capability at Esrange would probably make Sweden the second country in Europe (after the UK), and the first in the European Union, to have such a capability from its home territory.
Though the effort is certainly ambitious (and has elicited occasional concerns from locals who appreciate the area’s vast wilderness), the Swedish Space Corporation believes Esrange is vital not just for the Scandinavian country’s ambitions but for the continent as a whole.
Space experts claim that with a fast-growing space market, Europe will have an increasingly need for smaller rockets carrying smaller satellites. “Sweden will become a launching state, providing a capability of great importance for research, technology development and expanded international cooperation,” said SSC CEO Stefan Gardefjord.
The Arctic Circle has its advantages when it comes to launching satellites into the space
Excellent infrastructure
“Europe really needs to build infrastructure to get to space. We can provide a proper space base,” said SSC senior VP Stefan Gustafsson.
Kiruna (also the site of a major iron-ore mine, which was the cause of the town’s foundation at the start of the twentieth century) has excellent infrastructure, and benefits from the ameliorating effects of the Gulf Stream current that originates in the Gulf of Mexico and crosses the North Atlantic.
Sweden – A Hub For Commercial Satellites, written by Tor Kjolberg
The coronavirus pandemic has affected the entire world, and that’s a fact. Starting with the overall wellbeing of the entire population, to every branch of the industry, the pandemic has heavily impacted every one of us. Learn more about how COVID-19 affects Scandinavian countries.
Even though we had no other choice than to adapt to this new lifestyle, the impact this pandemic has left is huge, and you can see that everywhere you turn your head around: it’s reflected in tourism, it has impacted small businesses, our general physical and mental health, etc.
Scandinavian countries have been affected in the same way most European countries have.
The impact this pandemic has left is huge, and you can see that everywhere you turn your head around. Photo: Nordforsk
Tourism Generally, tourists tend to visit Nordic countries in the summer – starting from June, until late August or even September. As Scandinavian countries are not the warmest countries, people plan their visits around that time.
Even though these countries have similar policies and ethics, the way they’ve handled the virus was a bit different, especially in the beginning of the pandemic. For instance, from the very beginning, Norway has shut down the doors of the educational institutions, sports and cultural activities have been interrupted, it had a stringent protocol in wearing face masks and so on.
Sweden, on the other hand, has kept most of these facilities open, in hope of keeping people’s morals high. When the international governments adopted the full lockdowns, borders have also closed. That’s when the tourism has started to struggle to survive. The number of foreign visitors has dramatically decreased, and this resulted in many hotels, restaurants and cafes to lose their businesses. Even though you were able to visit the country, there were a lot of rules that had to be respected.
Even though you may have been able to visit Norway, there were a lot of rules that had to be respected.. Photo: Fusion Medical Animation/Unsplash
Population Of course, as the rest of the countries of the world, people have been confused. Even though it has been expected that most Nordic countries will adapt the same COVID-19 policies, it was surprising to see that Sweden decided to take some different decisions than the rest of the countries.
While everyone else was in a total lockdown, Sweden has kept the doors open for many services. However, it is not to say that that was the best approach, neither the worst. While it might have helped people, psychologically, to know that they can still carry on with their usual daily lives, there were still plenty of restrictions that were only to show that the situation was quickly aggravating, and the high mortality note can confirm it.
Many workers have had to start working from home, and had to learn how to cope with that. Photo: Branimir Balogovic/Unsplash
Businesses Some of the businesses have had a lot to suffer, while others, on the other hand, have thrived during the pandemic.
The main ones have been, no doubt, the businesses in the tourist industry. Owners of hotels and restaurants have gone through probably the worst period of their entire careers. A big part of them have had to shut down entirely, especially smaller, family-owned businesses.
Many workers have had to start working from home, and had to learn how to cope with that. The entire daily routines for most of us has entirely changed.
A large number of businesses have asked their employees to work from home, which has had both positive and negative effects for the overall business. On one hand, working from home has diminished a lot of costs, which was great for employers. On the other hand, in some cases, there has been noticed a big leap in productivity, especially in the beginning of all this, when people had to learn how to manage their time and tasks from home, and still be productive.
The businesses for which the pandemic has brought more workload have been the online businesses, mainly.
The top industry will probably remain Information Technology, and after that comes other businesses that can be done entirely online. For example, the pandemic was a great time for an independent entrepreneur to launch his first online course. Being a writer for an assignment writing service was also a great remote job, as students have not interrupted their studies.
Education Even though Sweden, for example, has adopted a different approach for education, meaning that they have implemented a hybrid where students have gone through a mix of going to school and homeschooling, education has been highly impacted by the pandemic.
It is true that schools remained open even during the lockdowns, but it has also been proven that online school has not been as effective. While many teachers were familiar with distance/remote learning and teaching, some of them were not, and have had a hard time pulling themselves together. Besides the regular teaching skills, school employers had to ensure that teachers also possess the necessary technological skills to be able to conduct their classes using a tablet/computer and specific pieces of software, which has not been easy in some situations.
John Peterson
How COVID-19 Affects Scandinavian Countries is written exclusively for Daily Scandinavian by John Peterson. John is a journalist with 4 years’ experience working in London magazine “Shop&buy”. He is a professional mini-tennis player and he has written a novel “His heart”. He is also one of the free essay writers at a well-known essay writing service. You can find him at fb.
Northern Scandinavians have an obsession with mushrooms, a passion shared with the Russians. In times of famine, they have made up as significant part of the diet in northern Scandinavia – many species picked and used are not even considered good to eat in other parts of the world and by means of salting, pickling and drying, mushrooms can even be preserved through the winter. In southern Scandinavia mushrooming is not so popular, maybe because there are not so many woods to pick them in. Learn more about Scandinavian mushrooms.
Mushrooming is a national pastime in the autumn, every family having their secret places, which they do not share. It’s quite fun if you meet someone in the woods in the mushroom-picking season as they might pretend they are not there at all, and they will try to escape or hide behind trees; or, if anyone encounter is unavoidable, they are definitely not out to pick mushrooms, just walking the dog.
A lot more mushrooms than you might think are edible, and quite tasty at that, but only a few are really delicious. Mushrooms are as much about consistency as they are taste. Many have a lovely flavor, but are too slippery or gummy to be good when roasted.
When you pick a variety, the less good ones can be made into a very tasty soup, while the best should be eaten on their own, in all their glory.
Mushrooming is a national pastime in the autumn, every family having the secret places, which they do not share. Photo: Presetbase Lightroom Presets/Unsplash
The huge northern woods The huge northern woods are home to hundreds of edible mushrooms, and a few deadly ones, if you do not have an experienced mushroom picker or book at your side, it is a dangerous business.
Norwegians and Swedes are taught from childhood what to pick and what not. Since species are easy to find and identify, but, even then, you must take a comprehensive mushroom book with you. I am absolutely not saying this to put anyone off the experience – it’s greatly rewarding – but just to remind you to play safe.
You must also remember that mushrooms vary, and the following descriptions apply strictly to those found in Scandinavia: mushrooms described as safe in Scandinavia, in other parts of the world there may be very similar-looking mushrooms which are poisonous.
Mushrooms can be found everywhere, even on old, withering elders by the sea, and in apparently barren landscapes, but the majority are found in woods in the autumn; the morel is a delicious exception, which shows itself in spring and early summer. Chanterelles can already be found from late June, if it has been raining, and ceps from early August. The season ends with oyster mushrooms, growing by the kilo on broken-down beech logs on the forest floor.
Habitat is very important when determining the identity of mushrooms. A few grow almost anywhere, but the majority live with certain trees, and in certain habitats, which makes it easier to identify them correctly.
Chanterelles. Photo: Nick Grappone/Unsplash
Chanterelles It is safe to pick the abundant chanterelle (Cantharelus cibarius), which I consider to be the best mushroom to eat. It is entirely orange, darker when growing under pine or spruce, lighter when found in oak and beech woods. It grows in huge colonies in both deciduous and coniferous woods.
Its close relative, the horn of plenty or trumpet of death (Craterellus ornucopiodies), is an easily recognized and delicious mushroom. It is black, with a grey bloom, and completely hollow. The folds of very thin flesh look like scalloped leaves about to be drawn into the ground by earthworms only the color betrays them. The name ‘trumpet of death’ refers only to the black color, not to anything more sinister.
Another chanterelle, the yellow-foot (Craterellus tubaeformis), is hard to find as its cap has the color of rotting leaves, but when you do come across it, you will find enough not just for soups and stews, but for drying and pickling as well.
The small but pretty mushrooms form virtual carpets with their bright yellow, twisted stems and pale gills resembling fine lace.
All three types of chanterelle are firm and dry-fleshed, and have a delicious, chewy consistency when cooked. They are also perfect for drying.
Milk-caps. Photo: Wikipedia
Milk-caps The different varieties of milk-cap in the Lactarius genus are recognizable for the fact that they all bleed ‘milk’ when cut. The ‘milk’, actually latex, is often white at first but change color to various shades of yellow, orange and red. There are many, many types of milk-cap, and the best way to determine if they are edible is to taste the milk – if it’s bitter, don’t pick them (though the Finnish and Russians eat most of them). Because of the mushroom’s natural bitterness, milk-caps are often salted in brine, which draws out the bitter juices.
Russulas. Photo: Wikipedia
Russulas There are hundreds of types of mushrooms in the Russula (meaning ‘reddish’) genus. In Scandinavia, russulas are everywhere, their beautiful caps strewn across the ground like brightly colored toys. Despite the genus name, they can be pretty much any color except bright blue: pink, red, burgundy, canary yellow, pistachio green, dark green, black-grey or violet. The gills and stems are usually white, and the fleshy stems have a certain cheesy consistency, with no rings attached, and with no detectable fibre. They are good to eat if they have mild taste; bitter or sharp, peppery ones are not good to eat, or can even be slightly toxic.
Boletus edulis. Photo: Wikipedia
Boletus Boletus mushrooms are visually very different from other varieties. There are no gills, but a spongy layer on the underside of the cap, made up of tiny tubes, which are easy to recognize. Many Boletus mushrooms are particularly good to eat. There are, however, a couple of toxic species (albeit rare) and two extremely bitter ones. The bitter ones are not poisonous, but will ruin the rest of your mushrooms if you cook them together. So take your mushroom book with you on your hunt.
The best known is Boletus edulis, the giant cep or porcini, and the king of mushrooms. It grows to an impressive 30cm in height, and one, fully grown, is enough to feed a whole family. The top is the color and size of a lightly burnt bun, the stalk thick and cream-colored. When young, the mushroom resembles Humpty Dumpty, the cap folded over the fat stem, and this is when it’s at its best. Later, it can still be wonderful, as long as it’s firm-fleshed.
Boletus edulis is abundant in Scandinavia and very much sought after. It is delicious however you cook it, and is the only mushroom besides the button mushroom that you can eat raw. If you want to fry it, do so in plenty of very hot oil or unsalted butter, as any salt in the frying will make it soggy. Fry it at high heat, until barely tender and season with salt and pepper, garlic and plenty of chopped parsley. It’s beautiful on toast, or as an accompaniment to almost anything.
Common morel. Photo: Missouri department of conservation
Morels Mushrooms in the Morchella genus are often found where wood has been cut, even in strange places where you do not expect them, for example among wood shavings used for ground cover in private gardens and public parks.
There are two common species, as well as so-called false morel, in Scandinavia. They are all hollow inside. The black morel (Morchella conica) has the characteristic deeply grooved cap, resembling honeycomb, in the shape of a pointed goblin’s hat. It comes in many shades, from whitish grey to pitch black.
The common or yellow morel (morchella esculenta) is another species, much larger, with yellowish, rounded heads. There is a fairly good chance of finding them from April to June in beech woods, especially where white and yellow anemones grow together, though the wood-shavings that they also grow on can be found anywhere they are spread by man. Yellow morels are not quite as intensely flavored as the black ones, but you are bound to find many of them, and this will more than make up for the disappointment in flavor.
Both these species are poisonous when raw, and will make you sick unless they are thoroughly cooked.
The false morel (Gyromitra esculenta) is not a true morel, and it is poisonous. The toxins are not destroyed completely by either drying or cooking. The cap looks like a twisted brown brain, and it is found in continuous woods from March to June.
When you pick your own mushrooms, just yank them out of the ground. Photo: Artur Aldyrkhanov/Unsplash
Picking mushrooms When you pick your own mushrooms, just yank them out of the ground. The very bottom of the stalk can be the only way to determine a deadly mushroom, as it often carries the remnants of the membrane that covers the entire mushroom when it is young. Clean them straight away, with a small knife and a soft brush. If you wait, the dirt will settle and be very difficult to remove. Place the mushrooms in a basket, not a plastic bag, because the spores can then blow away while you walk through the forest (and initiate new colonies of fungi), and also because they can lie separately in a dry basket, rather than sweating together in plastic.
Don’t mix mushrooms you know to be safe with other interesting mushrooms or an unknown species that you want to check out or sample – collect them in a separate basket. If you actually collect a deadly mushroom, even a small piece will make you very sick. Once at home, go through the unidentified mushrooms with a book or an experienced collector by your side.
Try not to wash the mushrooms; if you have cleaned them while picking, they won’t need it. If you must, however, fill a basin with cold water and wash them very quickly (don’t leave them to soak), then dry them on kitchen paper. Mushrooms should be eaten the day they are collected, though you can fry them in butter and then freeze them.
Bought mushrooms must be very fresh, unblemished and clean. Photo: Meny
Buying and storing The range of mushrooms that can be cultivated successfully is extremely small, which is why such limited variety is available in the shops, often restricted to button, portobello or cremini mushrooms, all versions of Agaricusbisporous. However, the recipe below can be made using bought mushrooms.
Bought mushrooms must be very fresh, unblemished and clean. Fresh, young mushrooms can be kept in the fridge – on a dish covered with a clean tea towel and not in a plastic container – for a few days. The reason for being so careful is that other fungi, or mould, can grow on them, and this can be slightly poisonous, or can just ruin the original mushrooms.
Mushrooms all have the strange ability to add a meaty flavor to other ingredients, and are good in almost all stock soups and vegetable mixtures. Photo: Sundqvist Norge A/S
Culinary uses Mushrooms all have the strange ability to add a meaty flavor to other ingredients, and are good in almost all stock soups and vegetable mixtures. We have some lovely mushroom soups in Scandinavia, and these are the best way to use nondescript common mushrooms. Only ceps and button mushrooms can be eaten raw, and they make a lovely salad, carpaccio-style.
Firm mushrooms can be turned into a versatile pickle, which is good with cold cuts, fried meats, venison and game. They are lovely on a plain green salad when pickled in vinegar with spices and kept in olive oil.
Dried mushrooms have been a staple for millennia: for centuries, drying was the only way to keep mushrooms through the winter, long before salting and pickling. They were often dried over open fire, giving them a smoky flavor which matched the mushrooms’ meatiness perfectly. Dried mushrooms have a strange, alien beauty, and will keep for years if stored in closed jars. They can be crumbled into a stew or used whole.
Both dried and fresh mushrooms are perfect with game and venison, being at their peak season at the same time.
This is a classic wherever people pick mushrooms, and always tastes lovely if prepared carefully. Photo: Meny
Creamed mushrooms on toast This is a classic wherever people pick mushrooms, and always tastes lovely if prepared carefully. You can use chanterelles, button mushrooms or other firm mushrooms, but it does not work with caps. If you should ever tire on this traditional recipe, you can always spice it up by adding wine, onion or garlic.
500-600g button mushrooms or chanterelles, cleaned
25g salted butter
250ml whipping cream
Coarse sea salt and freshly ground pepper
Lots of finely chopped parsley
4 slices sourdough bread, toasted
½ teaspoon lemon juice
Serves 4
Quarter the mushrooms, then fry in the butter, in a thick-bottomed pan at a high heat. Fry until the juices have run and then evaporated and the mushrooms are golden.
Pour in the cream and season with salt, pepper and a little lemon juice, then reduce until the cream is a thick coating on the mushrooms. If this goes too far, and the sauce separates, you can put it back together with a little cold water.
Pile on the toast top with parsley and eat immediately.
Stockholm is built on a total of 14 islands. Each of these has its own uniqueness, its own routines and manners. Södermalm, the old bohemian clave, has its bespectacled hipsters and retired alcoholics, on Skeppsholmen you’ll find wooden boat builders and art academy students, Gamla Stan is famous for its ceramicists and souvenir sellers, and on exclusive Djurgården, yacht owners and amusement park workers share daily routines. Learn more about the 14 islands of the Swedish capital.
The capital of Sweden is virtually situated on the water, built on 14 islands and on the banks to the archipelago where Lake Mälaren meets the Baltic Sea. One-third of the city areal consists of water, another of green space and a final third is entrusted to urbanity. In Stockholm, nothing feels concentrated or clustered and fresh air is in abundance.
Anywhere you go in the historic center of Stockholm, you find yourself at the water’s edge or crossing a bridge from one island to the next. During the two last decades, Stockholm’s global reputation as a city of culture, art, design and fine cuisine has grown enormously. However, at heart it is the same city it has been for over 800 years. Exploring the islands and the unique layout is part of its attraction.
From Beckholmen. Photo: Wikipedia
Beckholmen is a small island in central Stockhom connected by the wooden Beckholmen bridge, originally built in 1848-1858 when the first docks were constructed in Stockholm. It is the only remaining wooden bridge on Stockholm still used by heavy vehicles.
Having served the city’s shipping industry for centuries, Beckholmen is now regarded as a historical monument of national interest, and, by its location just south of Djurgården it also forms part of Royal National City Park, and Stockholms Sjögård (literally, “Sea homestead of Stockholm”), an area of the harbor of Stockholm containing maritime environments of historical interest.
Strömsborg is part of Gamla stan. Photo: Wikipedia
Strömsborg
The small islet is located north of Stadsholmen, and west of Helgeandsholmen, between the bridges Centralbron, a motorway passing through central Stockholm, and Vasabron. Strömsborg is part of Gamla stan, the old town of Stockholm and is connected to the rest of the world by the bridge Strömsborgsbron leading over to Vasabron.
From Stadsholmen. Photo: Visit Stockholm
Stadsholmen
The island is connected to the mainland via several bridges. Together with the small islands of Riddarholmen and Helgeandsholmen it forms Gamla stan, the old town of Stockholm. The name Gamla stan can also refer to the island itself, as the name Stadsholmen is rarely used in daily speech.
Stadsholmen is the location of Stockholm Palace, official residence and major royal palace of the Swedish monarch. The offices of the King, the other members of the Swedish Royal Family, and the offices of the Royal Court of Sweden are located here.
From Kungsholmen. Photo: Wikipedia
Kungsholmen and Långholmen Västerbron, a steel structure from 1935, arches mercilessly towards the sky between Kungsholmen and Långholmen. From the top you have a splendid view over the whole city. From there you can meander further through Stockholm passing the north of Söder (Södermalm) to the right and into Gamla Stan.
From Långholmen. Photo: Visit Stockholm
Riddarholmen «The Knights’ Islet” forms part of Gamla Stan and houses a number of private palaces dating back to the 17th century. The main landmark is the church Riddarholmskyrkan, used as Sweden’s royal burial church from the 17th century to 1950, and where a number of earlier Swedish monarchs also lie buried.
From Riddarholmen. Photo: Wikipedia
The western end of the island gives a magnificent panoramic and photogenic view of the bay Riddarfjärden, often used by TV journalists with Stockholm City Hall in the background. A statue of Birger Jarl, traditionally considered the founder of Stockholm, stands on a pillar in front of the Bonde Palace, north of Riddarholm Church.
Other notable buildings include the Old Parliament Building in the south-eastern corner, the Old National Archive on the eastern shore, and the Norstedt Building, the old printing house of the publisher Norstedts, the tower roof of which is a well-known silhouette on the city’s skyline.
From Helgelandsholmen. Photo: Wikipedia
The small island Helgeandsholmen is located north of Stadsholmen, and east of Strömsborg, with which, together with Riddarholmen, it forms Gamla stan, the old town of Stockholm. The island contains the Riksdag Building and the Museum of Medieval Stockholm, and is connected to neighboring islands through three bridges.
The terrace in the eastern end, called Strömparterren (“The Stream Parterr”), is a public park with a restaurant dating from 1832, while the flight of stairs leading down to the water is from 1807–1810. The quay west of the Riksdag Building once surrounded Sweden’s central bank Sveriges Riksbank and was thus named Bankkajen (“The Bank Quay”), while the streets on southern and northern sides are called Norra/Södra Helgeandstrappan (“The Northern/Southern Helgeand Stairs”), all of them named in 1925.
The historical name for Gamla Stan (Stockholm Old Town) was “The city between the bridges”, a name which is still used for the entire city which spans over numerous islands, islets, and hills. During the course of centuries, the city has seen many bridges relieve each other.
The Old Town is cobbled around the Royal Palace, which is located near Stockholm’s oldest building, Storkyran. The ‘Great Cathedral’ dates to the mid-thirteenth century and features a rich, robust interior with redbrick columns and a whitewashed ceiling.
The traits from the old industrial district on Kungsholmen were swept away in the early 20th century and replaced by housing and public institutions. The residential areas in Fredhäll and Kristineberg were built in the 1930s. The Stockholm metro was drawn through Kungsholmen in the 1950s.
Långholmen can be reached via two bridges, Pålsundbroen in the east and Långholmsbron in the west.
Långholmen is a popular spot for walks, picnics and swimming. The small beaches, located right outside the former prison, are usually crowded in summer.
From Södermalm. Photo: Wikipedia
Södermalm
When leaving Gamla Stan on the way to Södermalm we come to Slussen, a junction of intersecting car and train bridges. When it was constructed in 1935, it was hailed as an infrastructural masterpiece. Now it appears mostly as a monument from an age when traffic was synonymous with increasing prosperity.
Södermalm is connected to its surrounding areas by a number of bridges. It connects to Gamla stan to the north by Slussen and to Långholmen to the northwest by Västerbron.
Södermalm was once known as the “slum” area of Stockholm. However today, Södermalm is known as the home of bohemian, alternative culture and a broad range of cultural amenities. Meanwhile, the growing demand for housing, as well as an increasing gentrification of Stockholm’s central parts, makes apartments in Södermalm more and more difficult or expensive to come by. Thus, what was once a working-class district is now somewhat a district of the privileged.
From Reimersholme. Photo: Wikipedia
Reimersholme
This small island is lying to the west of Södermalm and to the south of the neighboring Långholmen. Its present name refers to Anders Reimer (1727-1816), a hatter and magistrate whose estate can still be found to the east of the island. A wool manufacturing plant, Stockholms Yllefabrik, was built during the 1860s where prisoners from Långholmen Prison used to work.
Reimersholme was not incorporated into the city of Stockholm until 1913. In the 1980s the remaining southern part of the island, previously a site occupied by the alcohol manufacturer Reymersholms Spritförädlings AB, was transformed into a housing area.
From Skeppsholmen. Photo: Wikipedia
Skeppsholmen Positioned strategically at the Baltic Sea entrance to Stockholm, Skeppsholen has traditionally been the location of several military buildings. Today, the military presence is low, and several museums can be found there instead, such as the Museum of Modern Art (Moderna museet), the main modern art museum of Stockholm, the architectural museum in the same building, and the East-Asian museum (Östasiatiska Muséet). On the southern shore is the old sailing ship af Chapman which is now used as a youth hostel. Stockholm Jazz Festival is a popular annual summer event held on Skeppsholmen.
It’s pretty easy to walk most of the central part of Stockholm, trams and boats offer trips further afield. How many islands you visit depends on how long you have in the city.
From Kastellholmen. Photo: Wikipedia
Kastellholmen
Kastellholmen is connected to adjacent Skeppsholmen through the Kastellholmsbron bridge. On the island there is a small castle, Kastellet, which was built between 1846-1848 and designed by the Swedish officer and architect Fredrik Blom.
From Djurgården. Photo: Wikipedia
Djurgården Djurgården is home to many historical buildings, monuments, museums, galleries and the amusement park Gröna Lund and the open-air museum Skansen. Today, the ABBA Museum and the Vasa Museum are two of the most visited museums on Djurgården. There are also extensive stretches of forests and meadows and around the small residential area Djurgårdsstaden you’ll find several yacht harbors. Djurgården is one of the Stockholmers’ favorite recreation areas and tourist destinations alike, attracting over 10 million visitors annually, of which 5 million come to visit the museums and the amusement park.
From Lilla Essingen. Photo: Visit Stockholm
Lilla Essingen
This island is located on Lake Mälaren next to the larger neighboring island Stora Essingen. Both islands (Essingöarna) are mainly residential areas, the smaller densely packed with apartment buildings while the larger is scattered with private houses and, to a lesser extent, apartment buildings. The Essingeleden motorway, part of the European routes E4 and E20, passing over both islands is named after them.
From Stora Essingen. Photo: Wikimedia commons
Stora Essingen
The island is located adjacent to Lilla Essingen on Lake Mälaren. Both Essingen Islands are mainly residential areas. Stora Essingen is scattered with private houses and apartment buildings.
A truly modern metropolis
Today, Stockholm is a world-class city with a wealth of history blended with cutting-edge trends in architecture, art, technology design, fashion and food. Stockholm is a truly modern metropolis with friendly inhabitants that is worth exploration.
The 14 Islands of the Swedish Capital, compiled by Tor Kjolberg
Feature image (on top): From Stora Essingen. Photo: Wikipedia
