A Norwegian Royal Drama From World War II

Tor Kjølberg
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A Norwegian Royal Drama From World War II

During World War II, Norway’s Crown Princess Märtha and her three children fled the Nazis and lived in exile in Bethesda, Maryland. The location was convenient to Washington and to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The crown princess, 39 years old at that time, travelled to USA at the invitation of the American president. The Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation has made a television drama, “Atlantic Crossing”, which has created a massive public debate around artistic liberties, and indignant historians have branded it “fake news”. Read more about the Norwegian royal drama from World War II.

The Crown Princess and the Crown Prince had become close friends with the US President and his wife during a comprehensive tour to the USA in the summer of 1939. The Crown Princess worked assiduously hard to promote Norwegian interests, and their friendship opened doors. Crown Princess Märtha was involved in a wide range of activities, from sending relief aid and participating in relief operations for refugees to paying official visits and giving lectures and speeches.

Related: Scandinavian Royal Line

The US President was happy to welcome his Royal visitors
In 1939, the Norwegian Storting (the parliament) had deep concerns for Norway’s safety and security against Germans on the march.  Crown Prince Olav, a naval officer, became a secret emissary to the US, making several trips to meet with President Roosevelt.

King Haakon, Crown Prince Olav and members of the Norwegian government never surrendered to Hitler. They won asylum in Great Britain and ran the country’s resistance from London, while Crown Princess Märtha and her three children were invited by the US President.

A Norwegian Royal Drama From World War II
‘Atlantic Crossing’ is “Inspired by true events”

FDR was happy to welcome his Royal visitors, and offer the hospitality of the White House, which became their “second home” in the US. Shortly after their arrival, the Norwegian government leased a suitable house (on 140 acres) at Pook Hills, in Bethesda, MD and purchased it outright in 1941. The house was built by Merle Thorpe, the founder and publisher of Nation’s Business magazine.

Those behind the NRK’s seriesstaunchly defend their production, interpretation of events and artistic license
The show suggests that the exact nature of the relationship between the Crown Princess and the US President is shown to be faintly romantic. Due to this relationship Märtha was single-handedly able to convince the president into entering the Second World War, freeing up food, arms and most importantly, soldiers, to join the Allied effort. In one scene, Märtha is seen guiding Roosevelt to declare war on Japan following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, something else that historians have cast heavy doubt on.

A Norwegian Royal Drama From World War II
LOOK TO NORWAY: Crown Princess Märtha in Washington with President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the President’s speech «Look to Norway». His wife Eleanor can be seen in the back to the right. The speech was a tribute to the Norwegian sailors and Little Norway. Photo: Jan Haug

Related: The Norwegian Royal Park in Oslo

“NRK gives viewers a fundamentally untrue story,” wrote history professor Tom Kristensen and royal biographer Tore Rem. The newspaper Aftenposten published a merciless headline, “Atlantic Crossing puts NRK’s credibility in play”.

The Pooks Hill that viewers see in “Atlantic Crossing” is certainly impressive: cream-colored stone, a domed copper roof flanked by reclining figures. However, the actual Tudor design house at Pooks Hill is nothing like the neoclassic 1911 Chateau Kotera in the Czech Republic in which the Pork Hill segments were shot.

A Norwegian Royal Drama From World War II
Crown Princess Märtha sadly passed away from cancer in 1954 before her husband succeeded to the throne.

Those behind the NRK’s series, which has been sold to scores of countries and due to be shown on PBS Masterpiece in the US next spring, staunchly defend their production, interpretation of events and artistic license. They claim that while Norwegians know how Crown Princess Märtha made a major contribution to the war effort, and kept spirits up from abroad, she seldom won widespread recognition for her efforts. The text that is shown at the beginning of each episode states that the ‘Atlantic Crossing’ is “Inspired by true events,” not “This is a documentary.” Märtha was just stateside, remending Americans of the war that was raging across the ocean.

A Norwegian Royal Drama From World War II
Søren Pilmark plays King Haakon in ‘Atlantic Crossing’

A romantic relationship between the President and the Crown Princess has never been proven
Franklin Roosevelt always enjoyed feminine company and companions. If they were young and attractive, so much the better. If they were intelligent – another plus. And if they were gentle tempered, non-demanding and content to bask in the President’s limelight, it was the epitome. Märtha not only embodied all the above, but one additional plus: like FDR (who was twenty years her senior), she had a marvelous sense of humor, according to those who knew her.

Related: The ‘Forgotten Fiasco’ of Norway’, 1940

Märtha was the President’s guest at his home at Hyde Park, and also at Shangra-La, the presidential retreat in Maryland (now called Camp David.) He, in turn, was invited to visit her Bethesda home – particularly on those occasions when Crown Prince Olav had slipped quietly into the country for a brief visit.

Whether or not there was a romantic relationship between the two has never been proven, but witnesses at the time have concluded that Roosevelt did have feelings for the royal, even if not returned. Roosevelt’s son James once stated, ‘There was no question that Märtha was an important figure in father’s life during the war… there is a real possibility that a true romantic relationship developed between the president and the princess.’ Roald Dahl, who was an RAF pilot in Washington at the time wrote, ‘The President has it in his mind that he would like to sleep with her.’

An important time period in our history
In the series, Crown Princess Märtha is played by Swedish actress Sofia Helin and the US President Franklin D Roosevelt is played by American actor Kyle MacLachlan. “It is wonderful to see such an important time period in our history on American television screens every week,” Anniken Krutnes, Norway’s ambassador to the United States, wrote in an email to Answer Man. “I notice a lot of engagement both locally and from people around the country! For me, it enforces what we know to be true, that our two countries were always close and that the experiences during World War II brought us even closer.”

After the war, Märtha and her children (who include current monarch, King Harald) returned to their home, but Märtha sadly passed away from cancer in 1954 before her husband succeeded to the throne.

A Norwegian Royal Drama From World War II, written by Tor Kjolberg

All images © NRK – Drama, except when otherwise stated.

Feature image (on top): US President Franklin D. Roosevelt (1944) and Crown Princess Märtha (1943). Leon Perskie/Franklin D. Roosevelt Library and David Burns/De kongelige samlinger

 

ABBA Goes Live After the Pandemics

Tor Kjølberg
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0
ABBA Goes Live After the Pandemics

After having been closed since November last year, the ABBA Museum in Stockholm reopens on today. The planned ABBA Hologram Tour has also been postponed, but it has now been decided: ABBA goes live after the pandemics this year!

“After being closed for almost 200 days we are now getting ready to reopen and we are really looking forward to welcoming visitors again. We can´t wait to be able to exceed our visitors’ expectations and let them enjoy the music, the magic and the memories of ABBA, to have them once again. We will open in a responsible way and have adapted the museum, due to the pandemic. A visit to ABBA The Museum is safe and secure for both our visitors and our staff,» says Caroline Fagerlind, Museum Director ABBA The Museum.

ABBA Goes Live After the Pandemics
“A visit to ABBA The Museum is safe and secure for both our visitors and our staff,» says Caroline Fagerlind, Museum Director ABBA The Museum.

Related: Related: Thank You For The Music, Abba

She continues: “I´m also glad to share the good news that we have prolonged our popular temporary exhibition MAMMA MIA! Behind The Movie Magic, an exhibition that takes the visitors behind the scenes of movie making, until December this year.»

ABBA Goes Live After the Pandemics
ABBA fans can now look forward to the ABBA Hologram Tour releasing 5 new songs

Related: ABBA – The Museum

ABBA The Museum have a new ticketing system that gives visitors the possibility to cancel their tickets, by themselves, up to 24 hours before their visit, to encourage visitors to stay home if they have any symptoms. To ensure the maximum visitors allowed and keep an even flow in the exhibition the museum uses slot-times and only allow pre-booked tickets online.

ABBA Goes Live After the Pandemics
The group performs as “Abbatars”

Related: Scandinavian Pop Music To Enjoy

ABBA The Museum has installed new hand sanitizer stands that are placed in strategic locations around the museum, plexiglass protection between staff and visitors in the cashiers and visitors will be helped to think about distance and caution by the museum’s staff, markings on the floor and clear signage throughout the museum.

ABBA Goes Live After the Pandemics
From the ABBA Museum

Walk In. Dance Out.

The ABBA 2021 Hologram Tour
ABBA fans can now look forward to the ABBA Hologram Tour releasing 5 new songs. In 2017, it was announced that the band would reunite in digital form in 2019. The group should perform as “Abbatars” for the first time since they split in 1982. As a reward to fans waiting for the reunion due to the COVID-related delays, the group will release 5 new tracks. It will be the first new ABBA music in 35 years!

ABBA Goes Live After the Pandemics
After being closed for almost 200 days, The ABBA Museum in Stockholm is getting ready to reopen

In 1969, musicians Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson met singers Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. Not only did the foursome pair off into couples (Fältskog and Ulvaeus wed in 1971, Lyngstad and Andersson in 1978), they also formed a musical group using the letters of their first names. In 1972, ABBA topped the charts in Sweden.

ABBA released their statement regarding their excitement in their journey, saying: “The decision to go ahead with the exciting ABBA avatar tour project had an unexpected consequence. We all four felt that, after some 35 years, it could be fun to join forces again and go into the recording studio.”

By the mid-1970s, the band was one of the most popular musical groups in the world. Singles such as “Waterloo,” “Dancing Queen” and “Fernando” gained ABBA fans in the U.S., Europe, Australia and elsewhere.

In an interview with The Times, Ulvaeus discussed how Agnetha Faltskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad’s vocals were now in a lower pitch – “about one tone lower, perhaps” – but promised that the sound fans would hear on the tour would still be “very much Abba.” ABBA, however, will appear as their younger selves.

ABBA Goes Live After the Pandemics
Bjorn Ulvaeus reveales how the process was done

Bjorn Ulvaeus revealed how the process was done: “They photographed us from all possible angles, they made us grimace in front of cameras, they painted dots on our faces, they measured our heads. Apparently, a cranium doesn’t change with age the way the rest of your body falls apart.”

About the new songs, Ulvaeus says: “One of them is a pop tune, very danceable. The other is more timeless, more reflective, that is all I will say. It is Nordic sad, but happy at the same time.”

ABBA Goes Live After the Pandemics, compiled by Tor Kjolberg

All photos (if not otherwise noted) © ABBA The Museum.

How To Use A Historical Scandinavian Favorite: Honey

Tor Kjølberg
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3
How To Use A Historical Scandinavian Favorite: Honey

Honey has been a part of Scandinavian history since the time of the Vikings. It is thought that these Norsemen collected honey from wild bees in the forest during their travels. It was an excellent source of energy to fuel their long journeys. Learn how to use a historical Scandinavian favorite: Honey.

The popular drink of the time, Mead is said to have been brewers with honey, water, and yeast. Some historians think it is the oldest alcoholic beverage in history. But honey is not just a food of the past. Today there are infinite ways to use honey. Whether it’s for health, beauty, or taste, Scandinavian honey could have a use, or many, in your life.

How To Use A Historical Scandinavian Favorite: Honey
Whether you’ve had a tough workout or you’re just feeling a bit sore, honey can help

Sore Muscles
Whether you’ve had a tough workout or you’re just feeling a bit sore, honey can help. Honey has anti- inflammatory properties that can help with reducing swelling in the body. This swelling is what often causes the annoying soreness that just won’t go away. Putting a bit of raw honey in your tea or on top of your yogurt will do the trick! This treatment is best paired with other stretching and massaging practices for the ultimate pain relief.

How To Use A Historical Scandinavian Favorite: Honey
Some dentists recommend swapping honey for traditional sugar to make your foods sweeter

Oral Health
We all know that sugar is bad for our teeth. It can cause plaque build-up, rotting, tooth-rotting, and enamel breakdown. But not to fear, there are sugar replacements that can taste just as good. Some dentists recommend swapping honey for traditional sugar to make your foods sweeter. Certain types of honey are said to actually help your teeth. Some of its oral health benefits include antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antioxidant properties. Additionally, honey contains a molecular structure that is easier for the stomach to digest. So, on top of cleaner teeth, your stomach will have a good time as well.

How To Use A Historical Scandinavian Favorite: Honey
Honey has been used for many years as a replacement for cough syrup. Photo: iStock

Cough Syrup
If you’re feeling sick and over-the-counter medications aren’t your thing, there is still hope. Honey has been used for many years as a replacement for cough syrup. Whether it’s mixed with a tea or taken by the spoonful, it’s soothing properties can cause some much-needed relief. One study shows that honey can relieve coughing better than medications with dextromethorphan (DM), a popular ingredient in over-the-counter cough suppressants.

How To Use A Historical Scandinavian Favorite: Honey
If you struggle with dry or brittle hair, honey may be your saving grace. Photo: Schwarzkopf.no

Hair
If you struggle with dry or brittle hair, honey may be your saving grace. As honey is a natural antioxidant, it promotes scalp health and hair growth. It has properties that stimulate the hair follicle resulting in longer and stronger hair. Many people advocate for honey as a hair conditioner. Its moisturizing effects help soften strands. As a humectant, a substance that reduces moisture loss, honey can protect hair from drying out. Its clarifying effects work to thoroughly clean the hair. It gets rid of any gunk that may have built up, leaving your hair shiny and luscious.

How To Use A Historical Scandinavian Favorite: Honey
While it isn’t the miracle cure for acne, honey can help inflamed and irritated skin. Photo: Volvat.no

Acne
While it isn’t the miracle cure for acne, honey can help inflamed and irritated skin. Raw honey has antibacterial properties which can help sooth blemishes and reduce skin inflammation. It contains hydrogen peroxide which works to remove any bad bacteria that could be furthering the redness and irritation. It is important that when using honey as an acne fighter, you opt for the raw variety. While nearly all honey produced in the Scandinavian region is raw, there are some processed kinds out there. Raw honey is natural and unhated, which allows it to keep all of its incredible benefits.

Related: 6 Scandinavian Health Philosophies We Should All Embrace

How To Use A Historical Scandinavian Favorite: Honey
Honey has an acidic pH between 2.2 and 4.5 which helps aid in the healing process. Photo: Honningcentralen-no

First Aid
Aside from cosmetic purposes, honey is a useful substance in first aid. Honey has an acidic pH between 2.2 and 4.5 which helps aid in the healing process. Acidic pHs work promotes the release of oxygen through the blood which speeds up healing. Its acidity also reduces the presence of substances that could impair healing. Its high sugar content draws water out of wounds, which helps in reducing swelling. It encourages the lymphatic system to flow to the wounded area, allowing for a more holistic method of healing. Its ability to fight bacteria that builds up in wounds helps keep the injured area clean and reduces the risk of infection. Its antibacterial properties have helped fight dangerous bacterias like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE).

How To Use A Historical Scandinavian Favorite: Honey Bottom Line
Honey is an incredibly diverse tool that has beneficial properties in many different areas. For centuries, Scandinavian people have turned to the sweet substance for cosmetic, cooking, and healing purposes. The average person most likely has this elixir sitting in their pantry. Give it a try and see what it can do for you!

How To Use A Historical Scandinavian Favorite: Honey
Molly Edwards

How To Use A Historical Scandinavian Favorite: Honey, written exclusively for Daily Scandinavian by Molly Edwards. Molly is a devoted mom, passionate writer, and budding solopreneur. As a mother of two boys, she hopes to inspire parents to stress less and enjoy the big, beautiful world a little more.

Feature image (on top): © Dmitry Grigoriev / Unsplash

Swedish Life Paint Conquers the World

Tor Kjølberg
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0
Swedish Life Paint Conquers the World

Swedish Albedo 100 produces spray paint with a number of application areas: The various spray paints can be applied to textiles, wood, plastic, metal – and fur, something that has created excitement in the North Calotte’s reindeer industry. Learn more about the Swedish life paint that conquers the world.

The Albedo 100 promise is “Be Safe Be Seen”.  The story begins at the end of the 1990s when spray-pant was sold by the founders to family and friends from a small storage in Uppsala, north of Stockholm. The first store opened in the fall of 2001. In order to reach out to the rest of Sweden, the first webstore was released in 2003.

Related: Red Cottages in Sweden

Reflecting reindeer
The second store was opened in Uppsala in 2006, and in 2012, the range of spray-pant was broadened to art supplies and clothes. In 2013, a small group of inventors got together to create a spray on reflector – now called Albedo100! a series of sprays with light-reflective properties that make objects and clothing visible in low-light conditions.

Albedo is in fact a measure of how reflective an object, usually a planet or moon, is – how much of the incident light is reflected by the object. Despite how bright they are, the earth’s albedo is only about 0.3, meaning 30% of light is reflected, and our moon when full is only about 0.5, or 50% of light reflected.

Swedish Life Paint Conquers the World
The Albedo 100 promise is “Be Safe Be Seen”

Related: Doing Business in Sweden

The first viral sharing of the products created a buzz around the globe – it was about reflective reindeer. In 2014, the products were produced in USA to support the demand in Americas and spread through distribution in 13 countries.

The cycling and reflective market
In 2015, Volvo Life Paint was released in UK and caused an international stir in the cycling and reflective market. Same year, Albedo 100 was nominated as one of the 30 best innovations in the world.

Swedish Life Paint Conquers the World
The first viral sharing of the products created a buzz around the globe – it was about reflective reindeer. Here’s a horse sprayed with Albedo 100.

Related: Hand-Made Brushes From Sweden

Albedo100’s spray is a “permanent formula that dries a matte gray and can last up to three months, defying wind, rain, and UV rays.”  It’s intended for use on hard surfaces, and it works best on concrete, metal, stones, and wood.  Spray it directly on your bike frame, walking stick, sports equipment, shoes, or helmet to greatly increase your visibility and safety outdoors at night.

Swedish Life Paint Conquers the World
In 2015, Albedo 100 was nominated as one of the 30 best innovations in the world.

In 2016 distribution expanded to 23 more countries and since then Albedo 100 has conquered the world.

Swedish Life Paint Conquers the World, written by Tor Kjolberg

All images © Albedo 100

365 Daily Norwegian Wooden Spoons

Tor Kjølberg
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0
365 Daily Norwegian Wooden Spoons

The young Oslo-based designer Stian Korntved Ruud (one half of the naturalist design duo Kneip) invested his energies for one whole year into a singular project – hand carving a wooden spoon each day – resulting in 365 daily Norwegian wooden spoons.

Stian Korntved Ruud is an active part of Norway’s thriving design scene. He uses wood and various natural materials in his craft; his varied projects demonstrate what is undoubtedly an intuitive as well as learned understanding of materials and how they can be worked. Hailing from a family of wood lovers, he gets back to basics with a very Norwegian skill indeed; Norway is a country where people have carved in wood and sculpted wooden objects for many generations.

365 Daily Norwegian Wooden Spoons
Stian Korntved Ruud uses wood and various natural materials in his craft

His project from 2014-15 consists of 365 unique hand carved spoons made from various types of wood gathered around the world. The Daily Spoon is a meditation in material – by adding functionality to a piece of wood, Ruud is exploring the boundaries of the material itself while refining his craft.

Related: A Norwegian Artist Reviewing the Magic of Norwegian Stone

365 Daily Norwegian Wooden Spoons
The Daily Spoon is a meditation in material

Stian Korntved Ruud has ”always experimented [with], modified, repaired and destroyed the objects around him.” With a BA in Product Design (Akershus University College, Norway), a MA in Industrial Design (Oslo School of Architecture and Design, Norway) and an internship at Tom Dixon in London, Ruud has a rather formidable academic grounding which he has used in building an assorted portfolio, manipulating materials by employing differing forms and concepts, including video, lighting, product exploration and woodworking along the way.

“By repeating the production of a spoon every day for a longer period of time (365 days) I wanted to challenge and explore a spoon’s aesthetic and functional qualities,” he says.

365 Daily Norwegian Wooden Spoons
“I make all the spoons in a traditional way with only hand tools,” says the artist.

Related: The Classic Norwegian Sweater That Became a Fashion Hit

Anyone who has ever tried their hand at carving wood can appreciate the patience, dexterity and vision it takes to wrought a defined shape from an organic material full of knots, holes and disparities. For the duration of the project, Ruud was a one-man wooden spoon factory:

“I make all the spoons in a traditional way with only hand tools. The point of this is to actively cooperate with the material, in this case wood. In a modern industrial production, the machines overwrite the wooden structures and natural growth pattern. When using manual hand tools my hands collaborate with the wood structure during the forming process. This underpins all the spoons’ unique qualities,” he explains.

365 Daily Norwegian Wooden Spoons
“Resonating forks” (2019)

Related: The Unknown Story of Norwegian Hardanger Flatware

Every spoon begins life as an idea or sketch. Dependent upon the intricacy of a design, a spoon can take from half an hour to three hours to carve. The resulting forms are a dexterous and insightful mélange of wooden spoon implements consisting of different shapes and a number of potentially exotic uses.

The project was purchased by KODE Art Museums, Bergen in 2015. A signed print (limited edition of 250) of the whole collection is available at the Kneip webshop.

365 Daily Norwegian Wooden Spoons
Candleholder (2020)

More recent works by Stian Korntved Ruud include his “resonating forks” (2019), candle holder (2020).

365 Daily Norwegian Wooden Spoons, written by Tor Kjolberg

All photos © Stian Korntved Ruud

The Adventure Capital of Norway

Tor Kjølberg
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0
The Adventure Capital of Norway

The village of Voss lies next to Lake Vangsvatnet and is the administrative center of the municipality. The 2,042-square-kilometer (788 sq ml) municipality is the 35th largest by area of Norway’s 356 municipalities with a population of 15,740, which is 8 inhabitants per square kilometer (21 sq ml). Throughout the whole year, Voss offers a large assortment of activities that you can choose from, consequently it has been nicknamed the adventure capital of Norway. 

Voss is just about an hour’s drive from Bergen, and situated in the middle between the Sognefjord and the Hardangerfjord, prepare to be amazed by the contrasts. One moment it`s all about the adrenaline and amazing activities, the next about relaxing in the finest of natural landscapes.

The Adventure Capital of Norway
Voss climbing park. Photo: Erik Østli

Related: Extreme Sports Week in Norway

The Voss district makes full use of its surroundings to attract visitors, who come in summer for fjord excursions, mountain walking, parachuting, hang-gliding and paragliding from Hangurfjell, and fishing and watersports on Vangsvatnet.

The Adventure Capital of Norway
The brand-new Voss Gondol, that is located by the train station will take you to the top of Mount Hanguren all year round.

Related: Indoor Skydiving in Norway

In winter, everything changes, and Voss becomes one of the best centers for Alpine and cross-country skiing. At 610 meters (2,000ft), the top station of the Hangurfjell cable can give one of the best prospects of Voss in its bowl-shaped valley.

The Adventure Capital of Norway
The Voss district makes full use of its surroundings to attract visitors

Voss is globally known as the “estreme sports village”, and you’re invited to try everything from skydiving to rafting in safe conditions. In summer and autumn, you can spend a lifetime exploring the various hikes in the mountains. Voss has two ski resorts, and the brand-new Voss Gondol, that is located by the train station will take you to the top of Mount Hanguren all year round.

The Adventure Capital of Norway, written by Tor Kjolberg

Feature image (on top): Rafting in Voss

All images © Fjord Tours

Launching SCANDINAVIAN monthly

Tor Kjølberg
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0
Launching SCANDINAVIAN monthly

We are now proud to introduce a monthly edition of Daily Scandinavian, containing all the daily stories plus special offers and much more. We invite all readers of Daily Scandinavian to subscribe for free. Our aim is, as it has always been, to provide good advice on Scandinavian destinations and attractions as well as presenting informative stories about Scandinavian issues and people in an easy and entertaining way. Launching SCANDINAVIAN monthly, we feel like real Scandinavian ambassadors.

Our demographic target group is people with higher education, interested in travel in general, and in particular Scandinavian destinations, history, art, business, food and society. We call us the real Scandinavian ambassadors because to us Scandinavia is a fascinating region as a tourist destination as well as a region of historical interest with a multifaceted culture with high democratic values.

Launching SCANDINAVIAN monthly
Editor-in-chief Tor Kjolberg interviewing founder and CEO of Fotografiska, Stockholm Janne Bromann

SCANDINAVIAN monthly will bring you information on new travel destinations, the latest in fashion, music and food & drink etc. right into your mailbox every month.  Columns emphasizing on business, people, design and much more will hopefully over time make SCANDINAVIAN monthly one of the most read Scandinavian magazines out there.

Launching SCANDINAVIAN monthly
SCANDINAVIAN monthly will bring you information on new travel destinations, the latest in fashion, music and food & drink etc. right into your mailbox every month.

You might also like to read: 8 Reasons Why You Should Date a Scandinavian

SCANDINAVIAN monthly is hoping to steer clear of many of the negative stereotypes that perpetuate the media around daily news stories. Editor Tor Kjolberg emphasizes that the magazine is made for “people who are engaged and interested in exploring the world of the Scandinavians and want to be updated on new attractions and accommodation as well as on cultural events and business news.”

SCANDINAVIAN monthly will nevertheless not shy away from tackling contemporary, challenging topics, with the first issue exploring how small Scandinavian hotels and destinations can benefit from a stream of Chinese travelers.

You might also like to read: Top 7 Books Written About Scandinavia

Can its audience commit?
The competition among digital magazines has become tough over time often because of smaller demographic groups or people reading less. SCANDINAVIAN monthly has a big advantage here as the group of people interested in traveling the world is growing and if the subject matter is presented well will embrace a magazine aimed specifically for them.

Launching SCANDINAVIAN monthly
Our chief designer, Niña Karla Bacos, believes that a digital magazine stands a fighting chance here as this demographic are the most committed and loyal readers.

Our chief designer, Niña Karla Bacos, believes that a digital magazine stands a fighting chance here as this demographic are the most committed and loyal readers. “Most people who like to read, are now choosing to read eBooks or digital magazines. We created SCANDINAVIAN monthly with a neat and modern look to make it easy to read while being pleasing to the eyes,” she says.

Niña Karla Bacos is an experienced graphic designer from the Philippines. She graduated from the well-known Far Eastern University in her country with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts and a major in advertising. She once joined a student competition named ArtPetron and won as a runner up in photography category. She began working as an on-call graphic designer while studying and continuing her career after graduating. After 6 years of working for various local companies, she decided to embark on freelancing in 2019. Today, she has native as well as international clients.  As a freelancer, she is expanding her knowledge and familiarizing herself with digital marketing and social media.

You might also like to read: 7 Fun Facts About Scandinavia

“For an extensive period of time I searched for a designer not only experienced in visual design but also with an understanding of digital marketing,” says Kjolberg. “Of the final three candidates only Nina Karla Bacos was well-suited for the task.”

Launching SCANDINAVIAN monthly
SCANDINAVIAN monthly will have a growing digital presence and is off to a strong start in several platforms

SCANDINAVIAN monthly  will have a growing digital presence and is off to a strong start in several platforms, sharing articles on successful businesspeople, artists, influencers to follow and ways to learn about the growing popularity of the Nordic region.

We’re planning to run competitions on social media to drive audience growth, offering hotel stays and Scandinavian gifts to tempt new readers to subscribe.

SCANDINAVIAN monthly  will soon also have its own section of selected Scandinavian web-shops, selling everything from accommodation to food and art.

You are welcome to subscribe for free here and receive our 100+ pages e-book 100 Scandinavian …as a thank you subscription gift. SUBSCRIBE HERE.

Launching Scandinavian monthly

It’s All About Well-Being at Swedish Spa Hotel

Tor Kjølberg
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0
It’s All About Well-Being at Swedish Spa Hotel

In the middle of a regional park and just 3 km from the University of Skövde in West-Sweden you find the family friendly spa hotel First Hotel Billingehus. But even if it’s all about well-being at this Swedish spa hotel, it is much more than a classic spa.

First Hotel Billingehus is located on Billingen hilltop, where you can enjoy panoramic views of Skövde and the West Swedish nature. The hotel is a great choice for conferences, events, active weekends and relaxing getaways in all seasons.

It’s All About Well-Being at Swedish Spa Hotel
You can enjoy a meal in the restaurant

Related: Outstanding Swedish Spa Experience

After a day on the slopes, you can enjoy recreational amenities including a health club and a sauna. Additional amenities at this hotel include complimentary wireless Internet access, gift shops/newsstands, and a fireplace in the lobby.

Sport is also a very important component of their range of offerings. The facility can offer customers a real boost of healthiness. Explore the wide selection of activities, both at the hotel and its surroundings. Find hiking trails, jogging tracks, 12-hole golf course, and skiing opportunities, or visit Arena Skövde Äventyrsbad or Skara Sommerland.

It’s All About Well-Being at Swedish Spa Hotel
A spa hotel where guests can enjoy taking care of themselves and relief from stress

Related: An Extraordinary Swedish Spa Hotel

You can enjoy a meal at the restaurant, or stop in at the snack bar/deli. Unwind at the end of the day with a drink at the bar/lounge or the poolside bar. A complimentary buffet breakfast is served on weekdays.

The hotel was opened in 1970 after a major investment by Arne Sandberg, the owner of the popular gas station chain UnoX. 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 at the same place.

It’s All About Well-Being at Swedish Spa Hotel
First Hotel Billingehus, with 230 guestrooms, is the perfect starting point for exploring what Skövde and Billingen have to offer

Related: Spa Well-Being – the Swedish Way

First Hotel Billingehus, with 230 guestrooms, is the perfect starting point for exploring what Skövde and Billingen have to offer. The hotel is not only the ideal place for companies, but also for families with children of all ages.

It’s All About Well-Being at Swedish Spa Hotel written by Tor Kjolberg

All images © First Hotel Billingehus

Denmark’s Love Island

Tor Kjølberg
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Denmark’s Love Island
A sleepy little island on the southern edge of Denmark called Ærø is one of Europe’s most popular romantic destination for weddings and honeymoons. Learn more about Denmark’s love island.

Ærø measures roughly 20 km from northwest to southeast and varies in width from around 4 to 8 km. There are three small towns on the island. in 2020, the largest is Marstal with a population of 2,111. Ærøskøbing has 942 inhabitants and Søby 438. Fourteen villages and a number of farms complete the island’s pattern of settlement.

Denmark’s Love Island
Lovers from all over the world flock to this tiny Danish island every year to get married. Photo: Visit Denmark
Lovers from all over the world
The island consists of approximately 7,000 residents, 350 deer, no crosswalks, seven pastors, three police officers – and a pervasive passion for the environment. Ærø has one of the world’s largest solar power plants.

Related: 8 Reasons Why You Should Date a Scandinavian

Lovers from all over the world flock to this tiny Danish island every year to get married, and the place is Ærøskøbing, a most romantic town most people never has heard about.

Ærøskøbing, with its narrow lanes and picturesque 18th-century houses was historically Ærø’s chief town, and remains the primary port for ferry connections. Marstal, also known as the “skipper village”, from its being the home of so many sailors and captains, is the island’s largest town today and is its principal commercial and shopping center.

Denmark’s Love Island
From Marstal, Ærø. Photo: Wikipedia
Loved-up tourists
Ærøskøbing plays host to loved-up tourists year-round, but particularly in summer when its dainty shores give way to blue horizons where Skjoldnæs Lighthouse twinkles from the northern tip of the island and the ferries chug the calm, one-hour journey to mainland Svendborg.

Related: The Ultimate Jaw-Dropping Scandinavian Wedding Destinations

Colorful houses set the scene for ceremonies and rituals while smooth, moss-covered rocks peep through the water’s surface out across the waves. There is a several kilometer long stretch of 33 meter-high cliffs at Voderup Klint on the west coast. Ærø is a popular destination for hikers and bikers, and the beaches attracts anglers and artists.

Picturesque Ærøskøbing is also often called the “fairytale town” with its artisanal grocery shops and boutiques alongside pubs with roaring hearths, ark-wood dining rooms, whitewashed walls and tall taper candles. You’ll also find design-conscious boutique hotels and untouched 70s gas stations. I think best of all, there are no chain stores here!

Denmark’s Love Island
Aeroøping beachhouses.
Romantic and old-fashioned
The post office dates to 1749 and each evening in the dark season cast-iron gaslights create a feeling of being set centuries back in time. Ærø is also favored by particularly fine weather. It enjoys a higher number of sunshine hours than the average for the rest of Denmark, and the year-round temperature is also a few degrees above the national average.

Related: Love and Relationships in Scandinavia

Typical for Ærø are also the many U-shaped farmhouses. The three sides block the wind to create a sheltered little courtyard. Near the center of the island, at Olde Mølle, one of Denmark’s sculptor’s, Erik Brandt, has created a “peace bench” which should invite people to think about world peace while looking over the island and the sea.

While on Ærø, don’t miss the gingerbread-like house in which you find the Arnfeldt Hotel & Restaurant, run by Copenhagen transplants Katrine and Morten Arnfeldt. The food is excellent and the atmosphere is enhanced by stark white walls softened by blush-pink, powder-blue and taupe fabrics, not to mention Arne Jacobsen swan chairs, tapestries and lamps. The hotel’s rooms are situated up creaky wooden stairs. In this darling little hotel you can stay overnight in the heart of it all and embrace the concept of slow living.

Denmark’s Love Island
Nørregade in Ærøskøbing. Photo: Wikimedia
Just a ferry ride from the “real world”
Throughout the island you’ll notice the century old churches. But for lovers coming to the island to get married they have probably arranged it all through Louise Badino Moloney’s wedding-planning agency Danish Island Weddings established in 2008. On her webside you can read:

“Denmark is the easiest place in Europe to get married – and Ærø island is without a doubt the most charming!

Only a one hour ferry ride from the “real world”, it is the perfect getaway with its gentle rolling countryside, the historic town of Ærøskøbing, and spectacular sea views in every direction.

We are honoured to have helped nearly 2900 couples from 177 different countries get married in Denmark».

On Ærø, small is beautiful, sustainability just common sense – and love is in the air.

Denmark’s Love Island, written by Tor Kjolberg

Feature image (on top): Photo: Married in Denmark

2021 Scandinavian Interior Design Trends You Need to Know

Tor Kjølberg
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2021 Scandinavian Interior Design Trends You Need to Know

Over the last year, homeowners around the world have been spending more time indoors as we practice social distancing while fighting off COVID-19. While it is not the ideal situation, it has resulted in many people looking around their houses with an eye on updating the decor. Whether you are purchasing a new home or you are just looking to spruce up your existing space, here are the 2021 Scandinavian interior design trends you need to know.

Popular Scandinavian designs include minimalist but functional spaces, neutral colors that bring out the brightness of any room, and a focus on lighting for those darker days. Below we will discuss some of these trends to give you a better idea of how you may improve your own home in the new year.

2021 Scandinavian Interior Design Trends You Need to Know
As with previous years, the color trends of Scandinavian design continue to be earthy and neutral tones. Photo: Jotun Norway

Start with Neutral Colors
Before we get into the trends, it is important to mention that you don’t have to go big by redecorating or remodeling your home all at once, especially if money is a concern. Instead, you can go room by room and make adjustments as time and funds allow. To make the process easier, it is recommended that you create a budget that takes into account all potential costs, including materials and labor. Once you know for sure that you have the funds to continue, do your research about how to best go about the project and bring in friends to help if possible.

As with previous years, the color trends of Scandinavian design continue to be earthy and neutral tones. In fact, earthy tones are a trend around the globe right now because they mimic the feeling of being outdoors while you are in your cozy home, which is especially important for those working from home. Neutral colors have many other benefits as well, including creating the illusion of a larger space and providing a wider appeal to buyers, so if you ever plan to sell your home, you will be ahead of the curve.

Some of the hottest neutral tones in style right now include the hues of India yellow and dead salmon. Gray is also making a big comeback. Warm and rustic colors like natural clay, earthy brown, and even the muted desert pink are very popular. The trick is to work these colors together in the walls, floors, and furniture. If you like a little more brightness, look for a natural blue, which is also a big hit this year.

2021 Scandinavian Interior Design Trends You Need to Know
The central core behind most Scandinavian design is simplicity, both with the neutral tones and the furniture that fills the rooms

Simple Style
The central core behind most Scandinavian design is simplicity, both with the neutral tones and the furniture that fills the rooms. Going forward in 2021, this simplicity will be paired with function, especially for storage. The idea is to get rid of any filler so you only see what you use and clutter is virtually non-existent. To meet this trend, ottomans in neutral colors in the living room should store accessories like remote controls and magazines. In the bedroom, nightstands can store medication and other knick-knacks.

2021 Scandinavian Interior Design Trends You Need to Know
Going forward in 2021, this simplicity will be paired with function, especially for storage. Photo: Kvik

In the family room, simple furniture including couches, chairs, and loveseats should stay with the trend of neutral colors of creams, greens, and light pinks. Thick cushions provide absolute comfort but also grace in design, as is the case in the models shown here. While the trend is simplicity, you don’t want to have an empty room. Instead, go for a couple of seating options with a couch and chair and a side table and main table. For tables, the latest trends show birch plywood and beech construction to be the go-to.

Simple style is important in the bedroom as well. Bright white bedding is king right now, as are storage compartments underneath for clothing and other items you don’t want laying around. Big open windows are key here as well to bathe the room in that welcoming morning light. White flooring completes the bright appearance.

Lighting is Key
As 2021 surges along, strong and stylish lighting will continue to be a big trend. There are only so many hours of daylight to play with, so smart design choices will maximize the lighting during the day and keep your space well-illuminated during the darker hours. Large windows in all rooms continue to be the trend. Out are heavy drapes, and instead, undressed windows, or at most, light sheers are desired.

2021 Scandinavian Interior Design Trends You Need to Know
As 2021 surges along, strong and stylish lighting will continue to be a big trend. Above: Balance wall landscape from Northern. Photo: Chris Tønnesen

To help that natural light illuminate your rooms, other design trends are seeing a resurgence. One is the use of ornament candle holders that are easily mounted on a wall in the living rooms and bedrooms, which make for a classy yet traditional look that is functional and impressive to guests. The use of mirrors is also key to bounce both natural and artificial light around the room. While hanging mirrors are always a given, mirrors that sit on the floor and lean against the wall are also seeing a resurgence.

Standalone lighting is also popular these days, especially fixtures that create pools of light throughout the residence. Floor lamps of simplistic style provide great light and are made even better when paired with a dimmer. Bowed and arching lamps are great choices as they are unobtrusive, and they can be easily placed behind a couch to provide general illumination or task lighting for reading.

In essence, Scandinavian interior design is all about maximizing natural light with strong fixtures partnered with neutral colors and simple furniture choices. The new trends discussed here will make for a wonderful and comfortable residence.

2021 Scandinavian Interior Design Trends You Need to Know
Beau Peters

2021 Scandinavian Interior Design Trends You Need to Know, written exclusively for Daily Scandinavian by Beau Peters. Beau is a creative professional with a lifetime of experience in service and care. As a manager, he has learned a slew of tricks of the trade that he enjoys sharing with others who have the same passion and dedication that he brings to his work. When he is not writing, he enjoys reading and trying new things. Check out his website Stories by Beau Peters.

Feature image (on top): Photo by Røros Tweed

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