Jacob’s Church (Original name St. James Church) of Culture in the capital of Norway was designed by architect Georg Andreas Bull and built in 1889. It lost its role as a parish church in 1985 and fell into disrepair before becoming the site for illegal raves. In 2000 the building was granted a reprieve by an Oslo-based record company (Kirkelig kulturverksted) and converted into an unusual cultural venue that’s also part museum of ecclesiastical art.
Kulturkirken Jacob is a neo-Gothic church, typical of many in Scandinavia. It is known for its surprisingly large capacity (up to five hundred worshipers) and excellent acoustics. As a result, the church has forged a reputation as a venue for cultural events – hence the name ‘kulturkirken’.
On 18 February 2000, after14 years of hard work, the church was resurrected and reopened in its new format
On 18 February 2000, after14 years of hard work, the church was resurrected and reopened in its new format, a professional cultural arena, still with strong ties to Lutheran Christianity and with the best sound and lighting system you are likely to find in any church.
The church is named after the Apostle James (the Great), in Norwegian language, Apostelen Jacob. The building hosts concerts, art exhibitions and plays. Many events carry a religious context, but the church is keen to promote local and global art and culture, regardless of its religious ties.
The altar piece of the building was painted in Rome 1880-81 by Eilif Peterssen and shows the adoring shepherds. In the porch hangs a relief of the Archangel Michael. Its neo-Gothic colonnaded interior still retains its original carved woodwork and the apse is now a softly candlelit venue for performances of contemporary dance, drama, and concerts.
Kulturkirken is a professional cultural arena, still with strong ties to Lutheran Christianity
Galleries are held in a 250 square meter exhibition room, with a bar attached. The church’s main hall, 18 meters in height, has proved a popular concert venue. While the church may look like many others around Oslo, what goes on inside the redeveloped building make it a unique attraction.
Depending on preferences, the church can provide anything from small intimate settings to a grand, scenic concert hall housing as many as 530 guests. Every Sunday night at 10pm from September through April there is a special Jacob mass in flickering candlelight where professional musicians collaborate to create a church service unlike any other.
Sound and lighting play a big role in these services, which has run continuously since the church reopened 20 years ago. The church is one of the few pure churches of culture, with performances of theater, dance and other cultural expressions. The basement has showrooms for exhibitions.
Be sure and check out the calendar of events on their website.
During the German occupation of Norway from 1940 to 1945, Hitler wanted to build an “Aryan” society with gleaming highways and ideal cities. The Nazis wanted to reshape occupied Norway with a remarkable building campaign.
In a new book, HITLER’S NORTHERN UTOPIA: Building the New Order in Occupied Norway, published by Princeton University Press, Despina Stratigakos tells the story of how Nazi architects and planners began to build a Nordic empire in Norway during World War II. Under the swastika, Hitler and his planners envisioned a modern world and began to reconstruct Norway, and the Nazis wasted no time leaving their mark as the Greater German Reich expanded and stretched beyond the Arctic Circle.
Despina Stratigakos tells the story of how Nazi architects and planners began to build a Nordic empire in Norway during World War II
Despina Stratigagos tells the largely unknown story of how German occupiers transformed Norway into a vast construction zone and turned the Scandinavian country into a racial utopia. Architect Albert Speer and other Nazi leaders believed they would improve their genetic stock and confirm their destiny as a new order of Vikings.
The construction campaign involved building ideal new cities as well as a scenic superhighway stretching from Berlin to northern Norway. The Nazis believed that Norwegians were racially, although not culturally, superior to Germans.
With ambitious architecture and infrastructure projects, Hitler sought to literally and figuratively build bridges to Norway’s citizens, bringing them into the fold of his Greater German Reich.
Despina Stratigagos tells the largely unknown story of how German occupiers transformed Norway into a vast construction zone and turned the Scandinavian country into a racial utopia
Drawing on extraordinary unpublished diaries, photographs, and maps, as well as newspapers from the period, Hitler’s Northern Utopia tells the story of a broad range of completed and unrealized architectural and infrastructure projects far beyond the well-known German military defenses built on Norway’s Atlantic coast. A plan to create quintessential National Socialist communities out of twenty-three towns damaged in the German invasion, was an overhaul Norwegian architects were expected to lead.
In spite of the official building campaign, the most ambitious scheme – a German cultural capital and naval base – remained a closely guarded secret for fear of provoking Norwegian resistance.
The Nazis began to develop sweeping plans for the transformation of Norway within months of the April 1940 invasion. Photo: Architectural Digest
The Nazis began to develop sweeping plans for the transformation of Norway within months of the April 1940 invasion. The Nazis had also no intention of withdrawing, even as they publicly promised the Norwegians that the occupation was only a temporary measure to “protect” them from British aggression.
Despina Stratigakos’ book conveys a gripping story of the rise of a Nazi landscape in occupied Norway. Hitler’s Northern Utopia reveals a haunting vision of what might have been – a world colonized under the swastika.
Feature image (on top) Albert Speer and Adolf Hitler. Photo: World Architecture
The Nazis Wanted to Reshape Occupied Norway, written by Tor Kjolberg
Saying that COVID-19 changed the way we do business would be a serious understatement. The coronavirus pandemic totally disrupted traditional business patterns and seriously affected companies of all forms and sizes. What is the Future of Small Business in Norway After COVID-19?
However, it looks like small businesses in Norway are struggling the most. Almost 20% of Norwegian enterprises experience a substantial risk of bankruptcy, while 23% claim they lack money to pay bills that are due shortly. Other reports prove the same trend, but the only thing that matters is that small and medium-sized firms are hurt.
So, what exactly is the future of small business in Norway after COVID-19? The answer to that question depends on two factors – the Government’s response to the crisis and your ability to adapt to new market conditions. In this post, we will analyze both factors and explain the impact of coronavirus on the Norwegian business sector.
It is important to notice that Norway saw the first COVID-19 patient back in February
How Does the Government Respond to the Crisis? The first part of the puzzle comes from state authorities that issued a whole set of measures to support small business owners and their employees.
It is important to notice that Norway saw the first COVID-19 patient back in February, so the Government reacted promptly and defined a series of business assistance mechanisms. They already issued four economic packages in March and April, but we will focus on the latest support plan that was adopted in late May 2020.
Norway issued four economic packages in March and April
We are not going to discuss each measure individually, but rather concentrate on the most notable solutions related to small businesses:
The Government approved about $400 thousand for businesses ready to bring back temporarily laid-off workers.
The same amount has been granted to construction companies to support their activities.
The Government has provided help for seasonal businesses unable to prevent significant revenue decreases.
The Government approved about $400 thousand for businesses ready to bring back temporarily laid-off workers
There is also the so-called green transition support scheme worth around $100 thousand.
Norway supports education-related organizations with $100 thousand.
Jake Gardner, a business analyst at UK dissertation, adds that local authorities also decided to activate a number of tax-relief mechanisms to help endangered companies: “For example, it is possible to postpone VAT and wealth tax payments.”
It is important to notice that the Government of Norway designed a special guarantee plan for banks, so entrepreneurs can land money without the fear of not being able to pay it off.
How Small Businesses Can Respond to the Crisis? Now you know what the Government of Norway did to support small business owners, but it is also important to learn what you can do to prepare for the post-coronavirus market. We have five practical tips for you:
Local authorities also decided to activate a number of tax-relief mechanisms to help endangered companies
See what you can get from the Government In case you haven’t done it already, now is the right time to check the Government’s grants and support schemes. Consult with state officials to see how your business fits in and what you can get from all the funds provided by the system. It’s the first step you should take because it guarantees to keep your business alive during the crisis.
Try to move your business online Some companies will not find this tip to be very practical, but the majority of small businesses can indeed move their operations online. If you are running a physical store selling tangible products, there is always the chance to build an eShop and keep doing the same sort of business.
The situation is even simpler for small businesses offering a specific service. You can do it on the Internet and keep in touch with the clients through online conferencing platforms.
If you are running a physical store selling tangible products, there is always the chance to build an eShop
Focus on loyal customers According to the famous Pareto principle, only 20% of customers make 80% of your sales. This is why we recommend focusing on loyal clients who represent the core of your business.
Do your best to assure them that nothing serious is happening with the firm during the pandemic and help them realize that there is nothing to worry about. You will continue working as usual and keep delivering as promised.
Strengthen digital marketing activities People in isolation spend much more time on the Internet, so you ought to strengthen digital marketing activities as soon as possible. Learn where your customers are active online and serve them with some high-quality content.
For example, you can probably reach them via location-based Google ads or through your social media pages. The only thing that matters here is not to waste time and money on irrelevant communication platforms.
Prepare for market changes The last suggestion is to be ready for the new business environment once the pandemic is over. Some small businesses will fade away and some consumers will switch brands, so do your best to react on time and handle the changes properly.
People in isolation spend much more time on the Internet
What is the Future of Small Business in Norway After COVID-19? The Bottom Line Coronavirus initiated a gigantic disruption in our personal and professional lives, but it seems to be hurting small businesses the most. While it is true that entrepreneurs still don’t know when the whole mess is going to end, they can certainly make the first move and find sustainable ways to adjust to the situation.
In this article, we showed you a brief overview of measures the Norwegian Government has issued to help small businesses. We also discussed a few practical steps your company could take to overcome the existing problems.
Are you ready to react and adjust to the post-coronavirus business environment? Let us know in the comments!
John Peterson
What is the Future of Small Business in Norway After COVID-19? is written exclusively for Daily Scandinavian by John Peterson. John Peterson 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”. You can find him at fb.
Swedish fashion has gone from everyday gray minimalism to glittering creations for the elite. Swedish fashion of today also offers haute couture. Here’s your ultimate guide to Swedish fashion
With a history of quality and clean design, Swedes have always had an inherent sense of style, either it’s about having an eye for timeless vintage, appreciation of delicious denim or in recent years, being part of the haute couture family of designers.
The Swedisg Fashion Miracle
The Swedes speak of the Swedish “modeundret” or “modemiraklet” which means the Swedish fashion miracle, which is said to have begun with the jeans companies Acne and Nudie. Fashion is a big part of daily life in Sweden and Swedes spend an awful lot of time to worry about what to wear.
Step off the plane in Sweden and it’ll hit you like a sack of potatoes: Swedes have style. Fashion is a big part of daily life here and for a nation that’s famously open about nudity, locals spend an awful lot of time worrying about what to wear.
Utility without function
“Utility without function”, said Hernández Corner about his collection in the spring of 2013. It is a good description of the uniformed everyday style Swedish fashion is known for. Functionalism that is not functional, and sober minimalism that is sometimes affected by artistic delirium. In addition, there’s often imitations of what is happening in the big fashion metropolises.
Swedish design has traveled across the globe, with household names like H&M and Acne dominating most high streets and fashion weeks, although they have always kept their “Nordic coolness”. The Swedes were certainly not born looking stylish. However, H&M gave the Swedes – and the world – plenty of affordable fashion stores and in big cities like Stockholm there’s a thriving market for vintage and second-hand clothing.
Your Ultimate Guide to Swedish Fashion However, something has happened. The Swedish “clothes for everybody” philosophy, with roots in the building of social democracy, had to give way to something else: unique garments for the elite. Possibly it began when the fashion duo Altewai Saome debuted in 2011 and refined craftmanship was woven into the garments. It was an exclusivity that seemed so foreign that the designers themselves called it “un-Swedish”. As if it was impossible to imagine such a sophisticated style in folksy Sweden. Did this woman really exist in reality?
In this guide, we’re diving into all things Swedish fashion, from denim brands and retro clogs to designer splurges with links to their websites. We checked and updated this list in August 2020. We have not included brands that seemed inactive.
Acne studios
ACNE STUDIOS
Acne Studios is a Stockholm-based fashion house with a multidisciplinary approach. Through founder and Creative Director Jonny Johansson’s interest in photography, art, architecture and contemporary culture, an alternative path has been found, turning Acne Studios into a well-respected creator of ready-to-wear, magazines, furniture, books and exhibitions.
ARKET
As a member of the H&M family, ARKET offers contemporary and quality basics and essential products, plus trend-driven pieces that can fit in a capsule wardrobe. There is an emphasis on recycling (in production but also through an in-store incentive to return old clothes) and transparency, as ARKET lists its suppliers openly onsite.
ASKET
Aiming to slow down consumption with their “meaningful essentials”, ASKET creates beautiful basics designed to last. They’re fully transparent and offer a traceability percentage for each garment, working towards full traceability.
ATP ATELIER
Super chic leather goods, all handcrafted in Italy. Ethically sourced, sophisticated women’s shoes (and bags) are all in line with the brand’s Smart Luxury ethos: inspiring women to make smart choices – both for themselves and for the sake of the world they live in.
Bjørn Borg
BJÖRN BORG
Hitting the sweet spot between athleisurewear and Royal Tenenbaum fancy dress, the eponymous brand from the 70s tennis star and heartthrob is full of athletic performance wear, athleisure, and undergarments.
BOOB
Boob’s patented nursing collection has become a favourite among mothers all over the world. Today Boob makes clothes for all stages of motherhood, with smart double function for pregnancy and nursing.
BOOMERANG
Boomerang, from Stockholm, produces colourful and natural basics for the whole family, including children. It was founded in 1976.
CARIN WESTER
Carin Wester designs classic and casual fashion. She uses playful substances in very subtle colors, as well as black, white and grey. Is sold through the Zalando online store.
CHAMBERS
The story started in 2012 when Sandra Näsström designed and made a super-light and very sensual slip for the models to wear under their couture gowns at a fashion show. The girls insisted on wearing them as dresses when they went out dancing that evening. Sandra was inspired by the idea of creating something adaptable that could be worn 24/7. She decided to name her new slip-dress Natalie, after the first model who wore it.
Cos, Stavanger, Norway
COS
A contemporary, minimalist brand heavily inspired by art and design. COS’s approach to design is one that includes “buy less wear more,” as beautifully designed basics are meant to fill wardrobe gaps for years. Get your COS 20% off coupon here.
CRAFT
Craft is a Swedish brand specializing in functional clothing for endurance sports where performance and comfort are crucial for a good result. Craft works closely with elite athletes.
DIANA ORVING
Stockholm-based DIANA ORVING Collections has presented women’s wear collections at fashion shows and exhibitions in Sweden and internationally since spring 2007.
DIDRIKSONS
Julius and Hanna Didrikson started making workwear for the fishermen in Grundsund, on the rim of Sweden’s western coastline, back in 1913. Today Didrikson is the leading brand of functional, rain- and weatherproof garments in Scandinavia.
DR. DENIM
Don’t let the “family-owned” element of Dr Denim fool you – this brand is anything but quaint. Founded by brothers Alexander and Johannes, who inherited their obsession from their denim-tastemaker father, the brand has been on “a personal quest to be the global cure for half-baked denim” since 2004.
DRKN
DRKN is a street fashion brand out of Stockholm that launched in May 2015. Their mission is to promote digital culture by way of clothing and style inspired by games, hacking, electronic music, digital art, and science fiction.
DUGHULT OF SWEDEN
Creates “superior quality clothing with the finest feel and a timeless, contemporary classic style. And only dresses, skirts, jackets and coats.”
ELVINE
No-nonsense Gothenburg brand making cool clothes for men and women.
EYTYS
Uber cool Stockholm-based Eytys blend 90s nostalgia with cyber punk for sneakers, loafers, and boots with attitude. Likely to chime with those who follow the Balenciaga “ugly shoe” school of thought, these bold designs are anything but minimal, but a comfortable cork footbed and considered manufacturing techniques make for a high quality shoe with confident proportions that’s easy to wear.
Wool from Filippa K
FILIPPA K
Timeless, minimalist design that’s true to Swedish style and sustainable, Filippa K is a classic Swedish brand. Launched in 1993, Filippa K is the epitome of Swedish style, as the versatility and comfort of the collections make them ideal for office–bike–evening transitional looks.
FJÄLLRÄVEN
Fjällräven originates from Örnsjöldsvik, a place where the mountains meet the forest and the sea. They make clothes and equipment for outdoor use, and are dedicated to making nature more accessible. Their bags are durable and long-lasting, but they’re also very sweet.
FLATTERED
Finely-crafted women’s shoes that reflect contemporary trends, Flattered is the place to go for slick everyday basics and high-fashion inspired designs.
GRAM
A playful brand for men and women, Gram makes shoes that look like something you would’ve wanted as a child but grown up.
GUDRUN SJÖDÉN
From Stockholm. Successful in many countries, especially Germany, Switzerland and Austria. All the textiles are made from natural materials.
HAGLÖFS
Northern Europe’s largest manufacturer of outdoor products. Their range includes backpacks, sleeping bags, functional clothing and shoes.
HEDE FASHION OUTLET
Save money on Swedish fashion brands in this outlet near Gothenburg (also known as Freeport).
Hestra gloves
HESTRA
If you need heavy duty gloves, Swedish brand Hestra is where you go. These ones are made from Elk leather and have a thick fleece lining, as well as touchscreen pads on the thumb and index fingers so you can still use your smartphone while you’re out in the cold. These are the kind of gloves you have for decades – they’re really that good.
HOPE
A brand loved in Sweden that hasn’t had the recognition it deserves from outside yet, HOPE is for the unisex, minimalist, and androgynous design fans. Plenty of oversized yet sleek tailoring lifts wardrobe staples from standard to Scandi.
Read also: Swedish Fashion Hope
HOUSE OF DAGMAR
Founded in 2005 by three sisters, Karin Söderlind, Kristina Tjäder and Sofia Wallenstam, the brand continues the sartorial legacy of their late grandmother, Dagmar. Inspired by their grandmother’s confidence and timeless style, the sisters create considered womenswear collections full of extraordinary craftsmanship. The pieces themselves are imbued with quiet elegance, architectural shapes, and feminine form.
IDA SJÖSTEDT
From Stockholm. For “beautiful, sexy clothes for women who do not take dressing up too seriously”.
ISBJÖRN OF SWEDEN
The brand was founded in 2005 by Maria Frykman Forsberg and Camilla Schmidt. The business idea was born when they had their first babies, not finding proper outdoor gear for their little ones. The ISBJÖRN of Sweden collection covers the age from 0-14 years, offering all necessary layers kids will need for being active outdoors, at day care center or in the spare time with the family.
J. Lindeberg
J LINDBERG
The Swedes are an active bunch, so it’s only fitting that one of their major 3 fashion houses is also a designer of golf and ski clothing. Alongside activewear, J Lindberg also designs contemporary men’s and womenswear, focusing on simple tailoring and quality basics.
KRISS
Considered as classic, exclusive, wearable and feminine. The collections are designed in the countryside near Uppsala.
LAZOSCHMIDL
Gender-fluid raver kid of the early aughts grows up but stays the same; that’s the vibe from this cooler-than-cool Swedish brand. Lazoschmidl knows how to rock a pattern, a mesh, and a ruffle – all in the “menswear” category.
LJUNG
Men’s fashion from Stockholm, favoured by dandies and successful young people. Clever, practical and multifunctional.
MINI MARKET
Began as a pure clothing label, but today also makes shoes. The designers and founders are three sisters from Stockholm. I am unsure if they are still active because they have a web shop without https.
MISTRA FUTURE FASHION
Mistra future fashion was a research program focusing on circular economy aiming at a future positive fashion industry. The program held a unique system perspective operating cross disciplinary in a consortium with over 60 partners 2011-2019.
Monki shop. Photo: Wikipedia
MONKI
Dressing Gen Z and Millennial Swedes in Instagram pinks and teddy bear coats.
MYRQVIST
Launched from a Kickstarter campaign, Myrqvist produces Goodyear Welted shoes for men. This is a complex and labor-intensive form of shoe construction: it stops water from leaking through but most importantly, it enables the possibility to replace the outsole when needed. Consequently, Myrqvist shoes can be worn for decades.
NA-KD
One of Sweden’s hottest brands right now (2020).
NAKKNA
Avant-garde, but wearable – that is what people say about Nakkna. The label comes from Stockholm.
NATHALIE SACHUTERMAN
High-end fashion from Stockholm for the rich and famous, particularly people in fashionable Stureplan square who like to wear her designs.
NEUW
Technically based in Australia but started by three friends from Melbourne and Stockholm, NEUW is a testament to the far-reaching appeal of Swedish denim culture. The brand is inspired by vintage denim so all styles feature details like “repair stitches” or “revision darts,” soaking the collections in the rich variety denim can take.
NUDIE JEANS
Lagom is a Swedish word for ‘just the right amount’. It’s their version of Yin and Yang.
ODD MOLLY
Odd Molly really is a little “odd”: it is wayward, beautiful, humane, warm and playful. The designers at Odd Molly like to go their own way in fashion.
OSCAR JACOBSEN
A 110-year-old menswear brand, which includes golf apparel.
OUR LEGACY
Swedish menswear brand Our Legacy is all about pared-down, high-quality, and timeless design. They specialize in button down shirts; they’re the epitome of contemporary Swedish style. Their other wardrobe pieces, however, are just as well-made.
PEAK PERFORMANCE
Born out of a need for practical skiwear in the 80s that didn’t succumb to the flashy trends of the time, Peak Performance is still ubiquitous with skiing in Sweden. Selling a wide range for men, women, and children, their outerwear is second to none when it comes to staying warm in the northern parts of the country.
PELLE P
Functional clothing for sailing and skiing.
RAVE REVIEW
Entirely recycled collections that speak truth to climate crisis denying powers. Sustainability is at the core of everything head designers …. do.
RESTERÖDS
Produces not only underwear, but also chic, casual fashion. Founded in 1935 as “Resteröds Trikåfabrik”.
Carin Rodebjer
RODEBJER
A brand beloved by fashion-forward women who want a comfortable silhouette while still looking put-together, Rodebjer is The Swedish Look at its peak. Incredibly modern and compelling, Rodebjer’s pieces are always the right combination of timeless and on-trend.
SANDQVIST
Swedish brand Sandqvist makes timeless bags that will last for ages and look good the whole time. Their bags are often made of recyclable materials, and you can bring them back to their stores for repairs.
SÄTILA
Sätila of Sweden was founded in 1896 in the village of the same name deep in the Västergötland countryside. Since that day Sätila has designed, knitted and delivered hats, scarves and mittens worldwide.
SELAM FEZZAHAYE
Named Sveriges modemirakel, or Sweden’s “fashion miracle”, Fessahaye is a Swedish-Eritrean designer pushing for greater diversity in Scandinavian fashion through her poetic and bold collections, worn by “one of the most diversely casted runways in Copenhagen Fashion Week history”. Her work is exaggerated and personal, as she plays with proportion and takes inspiration from her Eritrean heritage. Although this is not classic Swedish design, it is definitely the future of it.
STOCKHOLM QUALITY OUTLET
Out-of-town retail parks sell clothes and accessories by Swedish fashion brands at deeply discounted prices – depending on the item, you can expect to get 30–70% off the recommended retail price. You should try this one.
STUTTERHEIM
Scandinavia is lovely, but it doesn’t half rain a lot… Stutterheim is a popular choice with men, women, children, and dogs when it comes to keeping dry. The handmade raincoats are crafted using rubberized cotton and feature double-welded seams, snap closures, and cotton drawstrings. They also make boots that look great and keep toes dry.
STYLEIN
Stylein launched in 2001 by founder and chief designer Elin Alemdar. They always stay true to their core aesthetic – sophisticated, sleek, and elegant – while finding a way to hit trends so that the collection feels timely.
SWEDISH ECO
The brand was born in Gothenburg with the idea of offering premium organic underwear. Swedish Eco products are made from certified organic cotton which is durable, soft and good for your body.
SWEDISH FASHION COUNCIL
Press release, March 25th 2020: The Swedish fashion industry is facing a serious crisis. The ongoing paradigm shift driven by the climate crisis, digitalization and a rapid change in consumer behavior has already created enormous challenges for the fashion industry. Now the main focus is on how we best can help the Swedish fashion industry to survive this crisis and to still be operating in the future. The future for many Swedish fashion companies can be determined within such a short period of time as a few weeks.
SWEDISH HASBEENS
Inspired by the enigmatic “Anita”, a mother in 1970s southern Sweden who rocked a clog and whose impressive collection found in a factory basement was the basis of their first collection. The environmentally conscious shoes are made using chrome-free tanning and EU regulated wood.
Tiger of Sweden
TIGER OF SWEDEN
Tiger of Sweden is a Stockholm-based fashion house established in 1903 with a heritage in tailoring. For more than a century Tiger of Sweden has stood for style with purpose, dressing men and women for whom true style is about the confidence to be themselves. The brand founders Marcus Schwarzman and Hjalmar Nordström built the company on the Scandinavian principles of equality and fairness.
TRETORN
Founded in Helsingborg in 1891, Tretorn started as a rubber factory, producing galoshes for farmers to protect their feet. Over time, it has since become a producer of high-quality boots and sneakers, artfully marrying style with practicality.
TWIST & TANGO
Produces fashionable everyday clothes, which are meant to be fun. The successful brand comes from Haga, the Old Town district of Gothenburg.
VAGABOND
What started as a men’s shoe company has grown to be a global shoemaker for everyone, with fashion-forward and classic designs available for reasonable prices and uncompromising quality.
Veronica Virta
VERONICA VIRTA
Clothes that are feminine and classic with a touch of color, both for business professionals and the everyday woman. Timeless elegance with a luxurious feeling and with an endless possibility of combinations.
WEEKDAY
Home of the infamous Zeitgeist t-shirt, a weekly print project that creates a design reflecting pop culture and sold with limited availability.
WESC
WeSC creates street fashion and street wear. The label comes from skateboard culture.
WHYRED
Whyred, from Stockholm, combines clean lines, neat shapes and idiosyncratic details. The major orientation is modernist.
& OTHER STORIES
With ateliers in Paris, Stockholm, and LA, & Other Stories offers designs that range from romantic to ranch hand. They also have a hugely popular beauty range, favored for its fragrances and hand creams.
Hope fashion, Stockholm
The future of Swedish fashion Given that it is home to multiple, enormous fast-fashion brands, it’s undeniable that Swedish fashion is an important country in terms of the globalization of fashion and rethinking damaging structures, but Sweden could have more influence if it joined forces with other Scandinavian fashion powers – rather than trying to carve out a new identity in an already saturated market.
Your Ultimate Guide to Swedish Fashion, compiled by Tor Kjolberg
The Government Fund of Norway (also known as the Petroleum Fund) was established in 1990 to invest the surplus revenues of the Norwegian petroleum sector. It has over US$1 trillion in assets, including 1.4% of global stocks and shares, making it the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund. The resigned Chief Executive Officer Yngve Slyngstad has written a farewell document about the challenges a new leader will face. Read more about responsible investing in Norway.
“In the course of 20 years, we have become a global leader in responsible investing. Along the way, we have learned and adjusted our course. I am proud of what we have achieved over the last two decades, and I am convinced the fund will continue to evolve to safeguard the interests of future generations,” writes Slyngstad in his introduction.
Yngve Slyngstad, former CEO of Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM), has written a farewell document about the challenges a new leader will face. Photo: Christopher Olssøn
The book that was published last month sums up the enormous transformation of the Petroleum Fund under his leadership. “Ownership comes with both rights and responsibilities. The fund’s investments are held up against Norwegian values and, more specifically, Norway’s international obligations,” writes Slyngstad.
Already, shortly after the 1997 election, the newly established coalition government under Kjell Magne Bondevik announced that it wanted the fund to consider environmental and human rights issues in its investments.
At the end of 2019, the fund had 79 billion kroner invested in 77 companies and green bonds under dedicated environment-related mandates, amounting to 0.8 percent of the value of the fund. In 2019, the government decided to add renewable energy infrastructure to the fund’s environment-related mandates.
Parliament building in Oslo
In the spring of 2001, the Stoltenberg government found that a mechanism to exclude individual companies was needed. This led to an arrangement that proved to be durable over the following two decades. To this day, the mechanism seeks to treat companies individually, to apply a high threshold for exclusions, and to require a high probability of future violations based on thorough, independent research.
The interplay between exclusion and ownership was first demonstrated in connection with preventing child labor. Back in 2002, the Petroleum Fund Advisory Commission on International Law had pointed to child labor as a human rights violation where Norway might have obligations to contribute outside its own territory, as a signatory to ILO conventions.
Oil workers in the 70s
The Council on Ethics quickly experienced how difficult it could be to interpret an overlapping consensus among Norwegians and to apply it to companies operating in foreign markets. In November 2005, the Council recommended excluding the US retail corporation Wal-Mart Stores Inc on account of serious violations of human rights. The recommendation was approved by the Ministry of Finance, and the decision was published in June 2006 when Norges Bank had completed its divestment.
By the end of 2006, seven producers of cluster munitions and eight companies involved in the production of nuclear arms had been excluded. As the fund grew in size and the investment strategy developed, investment in emerging markets raised further questions about Norway’s international obligations. Some of these countries were under public scrutiny for their human rights record, and some were under international sanction regimes.
The objective for the management of the fund is to ensure that future generations will benefit from Norway’s petroleum wealth.
In November 2007, the Council on Ethics recommended the exclusion of the German industrial conglomerate Siemens under the criterion of serious corruption. Norges Bank, however, found that the company had already taken steps to reduce the risk of corruption in the future and decided not to exclude the company, but to impose a four-year observation period.
According to amended guidelines effective from 2010, the Council on Ethics would be able to recommend observation if there was no basis for exclusion, and the Ministry would be able to choose observation even if the Council had recommended exclusion. Observation would, as a rule, be made public.
In 2014, this restriction was lifted for Myanmar, as Burma by then was known, after the UN Security Council had revoked its sanctions. Following new UN sanctions on Iran, North Korea and Syria, these countries also became subject to the government bond exemption.
The objective for the management of the fund is to ensure that future generations will benefit from Norway’s petroleum wealth. In 20 years, the fund has grown to become the largest single owner in the world’s stock markets. The question for the fund has been what to do about the rights and responsibilities that come with ownership.
The fund’s investments are held up against Norwegian values and, more specifically, Norway’s international obligations
“We have gone from pushing companies for reporting on basic sustainability data, to integrating a growing database into our risk management, to contributing to more rigorous and nuanced reporting standards,” writes Slyngstad and continues, “We are therefore encouraged by the uptake of certain reporting frameworks and note that several sustainability metrics have become well recognized and increasingly integrated into company disclosures. Further development of good corporate reporting will help all our responsible investment activities as described in this review. We will continue to push for more data and better risk management, and we will continue to promote market-wide rigor and consistency in the way companies manage and account for the environmental and social aspects of their business activities.”
Academic essay writing requires a lot of effort and time. No student can escape essay writing since it forms a significant part in their academic success. Constructing an essay about a country like Scandinavia requires a lot of knowledge. Many students do not prefer reading and understanding history. The best solution to write a flawless essay about Scandinavia is to master writing skills. The following are tips for writing an essay about Scandinavia.
Collect facts about Scandinavia Before you start anything concerning the writing process, you need to understand the subject. In this case, it is Scandinavia. You would not want to write an essay containing credible information about Scandinavia; you need to obtain credible information to make your article informative. In-depth or thorough research will enable you to collect the information needed for your piece. The facts are essential to help you in starting your introduction strongly and having credible arguments.
You need to obtain credible information to make your article informative. Photo: Patrick Tomasso
Obtain previously written articles from reliable services like Edu Jungles to get facts about Scandinavia. Learn about the country’s people and their culture, and form of governance from history books. Also, information about geographical location and landforms is essential for writing an essay. While researching Scandinavia’s facts, ensure to write down every important point and the source for easy referencing. Remember, the internet also offers an opportunity to explore the country online. You can read about Scandinavia from online articles and Wikipedia, but do not entirely rely on it for facts since anyone can edit the page.
Brainstorming the subject will allow you to produce as many ideas as possible
Brainstorm your topic The next step after obtaining your facts about Scandinavia is to brainstorm on the topic. Brainstorming the subject will allow you to produce as many ideas as possible. But first, ensure the issue is neither too broad nor too specific. However, it should be a particular subject about Scandinavia to allow you to discuss it exhaustively. While brainstorming your topic, you need to have a pen and a sheet of foolscap paper. Use the foolscap and a pen to write down all the ideas that come into your mind. The ideas you organize on the writing piece will give you guidelines on how to approach the essay. It would help if you also looked at crucial instructional words in the topic like discuss, describe, state, etc. as they give direction on what you need to do.
Develop a thesis Every article you compose has a central message. The arguments you discuss in the essay reflect the message through your position on the same idea. A thesis is a statement or sentence that provides your stand about the topic to make it short. The view is the last sentence of your introductory paragraph. When writing a thesis, ensure to avoid vague words or provide a listing in the idea. A strong thesis statement should be clear and specific to be precise on the message you want to present. The thesis statement should tell the audience what you intend to discuss in the paper and guide you in writing. In most cases, professors will go directly to the last sentence of the paragraph to determine your topic’s stand.
A thesis is a statement or sentence that provides your stand about the topic to make it short
Create a writing plan One of the essential pre-writing stages when you want to write an essay is developing a plan. We all know that time is a very crucial factor in the essay writing process. Therefore, you need to organize your writing to produce an excellent article on time. According to reputable writing services like EssayWritingService, developing a writing plan will ensure you manage your time effectively and finish your paper before the deadline. Allocate every section of your writing process adequate time, depending on the work required in that stage. However, it would help if you allocated enough time for researching Scandinavia to get enough facts and evidence to support your arguments.
Another section that requires a lot of time is the writing execution, where you will need to argue your points accordingly. Remember, proofreading is crucial in writing; therefore, you need to provide enough time. Creating a writing plan will ensure you do not spend much time on one section; thus, you will guarantee to finish the paper on time.
Outline your essay Most students usually skip this stage because they think it wastes time. Although no lecturer will ask for an outline to grade you, a system is essential. The design represents your essay structure, which you will use to form a complete paper. The framework is also a roadmap on how to present your arguments. Using the facts collected, jot down all ideas that come into your mind and organize them from the strongest to the weakest. The ideas you managed should have a connection among them and to the topic, then arrange them into a particular transition to create an outline.
Start with a strong introduction that will attract interest from the reader
Write the Essay After having all the requirements in place, it’s time to write the essay. Start with a strong introduction that will attract interest from the reader. The introduction should ‘hook’ the professor to read the entire article. The body paragraphs should address your arguments. In logical order, present the views and provide an explanation on the same issue, and offer supporting facts you found about Scandinavia on the topic. The ideas in paragraphs should connect and flow from one to the next. You can use transitional words like moreover, besides, etc. to ensure a smooth progression from one paragraph to the next. After writing the paragraphs, provide a definite conclusion that summarizes the entire document.
Proofread Your essay Before you submit your article, it is advisable to review it and ensure it is clean. Being the last stage of editing, proofreading will allow you to highlight common mistakes like typos, grammatical, and punctuation, and correct them to make your document error-free. You can use online proofreading tools like Grammarly to check your essay. Also, it is advisable to send the paper to a trustworthy friend to help you with proofreading. Remember to proofread at least three times.
How to Write an Essay About Scandinavia – Conclusion Essay writing is a crucial requirement in college, though it seems like a significant challenge for many students. Since no one can escape articles, it is vital to learn writing skills. However, writing about a country requires knowledge about the nation’s history in every aspect to obtain facts. With the above list of tips, you can write your essay about Scandinavia.
How to Write an Essay About Scandinavia, written exclusively for Daily Scandinavian by Leon Edmunds. Leon began work in 2006. Since then, he has tried his hand at SEO and team communication management. He also writes for blogs and works as an academic writer at EduJungles.com, a professional essay writing service. His main interests are content marketing, communication skills development and blogging. Every day he is looking for new ideas to help people achieve their career goals. His team working as one ideal vehicle. Facebook, Instagram
All over Norway in the largest cities, but sometimes also in remote spots, you can witness a vast variety of walls and corners adorned with stunning street art. Norway is most known for its impressive fjords, glacier hiking, Aurora Borealis and much more. Norway’s thriving art community, however, is less known. Find out more about the jaw-dropping street art in Norway.
Norway is known for many things like its impressive glacier hiking, summer skiing, Aurora Borealis sightseeing, and much more. However, one thing most people aren’t aware of is Norway’s thriving art community. In addition to Norway’s wonderful museums, you should remember to look outside as well. Some of Norway’s most notable art can be seen on seemingly random buildings that have been used as canvases for the artwork.
In Oslo, you should definitively visit the vibrant and diverse neighborhood Tøyen. Photo: Oslo Street Art Tours
Gained international recognition
For a long time, Norwegian cities had zero tolerance for street art and artists were punished with heavy fines. Today, however, the cities support street art and compete for becoming street art cities. Stavanger, for example, has become the home of the most impressive murals and graffiti art pieces in the world.
From an anonymous existence, the Norwegian street art movement has in recent years gained international recognition. If you have an interest in seeing a world-class alternative to traditional art, make sure you plan to find a selection of interesting and impressing street art in Norway.
Street art artist Dolk. Photo: Fine Art, Oslo
Street art installations in Oslo
The first street art installation in Oslo started in the 90s in Brenneriveien.
In Oslo, you should definitively visit the vibrant and diverse neighborhood Tøyen. The first wall there, The Treasure Hunter by Chilean artist INTI, went up in 2012. Since then, many other artistes were invited to join the effort to transform the area into a colorful district.
Backyard. Artist: Juni Roy Olsen. Photo: Visit Oslo
The Norwegian artists Steffen Kverneland and Monica Tollnes painted a caricature image of famous artist Edvard Munch in front of the background from his iconic painting The Scream. Tøyen aims actually at becoming Scandinavia’s largest outdoor gallery before the Munch Museum there leaves for downtown Oslo in 2021.
The Finnish artist Jussi TwoSeven has put his talent of black and white artwork to create a majestic depiction of a realistic grey wolf face that covers the entire side of a multi-story building.
Two of Norway’s most recognized street artists are Martin Whatson and DOT DOT DOT. Whatson has been impressing audiences with his mixture of vibrant colors with black and white subject matter for many years. One of his most revered pieces is something unofficially known as the “Athletic Figure” depicting a ballerina that can be found on the side of a residential housing building in Oslo. It is a must-see for any art lover.
Street art in Stavanger. Artist: SMUG. Photo by Brian Tallman for Nuart.
Amazing walls in Stavanger
Home to several amazing walls created by international and local public art practitioners and home to the NUART street art festival, Stavanger is another highlight. Pøbel is one of the most internationally recognized Norwegian street artists and Stavanger is his hometown. In Stavanger, make sure not to miss the “Deer” by the Portuguese street artist Bordalo II. His trade mark is to mix sculpture, trash-art and painting. Martin Whatson is also represented with black-and-white characters, juxtaposed with colorful graffiti and tags.
Bergen has a lot to offer
In terms of street art, Bergen also has a lot to offer. Don’t miss the impressive piece “Laugh” by Norwegian artist AFK. This is a satire of a Jewish and a Muslim man laughing together while reading a copy of Charlie Hedbo. His art usually revolves around current events and this piece was created as a satirical response take on the Hebdo affair occurring in 2015.
Other recognized street artists from Bergen are Dolk, TEG and Argus. In 2000, contemporary artist Bansky came to Bergen and left behind several traces of his work on the city’s walls. Bergen municipality has washed away his work, as at that time there was no tolerance for graffiti and no one could have known how famous Bansky would become. Still, his art inspired the urban artists from Bergen and started a stencil art trend.
Portrait of Aeri Behn in Bergen
This year, Bergen has paid tribute to the late Ari Behn with a portrait. The portrait is painted on a wall by the old car inspection center in Fyllingsdalen in Bergen and is about 6 meters high and 15 meters wide. The street artist Tegson from Bergen and the two Spanish street artists Bisho Sevillano and Rochihiro are behind the painting.
“In many ways I believe Behn and street art go hand in hand,” says Øistein Jakobsen of StreetArt Bergen. “He was a visionary and a thinker. He was a breaker of the ordinary. That’s the essence of street art,” he adds.
“Ari Behn was colorful. I have followed his art for several years. In the artistic field he was an exciting person. It’s exciting with people who don’t follow the A4 standard. He made his own,” said Tegson to the Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet.
Outside the big cities
But street art can also be found outside the big cities. The street artists Dolk and Pøbel have decorated abandoned buildings in the Lofoten islands. It became one of the most talked-about art projects in Norway in the last decade. Other cities above the Arctic Circle that have become rich in urban art in recent years include Bodø and Vardø.
Street art in Måløy. Artist: M.U.M. Photo: Fjord Norway
Far south in Norway in the town of Flekkefjord is an area called the Dutch Quarter (Hollenderbyen). There you can enjoy a rare mix of old, white wooden houses and colorful murals and pieces of graffiti.
If you have read so far, I’m sure you’re interested in street art. The examples above are only as small taste of what Norway has to offer. Make sure to book your trip to Norway to see these and other beautiful examples of street art in Oslo, Stavanger, Bergen, Flekkefjord, Lofoten and everywhere in between.
Heading south of Gothenburg you will pass the most out-of-character building on the entire coast. On the Särö peninsula, Tjölöholm castle was built in the early 20th century in an English Tudor style, with splendid Art Nouveau interior. It’s time to explore fashionable Särö in Sweden.
Instead of beaches, a dramatic landscape of rocks, inlets and islands take over at the little seaside resort of Särö, immediately north of Kungsbacka. Geographically, the peninsula, with 3,165 inhabitants (in 2010) marks the transition from the Bohuslän archipelago in the north to the long, flat Halland coast in the south, 411 km (255 mi) south-west of Stockholm, the country’s capital.
Tjölöholm Castle was built between 1898 and 1904 by James Fredrik and Blanche Dickson. The castle is a bastion of faithfulness to traditional methods of manufacturing. Predominantly in Tudor style, the castle also boasts rare examples of Liberty & Co who were at the forefront of the Arts and Crafts Movement at the time. Modernities from the turn of the century such as electricity, central heating and a circularly flowing shower were combined to make this castle truly unique. Follow a guided tour and embark on a journey through historic grandeur.
In the early 19th century Särö was a fashionable resort, popular with the Swedish royal family. The middle class of nearby Gothenburg started to use the peninsula as a summer resort. A railway from central Gothenburg was built, and the kings Oscar II and Gustav V frequented the area during the summer. Today, Särö remains in a time warp and is an affluent suburb of Gothenburg and Kungsbacka.
Now the older part of the town of Särö is located on the peninsula of the same name and is a villa community with several centuries-old villas. You can walk along the Strandpromenaden and through the nature reserve Särö Västerskog, one of the oldest oak woods on the west coast.
There are several Unesco world heritage sites nearby. The closest heritage site is Grimeton Radio Station, Varberg in a distance of 33 mi (or 53 km), South-East.
Fashionable Särö in Sweden, written by Tor Kjolberg
The Oslo Wood lamp series from Oslo-based design company Northern is treasured and cherished by people in an abundance of homes and public spaces all over the world. The color range has now been extended to include a beige, light grey and matt white lamp base combined with lamp shades in white, olive green and caramel. Read more about Oslo Wood Lamp in new colors.
This year, Northern is celebrating its 15 year anniversary as a Nordic design company and takes another look at some of the company’s classic light designs.
Oslo Wood Lamp. Photo: Tom Gustavsen
Nordic landscapes inspire new design ideas
Picture the North. Rugged landscapes and clear blue waters, dramatic horizons reflected in breath-taking fjords. A place filled with talent and imagination, always ready to inspire new ideas in design. It’s where creative expression meets traditional craft, and where pale beauty is coupled with rough-cut contrasts. Inspirations such as these are sparking new directions for design.
This is what Northern was established to pioneer. The Northern brand was born in the studios of Northern Lighting, where a team of creatives has been illuminating lives for the past fifteen years. Northern combine beauty with functionality, and prefer natural materials and genuine craftsmanship. Furniture and interior accessories are a natural fit for what the company does, enabling it to express its characteristic style in a whole new scale.
Northern’s designs can energize and inspire. Photho; Tom Gustavsen
Northern’s debut collection Northern’s debut collection was simplicity at its best, spelled out in streamlined designs that are fun to combine and easy to clash and contrast. Smoked wood, twilight colors and strong silhouettes create subdued moods, while subtle geometries and classic sensibilities add an elegant touch. The designers see the interior as a flexible, creative space, and make multifunctional products that are unified in style, as well as in spirit.
Northern’s creative reach goes beyond its Norwegian heritage to meet the modern need for laid-back luxury and cutting-edge cool. Northern’s designs can energize and inspire, create a relaxing mood, or set the scene for a soothing backdrop. Designed with the potential to make any setting unique, Northern’s products add atmosphere as they reveal a new vision for Nordic style.
Designer, founder and CEO of Northern, Ove Rogne Photo: Calle Huth
Founder Ove Rogne
Designer, founder and CEO of Northern, Ove Rogne is a driving force in interior design. Born in the Norwegian city of Narvik, Rogne received a Master’s degree in Business and Economics from the Norwegian School of Management before pursuing a career in management consulting.
Guided by a determination to work more creatively and a vision for making lighting design a bit brighter, Rogne teamed up with three long-time friends to establish Northern Lighting in 2005. The following year, Rogne created the award-winning Oslo Wood floor lamp, later teaming up with Trond Svendgård to co-design the Moo wall light in 2008.
Revitalizing work of mid-century designers
His enthusiasm for Norwegian retro classics has revitalized the work of mid-century designers such as Birger Dahl and made their legacies relevant to design today. In 2018 the Northern brand was born and a complete lifestyle collection with furniture, lighting and accessories fulfilled the vision of a strong and acclaimed company
Feature image (on top) Photo: Anna Andersen
Oslo Wood Lamp in New Colors, based on a press release from the company
An EU-funded project has resulted in the world’s largest all-electricity ferry Ellen. Last month the ferry completed 10 months of trials and proves that battery-powered boats have several advantages compared to their diesel counterparts. Read more about the world’s largest e-ferry operating in Denmark.
When the electric car-ferry Ellen entered service in 2019, she was the largest electric ferry in the world. She operates the route between the islands of Ærø and Als in Southern Denmark. This ferry, without noise or smoke, is paving the way to concrete transformation of maritime traffic and can quickly pay off the investments of EUR 21.3 million in both financial and environmental savings.
When the electric car-ferry Ellen entered service in 2019, she was the largest electric ferry in the world. Photo: Visit Ærø
Although the investment is 40% more expensive than a conventional vessel, operating costs are 75% lower. It’s expected that she will save the release of 2,000 tons of CO2 per year. At her home port Ærø she loads her passengers and recharges her batteries with the surplus from the island’s wind turbines, which produce 130% of the electricity needed there. High-performance chargers top up the battery between sailings, so passengers do not need to wait long to depart.
Ellen’s batteries were developed by Leclanché of Switzerland. They are split between two battery rooms below deck and have a capacity of 4.3 MWh, larger than any other electric vessel. She is one of the first such vessels to have no emergency generator. A charging arm on the shore ramp moves with the tide and allows battery recharging while loading.
It’s expected that Ellen will save the release of 2,000 tons. of CO2 per year. Photo: Wikipedia commons
The 750-ton and 60-meter long ferry Ellen makes five daily trips between Ærø and Als in the Baltic Sea. Ellen is powered by 4.3 megawatts of battery power and was built by Søby Værft A/S with sections fabricated in Szczecin in Poland in 2016. 22 sections were welded together and the hull was towed to Søby on Ærø for outfitting.
“There are two reasons why Ellen is so special,” says the E-ferry coordinator Trine Heinemann. “There is no oil on board to run anything on the ship, so she’s fully-electric. Secondly the 22 nautical miles trip is seven times what existing comparable ships have covered. And the longer distances you start covering, the most usable your technology becomes. And I think in Europe it’s about 80 % of the ferry transportation that can be covered in a 22 nautical miles range.”
Ellen can carry 30 vehicles and 200 passengers. She was designed to minimize weight. Her passenger areas are on the same level as the open car deck. She does not have ramps, instead using those on shore. The hull is steel but the bridge is made of aluminum. Deck furniture is made from recycled paper rather than wood, giving the ferry a total weight of 650 tons.
The 750-ton and 60-meter long ferry Ellen makes five daily trips between Ærø and Als in the Baltic Sea. Photo: Wikipedia commons
“Actually, electric motors are more powerful because we have the full torque from the bottom so that’s quite nice. You can almost drive it like a speed boat!” says captain Thomas Larsen and adds that the crew quickly became familiar with the new tool.
“Perhaps most important of all for the dissemination of e-technology, pure electricity is simply the cheapest solution now,” according to a statement from the Ellen project team.
