Dishes of greens, fish and meat done well (not well-done) add to the allure and good vibes at the new Copenhagen restaurant Bobe.
The culinary haven, curated by the renown chef Bo Bech, combines an international vibe with homely coziness, embodying his avant-garde approach to gastronomy.
“We wanted to create a place where guests can come in the pursuit of the best in life, food, art, love,” says Bobe’s founder and chef, whose menu blends Nordic fare with global flavors.
The past and present merge beautifully, thanks to the thoughtful revamp by architectural duo Atelier Axo.
At Bobe, the past and present merge beautifully, thanks to the thoughtful revamp by architectural duo Atelier Axo. The space, with its rich history evident in the original wooden floors and tiles dating back to 1731, gets a breath of fresh air with modern touches.
With emphasis on minimalistic style, the interior draws inspiration from medieval Copenhagen, incorporating open fireplaces and seamlessly integrating them with natural tones and meticulously chosen wooden furniture.
“The space is meant to spark conversation, “ says Bech.
This culinary haven combines an international vibe with homely coziness
Every visit feels like a warm embrace, reminding us why this spot on Gråbrødre Torv has become a go-to for both special occasions and those ’just because’ meals. It’s the kind of place that, no matter where you sit, you feel like you’re exactly where you need to be, surrounded by a vibe that’s as comforting as the food.
Discover a restaurant where every corner tells a story and timeless and sophisticated furniture is curated with utmost care, contributing to the venue’s warmth and sense of intimacy.
Good Vibes at New Copenhagen Restaurant, written by Tor Kjolberg
All images (except portrait), courtesy of foodandsense.com
“Collecting fashion is a relatively recent phenomenon,” says the Danish, London-based stylist and creative consultant Alexandra Carl, who has written the book “Collecting Fashion: Nostalgia, Passion, Obsession”. The book gathers the preeminent collection of archival obsessives, capturing the closets of an impressive list of fashion and design talent, and gives the readers insight in how to collect an impressive wardrobe.
Each of the 20 chapters in Alexandra Carl’s Collecting Fashion (Rizzoli, out this month), covers a subject and their accumulations – and each person recalls something that can guide you. “It’s emotional. It’s an intense dedication and calling,” says Carl of the enduring motivation to collect.
Carl’s book surveys the wardrobes of the people who pioneered, from French fashion designer Michêle Lamy’s extensive Comme des Garçon archive to Berlin showroom Endyma’s Helmut Lang collection. Carl, who has worked with photographers such as Viviane Sussen and Jürgen Teller, spent three years travelling around the world to get insight in the archives of the most prolific fashion collectors, including the late Azzedine Alaia, Chanel sound director Michel Gaubert and Carla Sozzani, founder of Milanese retailer 10 Corso Como.
Michelle Elie Photography by Raphael Bliss, Styling by Abby Adler
Archives take time to build, wardrobes or storage units packed to the brim with rare, archival shoes, dresses, and handbags, some never worn, are only perfected after countless hours spent on Ebay and in the depths of obscured vintage sales. The results end up being remarkable representations of fashion history.
Carl says it was her own attachment to the clothes left in assiduously well-maintained condition by her Danish grandmother that first ignited her curiosity. “Everything has a memory,” she says of this mysterious animating quality of putting something on and living with it. “You have to look closely to realize why it’s an amazing piece. Then you cannot get it out of your head.”
Each collection she describes is filled with stories of “the liaison between past and present, history and the moment, affection and consumption”. The book has been written in collaboration with the Italian writer Angelo Flaccavento, and professor and art advisor Dimitrios Tsivrikos, a specialist in consumer psychology.
Each of the 20 chapters in Alexandra Carl’s Collecting Fashion (Rizzoli, out this month), covers a subject and their accumulations
In order for fashion to march forward, it must possess the ability to look back. For the fashion obsessed, one’s archive is surely a testament to the act of preservation and, of course, a sophisticated symbol of taste.
“I once had to go to a chiropractor because a pillow dress was putting too much pressure on my neck,” says Michèle Lamy in the first chapter, “but I kept wearing it anyway.”
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Carl grew up with a mum who was a collector. “As a child I got to wear her clothes and her influence – along with that of my grandmother, who taught me how to make clothes. It’s probably where this all comes from,” she says.
Everything has a memory,” Carl says
Readers will get an in-depth look at Michèle Lamy’s extensive Comme des Garçon archive, Sarah Andelman’s covetable (and colorful) sneaker and t-shirt collection, ENDYMA’s growing Helmut Lang archive, Zaha Hadid’s fabulous footwear assemblage, and more. This tome, over 300 pages long, painstakingly showcases the subjects’ archive while showing off top-tier labels and hard-to-obtain seasons: Issey Miyake, Maison Martin Margiela, Thierry Mugler, John Galliano, and Alexander McQueen, among others, and serves as an indispensable reference for those interested in fashion history and building their own archive.
The decisions within the book—what to omit, what to include—seem infinite, but Carl’s discernment is unflagging. Her love is for the sleuth. The completist. The obsessive. “It was always the essence of the book,” she says. This gnawing fixation. It’s also what separated some from others. “There are people who have amazing collections, but it was driven by financial access.” Every subject needed to be as emotionally, as dizzyingly, in love—as haunted by detail as she is.
“Nowadays, people buy things for exposure and wait 90 minutes for delivery. Everything is so readily available so you miss out the element of desire,” says Carl. ”Brands don’t really inspire that in you anymore.”
According to Carl, In order for fashion to march forward, it must possess the ability to look back.
Alexandra Carl is an acclaimed fashion stylist and consultant and recipient of the British Fashion Council’s New Wave Creative Award.
Angelo Flaccavento is an Italian fashion journalist, writer, and curator.
Dr. Dimitrios Tsivrikos is a noted university professor, curator, and art advisor. A pioneer in the field of psychology, he has advised and managed international contemporary art collections, and led sales with Christie’s and Sotheby’s.
“‘What’s old is new’ is a phrase often used to describe fashion trends since so much of what was created in the past influences the present day. In Collecting Fashion, clothes enthusiasts obsessed with the industry (and everyone else who finds it intriguing) will have their passion ignited by the sheer magnitude and detail of this insightful survey. It features some of the most significant archival collections from a coveted group of fashion and design influencers’ closets, including Michèle Lamy’s expansive Comme des Garçons archive and Zaha Hadid’s impressive footwear assortment. With a deep dive into the collections’ history, top-tier labels, and hard-to-obtain seasons, this book spans 300 pages and also includes essays from top thinkers and writers offering keen insights to accompany each selection,” wrote Boston Magazine.
How to Collect an Impressive Wardrobe, written by Tor Kjolberg
Queen Margrethe, who surprised her country by abdicating earlier this year, is back as ballet costume designer with Denmark’s famed Tivoli amusement park that celebrates its 150th anniversary this year. Learn more about abdicated Queen Margrete of Denmark creating new ballet costumes.
Since childhood, The Queen has been strongly interested in the worlds of theatre and especially ballet, inspired particularly by Frederik IX’s enjoyment in this regard. Early on, Princess Margrethe went with her parents to the Royal Theatre, where in 1948 she attended August Bournonville’s ballet Napoli, which made a deep impression on the Princess.
The ex-queen is ow creating the costumes and set for a ballet based on a fairy tale by the Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen, “Klods Hans,” or “Clumsy Hans.
Since 1970, The Queen has been actively engaged in a number of artistic modes of expression: painting, church textiles, watercolors, prints, book illustrations, découpage works, scenography and embroidery. She is an honorary member of the Association of Danish Scenographers for her many years of work as a set designer in Danish film, television and theater.
From the mid-1980s and 30 years onwards, The Queen helped with the annual ballet performances at a friend’s dance school in Næstved, where the wing scenery and costumes were conjured up with enormous imagination from materials at hand. Quite special were the performances’ numerous paper hats, which The Queen thought up and created herself.
The 83-year-old-queen, who has designed costumes and stage sets more than a dozen of times at the Tivoli gardens’ Pantomine theater
The 83-year-old-queen, who has designed costumes and stage sets more than a dozen of times at the Tivoli gardens’ Pantomine theater, is now creating the costumes and set for a ballet based on a fairy tale by the Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen, “Klods Hans,” or “Clumsy Hans.”
Queen Margrethe was Denmark’s much loved monarch for over 50 years.
Abdicated Queen Margrete of Denmark Creating New Ballet Costumes, written by Tor Kjolberg
Next year, Sweden will send a combat battalion of approximately 600 soldiers to the NATO Forward Land Forces (FLF). The FLF are multinational forces deployed by NATO in eight Eastern European countries. This marks that Sweden is now a NATO member.
Before applying for NATO membership, Sweden had maintained a policy of neutrality in military affairs since the Napoleonic Wars, after which Sweden adopted a policy of “non-alignment in peace and neutrality in war”. The country was neutral in both world wars—though it cooperated with both Germany and Allied nations on various occasions during World War II—and chose not to join NATO when it was founded in 1949.
The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine (24–25 February 2022) spurred a shift in public opinion, prompting Sweden to apply for NATO membership alongside Finland on 18 May 2022.
From left to right Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan,NATO’s General Secretary. Jens Stoltenberg and Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson before the 2023 NATO Summit. Photo: Quora
In days following Russia’s invasion, a Novus poll conducted found 41% in favor of NATO membership and 35% opposed. The first poll to register majority (51%) support for NATO membership came on 4 March 2022, and support grew substantially since then.
The new NATO map
Sweden became NATO’s 32nd Ally on 7th March 2024. Now the blue and white NATO flag is waving next to the Swedish flag at the Revingehed military base in Sweden. If an allied country is attacked, Sweden is now obliged to send soldiers.
The Secretary General welcomed Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to NATO Headquarters for a flag-raising ceremony to mark Sweden’s accession. Speaking ahead of the ceremony, the Secretary General thanked Prime Minister Kristersson for his strong personal leadership and commitment to leading Sweden into NATO. He said: “Sweden has taken its rightful place at NATO’s table under the shield of Article 5 protection – the ultimate guarantee of our freedom and security. All for one and one for all.”
NATO’s General Scretary Jens Stoltenberg and Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson .
NATO membership means that Sweden is rapidly equipping itself. The defense budget increases by more than SEK 27 billion between 2023 and 2024, an increase of 28 per cent.
Noting that NATO will mark its 75th anniversary this year, Secretary General Stoltenberg underlined that the transatlantic bond between Europe and North America has ensured the member countries’ freedom and security. “Sweden will help to build an even stronger NATO at a critical time for Euro-Atlantic security,” he said, adding that “joining NATO is good for Sweden, good for stability in the North, and good for the security of our whole Alliance.”
Sweden – New Member of NATO, reporting by by Tor Kjolberg
Designed for HAY by Danish designer Leif Jørgensen, the Loop Stand is a series of tables and clothing stands. The series has just been relaunched in a number of new variants, with the tabletop now offered in oak veneer and the trestles updated in deep tones of red and blue. Learn more about the Danish loop stand.
These new additions bring freshness to the well-known series and extend the options and versatility of the tables.
The loop stand family
Characterized by its uncluttered, graphic expression, the collection features a distinctive three-legged design. All models in the collection are offered in various sizes and colors, with the tables also available in different material options that make them suited to a wide range of settings.
Loop Stand Wardrobe is a larger version of Loop Stand Hall. Based on the same elegant and graphic three-pillared design, it offers a simple and discreet wardrobe solution with increased capacity. Suitable for hanging clothes in a variety of private or public environments.
Danish designer Leif Jørgensen
Loop Stand is Leif Jørgensen’s well-designed and ultra-functional, no-nonsense series of coat stands, wardrobe furniture and tables, all with a consistent family identity. Loop Stand Table shares the same clean visual expression as the wardrobe stand, where the characteristic three-legged trestles are attached to the tabletop with screws. The Loop Stand Table is available in several variants and heights to suit a wide range of dining rooms and offices in corporate and private settings.
Leif Jørgensen is a Danish designer and architect based in Copenhagen who founded his first design business in 1989. He works in the fields of interior and exterior architecture, and in product design. He has particular experience with retail design and has created numerous concepts for the fashion industry, along with products, office spaces and private houses.
His approach is dictated by a desire to develop original ideas and to push boundaries of traditional product typologies through the application of new techniques and production methods. An inquisitive designer, Jørgensen has a keen interest in how products and concepts are influenced by their cultural and social context. For HAY he has designed the Loop Series and the Connect Bed.
Google Flights not only allows you to see what days are the cheapest to fly and what site has the cheapest fares but also allows you to purchase the tickets by following the links provided on the site. Learn how to reduce your flight costs with Google Flights.
When following the provided links, you will sometimes purchase directly from the airline, and sometimes it will direct you to sites such as Priceline or Expedia.
So, how do you use the functions of Google Flights to book flights as low as $178 to get from Los Angeles to Europe? If you already know where you would like to go, grab your laptop or jump on your desktop computer. Google Flights does NOT offer all of the advanced functions on the mobile app, mobile browsers, or on most tablets.
Here’s how you do it:
1. Go to Google Flights and type in your desired destination.
2. Click on ‘Round Trip’ in the upper left-hand corner and change it to ‘One Way’.
3. Now click on the date and a calendar will pop up. In a few seconds, the prices of your chosen date will load. Press on the ‘Price Graph’ and each day of two months will show you the cheapest days to leave.
(The arrow on the right side of the graph will allow you to advance the months to future dates).
As I write this, I see that flying from Oslo to Tenerife will cost me NOK 2,423 if I leave on the 6th of September. However, if I wait until the 16th, the flight costs only NOK 1,325, saving me 45 percent.
What if you are not sure where you want to go? Not to worry. What if I told you that you could look at a map of cities with specific airfare indicated next to them in order to help you choose the location of your next adventure? The best way to find cheap flights when you do not know exactly which city you want to visit is to use the map function on Google Flights.
1. Start over on a new page.
2. Ensure that you have clicked ‘One Way’ in the upper left-hand corner.
3. Leave the destination (Where to?) blank and zoom in and out until you find your home country on the map, and you’ll see the cheapest fares to different cities.
4. Zoom out to find the continent you are interested in visiting.
5. When you see a price that appeals to you on the map, click on it to see what date that fare applies.
6. The airline will appear to the left of the map below some suggested attractions.
7. By clicking on that airline, you will find the date of the flight.
8. If you want alternative dates click on the calendar symbol and you will have several choices.
9. When you have selected a month and date click on continue.
Right now using this tool, I see a flight from Oslo to Cape Town for NOK 4,055. For those of you with a stomach for adventure you can travel to Marrakesh for NOK 2,360 or Manila for NOK 3,957. These are just what I see while I casually looking as I write in this text. If I took time to really dig in, I may be able to find even cheaper flights to those destinations.
One great part of traveling is once you have flown into a particular region, the flights are ultra cheap to get to other cities or other countries within the same region (see below for saving money on fares by creating a faux layover.) Once you get to Asia, for example, flights can be as low as NOK 600 from Singapore to Malaysia or NOK 800 from Singapore to the Philippines. Once you get to Europe, flights can be as low as NOK 500 from Paris to Barcelona or from London to Prague. I do not know how airlines can make a profit with such low fares, but I’ll let them worry about that.
One problem people encounter is finding that a particular destination has a daunting fare – even when they use the steps mentioned above. If that is the case, try adding what I call a faux layover. A faux layover is a layover that you create in order to save money. If you take a flight to one of the major airport hubs in the world, you can catch a cheap flight to destinations that may be rare from your home city but more common from a regional airport hub.
Major hubs around the world include London, Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Istanbul, Dubai, Singapore, Shanghai, and Beijing, to name a few. If the airfare to your desired destination is too expensive, try flying to a major regional airport hub first, then check the prices from the regional hub to your destination.
I have an American colleague who wanted to visit Prague, but the flights were well over NOK 10,000. So he flew to Norway for NOK 2,000 and caught a flight to Prague for NOK 900, effectively saving over NOK 7,000 … and I could have a meeting with my colleague in Oslo.
If you prefer to get on to your intended destinations as quickly as possible, you can book a flight that departs from the regional hub a few hours after you arrive. This technique requires that you go through customs and pick up your luggage in order to recheck it, so be sure to allow enough time (at least two hours is recommended, but I have done it with less time available). You just created a faux layover and saved hundreds of bucks in doing so.
Some of you may prefer to check out the city that houses the airport of the regional hub for a few hours longer … maybe even overnight. This is a great way to simply experience a local restaurant or a historical landmark or two. If you choose to spend several hours on this layover, you may have time for a quick organized tour before flying to your intended destination. In a later article I’ll explain in more detail how to make the most of a layover.
Reduce Your Flight Costs With Google Flights, written by Tor Kjolberg
The waterfront in Denmark’s capital has undergone impressive redevelopment in recent decades and transformed into Copenhagen’s new recreational hub.
Today, you can almost read the chapters of Copenhagen’s harbor from fortress and trading port through shipbuilder and business center to a modern, creative knowledge city with integrated urban districts. The Copenhagen waterfront has been transformed into a vibrant public space with recreational activities and residential developments.
The urban regeneration of the harbor has been in progress for nearly two decades. Politicians, landowners, and investors have jointly succeeded in redeveloping these urban districts thanks to a totally new mindset. The result is a totally new area which attracts new residents and businesses as well as home-seekers, tradespeople, creative entrepreneurs, and visitors.
A host of cultural institutions and recreational hotspots have been built on the harbor, transforming it from a highly polluted industrial port into one of the most popular destinations in the Danish capital.
The plans for the harbor have included creating more activities for visitors to engage with, improved access to the waterfront and more public space by the water. New tendencies in society were a major boost for the start of the harbor’s transformation. There was recognition that the future of Copenhagen should be perceived in terms of a knowledge-city with authentic, idiosyncratic urban districts, which could attract new residents and businesses, but also hold onto people, who already populated the city.
The Opera Park has become a lush space on top of the requisite underground car park.. Photo: Studio Cobe.
The development has provided space for events, introduced nature to the site and made the area cleaner and friendlier. The latest addition to this ever-evolving urban landscape comes courtesy of local architecture Studio Cobe, which was tasked with creating parking facility for the Opera House. The Opera Park has become a lush space on top of the requisite underground car park.
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Related: Circle Bridge in Copenhagen
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Vesterbro by night. Photo: Wikimedia commons
It took about twenty years for Copenhagen to become one of Europe’s most popular cities. It is modern, fashionable, safe, democratic, business-friendly, family-friendly, recreational, green and clean.
Over the recent years, many of the buildings around Copenhagen’s port have been abandoned, which has provided an opportunity for new initiatives to develop an increasingly recreational harbor.
The unused plot for the Opera Park was originally meant for housing, but the client scrapped the plan in favor of a new recreational spot for everyone to use. The park features winding paths that cross through six gardens with vegetation from different parts of the world, inspired by the area’s history as an international trade hub. At the heart of the green space is a glass pavilion with expansive views of the surroundings and water.
Opera Park glass pavillion. Photo: Studio Cobe Copenhagen.
It is probably the areas lining the harbor that give the clearest picture of the city’s general development.
As part of the harbor’s transformation, a portable dipping zone was added by Sharing Copenhagen with the aim of creating a safe space where people can submerge in the harbor’s water. The dipping zone can move to different points along the harbor to test bathing zones and correlate with events going on in the area.
Although all of the new urban districts along the waterfront share a close relationship with the water, at the same time they could not be more diverse. All have been inspired by the geography of the setting, the existing buildings and their former use and the different ways they related to the water.
Inside the Opera Park’s glass pavilion there is a restaurant and café offering seasonal dishes, while a garden of tropical vegetation, including a 12-meter-tall tree, leads to the underground parking lot.
Another recent development is a floating community center developed in the area of Nordhavn.
Designed by local architecture practice Spektrum Arkitektur, the building is used as a shared common area for sports association Nordhavn IF and is made up of a meeting room, bathing facilities, sauna and changing rooms.
Portland Tower at Nordhavn. Photo: Martin Heiberg/Spektrum Arkitektur.
Harbor baths, bathing beaches, mooring points for canoes, kayaks and motorboats, recreational pursuits both next to and on the water, cultural venues, restaurants and cafes are already inviting Copenhageners and tourists to come and sample the pleasures of the harbor.
The Danish capital is the only capital city in Europe that has an industrial harbor that people can both swim and fish in without health risks, thanks to a modernized sewer system that has kept the harbor water clean since 2002.
And every day sees the appearance of new facilities and functions.
Copenhagen’s New Recreational Hub, written by Tor Kjolberg.
Moving to a new country is a thrilling adventure, packed with opportunities for personal growth and discovery. With its stunning natural landscapes, exceptional quality of life, and robust social welfare, Scandinavia stands out as a top destination for those pondering why to move abroad. In this article we give you insider tips and advice from expats living in Scandinavia.
Scandinavia, encompassing Sweden, Norway and Denmark, offers a mosaic of experiences catering to various lifestyles and preferences. Drawing on advice from expats living in Scandinavia, this article aims to equip you with insider tips and practical insights to navigate your transition smoothly. Whether you’re attracted by the adventure of living overseas or specifically by the Nordic charm, the guidance shared here will illuminate your path to settling in Scandinavia.
Understanding and Adjusting to Scandinavian Culture
Adapting to a new culture is a significant aspect of moving abroad, and Scandinavia is no exception. Despite the region’s reputation for openness and modernity, newcomers often face a learning curve with social norms and customs.
Scandinavian culture’s deep connection with nature is mirrored in its architecture, featuring clean lines and sustainable materials. Photo: Hilda/Pexels
One key to success is embracing the concept of “Lagom” in Sweden or “Hygge” in Denmark, which emphasizes balance and contentment. Participating in local traditions and holidays can also fast-track your cultural integration, providing a deeper understanding of the Nordic mindset.
The Scandinavian Work-Life Balance
Scandinavia is also renowned for its work-life balance, with a strong emphasis on employee well-being and flexibility. Understanding this balance is crucial for expats entering the job market here.
Unlike many countries where long hours signify dedication, Nordic countries value productivity during work hours and personal time outside. This approach fosters a healthier, more balanced lifestyle, something that expats tend to appreciate deeply once adjusted.
Community and Socializing
Building a new social circle can be daunting in any expat experience, and Scandinavia poses unique challenges and opportunities in this regard. While Scandinavians may initially come across as reserved, they are incredibly warm and welcoming once you break the ice. Engaging in community activities, joining local clubs, or attending language classes can be excellent ways to meet new people and form lasting friendships.
Practical Tips for Moving to Scandinavia
The first step in your Scandinavian adventure is ensuring you have the right to live and work there. Each country has its own set of visa and residency requirements, so it’s crucial to research and prepare your paperwork accordingly. From securing a job offer to applying for a residency permit, understanding the legal framework will help you avoid any unnecessary hurdles.
Finding a Place to Live
Housing is a critical consideration for any expat, and Scandinavia offers a wide range of options, from urban apartments to rural homes. While major cities offer more amenities and job opportunities, they also have higher living costs.
Websites and local agencies can be invaluable resources in finding a place that suits your needs and budget. Remember, understanding the common expenses when moving to Scandinavia can help you plan better and avoid surprises.
Managing Finances
The cost of living in Scandinavia is notoriously high, but so is the standard of living. Opening a local bank account, understanding the tax system, and budgeting for daily and monthly expenses will help you manage financially. Although the initial costs might be high, most expats find the quality of life and the Nordic social welfare system’s benefits worth the investment.
Outdoor Activities
One of the most distinctive aspects of Scandinavian culture is its people’s profound connection with nature. Regardless of the season, embracing the outdoors is a way of life here.
The love for the outdoors is a cornerstone of life in Scandinavia, and activities in nature are encouraged throughout the year. Photo: Agnieszka Boeske/Unsplash
IFrom skiing and ice skating in the winter to hiking and swimming in the summer, there’s always an activity to get involved in. Expats advise investing in quality outdoor clothing and gear to comfortably enjoy these activities year-round, truly embodying the local adage, “There’s no bad weather, only bad clothing.”
Sustainability Practices
Scandinavia leads by example in terms of sustainability and environmental consciousness. Living here, you’ll notice the emphasis on recycling, renewable energy, and eco-friendly transportation. In fact, going green is one of the most common pieces of advice you’ll ever get from expats living in Scandinavia.
Expats can embrace this aspect of the lifestyle by adopting practices like cycling to work, shopping for local and organic produce, and minimizing waste. This helps you integrate into the community and contribute positively to the environment.
Food and Cuisine
Scandinavian cuisine, emphasizing simplicity, freshness, and seasonal ingredients, can be a delightful discovery for expats. From Swedish meatballs and Norwegian salmon to Danish smørrebrød, the culinary scene is diverse and inviting. Expats recommend trying out local dishes and attending cooking classes to appreciate and integrate into the food culture fully. This also offers a tasty opportunity to socialize and meet locals.
Working in Scandinavia
The job market in Scandinavia is competitive but rewarding. There is a strong emphasis on skill and work-life balance. Online and in-person networking plays a crucial role in job hunting.
Additionally, while English is widely spoken, learning the local language can significantly enhance your job prospects and help you with adjusting to expat life. It showcases your commitment to integrating into the society and opens up a wider range of opportunities.
Workplace Culture
Flat hierarchies, open communication, and inclusivity characterize Scandinavian workplace culture. Decisions are often made through consensus, and employees at all levels are encouraged to voice their opinions.
This egalitarian approach fosters a respectful and collaborative work environment, which many expats find refreshing. Understanding and adapting to this culture can make your professional journey in Scandinavia a fulfilling experience.
Overcoming Challenges
While English is widely understood in Scandinavia, not speaking the local language can limit your social and professional integration. Depending on where you are, investing time in learning Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, or Finnish can vastly improve your daily life and connections with locals. Many communities offer language courses tailored to expats, which can also be a great way to meet other newcomers.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
The long, dark winters in Scandinavia can be a challenge for expats, potentially leading to SAD. Staying active, maintaining a healthy social life, and making the most of daylight hours can help mitigate these effects. Additionally, embracing winter activities and understanding the challenges of winter driving in Scandinavia can transform the colder months into a time of enjoyment rather than something to endure.
: During harsh winters, seeking advice from expats living in Scandinavia is invaluable for managing seasonal affective disorder effectively. Photo: Jonas Jacobsson/Unsplash
Image 3 Caption: During harsh winters, seeking advice from expats living in Scandinavia is invaluable for managing seasonal affective disorder effectively.
Alt-tag: A person pouring coffee outside during winter.
The Journey is the Reward
Embracing life in Scandinavia is about more than overcoming the initial hurdles of moving and adjusting; it’s about immersing yourself in a culture that values the quality of life, community, and harmony with nature. The advice from expats living in Scandinavia serves as a roadmap, guiding you through the practicalities while encouraging you to explore and engage with your new surroundings. With preparation, openness, and a sense of adventure, living in Scandinavia can be an enriching experience, offering lessons and memories that last a lifetime.
Samantha Green
Insider Tips and Advice from Expats Living in Scandinavia, written dedicatedly for Daily Scandinavian by Samantha Green. Samantha is a passionate writer who focuses on travel, cultural experiences, and the expatriate lifestyle. With years of experience living in various countries, Samantha brings a rich perspective to her readers, offering insights into life abroad, with a special fondness for the Nordic region.
More and more Scandinavians are choosing small apartments and smart solutions. They choose location and proximity to the city rather than square meters. Learn more about the art of Scandinavian small space living.
This design trend is all about being practical and stylish, which are two things that are important in smaller homes with not a lot of space. The living room is a key area to decorate in this style, as it’s the area you likely use the most and the area that guests see.
As our world becomes increasingly crowded and urbanized, more and more people are finding themselves living in small spaces. Whether you’re living in a tiny apartment or a cozy studio, there are many ways to make the most of your space without sacrificing style or comfort.
As our world becomes increasingly crowded and urbanized, more and more people are finding themselves living in small spaces.
Håkon Vigsnes, architect in the award-winning architect office Jarmund og Vigsnes in Oslo, is also a professor at the Oslo School of Architecture and Design where he teaches residential architecture with an emphasis on smaller homes. Small space living is a trend that has gained a foothold in Norway, he believes.
Small Scandi living room ideas are great ways to make your place look cozy and inviting, with a natural touch. From useful furnishings to neutral colors and textures, it really is a style that’s timeless.
One of the key techniques for small space living is to maximize storage. This means using every inch of available space, from the walls to the ceiling, and investing in multi-functional furniture. For example, a bed with built-in storage drawers or a coffee table that doubles as a work desk can help you make the most of your space.
Small space posterboy Graham Hill is the founder of the websites treehugger.com and lifeedited.com with the motto “more money, health and happiness with less stuff, space and energy”. The Canadian designer has gradually sold himself down from a luxury villa with a Volvo in the garage and a personal assistant to smaller and smaller apartments. Today, the designer lives with his partner and dogs on 38 square meters in New York.
“When I think of Scandi style what comes to mind are linen curtains, materials like wood, leather, and wicker,” says Soledad Alzaga, interior designer and founder of Soledad Alzaga Interior Design. “It’s about clean simple lines, functional but still beautiful and comfortable,” she says.
Another design trend that works well in small spaces is matte finishes. These finishes are not only sleek and modern, but they also don’t reflect light in the same way that glossy finishes do, which can help make a space feel larger and more open. Matte finishes also have the added benefit of being more forgiving when it comes to wear and tear, so they’re a great choice for high-traffic areas.
In 2015, the Norwegian architect Christopher Dyvik designed what was probably London’s smallest house according to the British newspaper Telegraph. The house was 14.7 square meters and the newspaper came with the following warning: “Don’t swing a cat in it!” “We imagined that the park across the street was the garden, and the pub on the corner was the living room,” said Dyvik.
“More money, health and happiness with less stuff, space and energy”.
“Scandinavian small space living is about smart choices that work twice as hard,” says Artem Kropovinsky, interior designer and founder of Arsight. This is also useful budget-wise, as you won’t have to spend more if you have a furniture piece that does the job of a few.
Scandinavian furniture is often designed with small spaces in mind, so it’s a great choice if you’re looking for pieces that are both stylish and practical. Plus, the light and airy feel of Scandinavian design can help make a small space feel more open and inviting.
“As architects, we may be able to compensate for missing square meters with smart and flexible solutions,” says Oslo architect Olav Resell. “We argue for space efficiency to customers, both for financial and environmental reasons,” he adds. He believes it is great if a home can appear as a well-functioning example of such an approach.
Ricky Allen is the interior designer and director of Ever Wallpaper. It sells high-quality wallpapers and murals, using non-toxic, odorless, and environmentally friendly materials. “Natural materials and textures will bring a Scandi softness into your space and are a critical aspect of Scandi design,” he explains. “This can be achieved through wooden furniture, woven storage baskets, and textured rugs.”
“Scandinavian small space living is about smart choices that work twice as hard.”
When it comes to color, neutral tones are often a good choice for small spaces. Light colors like white, beige, and gray can help make a space feel larger and more open, while darker colors can make a space feel smaller and more cramped. Of course, this doesn’t mean you have to stick to a monochromatic color scheme. Adding pops of color through accessories like throw pillows or artwork can help add personality and visual interest to your space.
Want to know where to start? “A round wood coffee table is a great way to introduce warmth in a neutral Scandi living room,” says Vivianne Chow, interior designer and co-founder of Viv and Tim Home.
“In my living room, a round pedestal coffee table creates a beautiful focal point in my otherwise neutral space.” This is also the best shape coffee table for a small living room.
In conclusion, small space living doesn’t have to mean sacrificing style or comfort. By using space-saving techniques, opting for matte finishes, and embracing Scandinavian design, you can create a space that feels both functional and beautiful.
The Art of Scandinavian Small Space Living, written by Tor Kjolberg
Mining has long been an important industry for countries around the world. Underground resources are essential for everything from building to jewellery, and as such, the income from the mining industry is a vital part of the global economy. Why is Scandinavia sauch an essential region for mining? Read on and find out.
Areas that boast large reserves of desirable minerals and metals are deemed as important for the sector. Whilst you might typically think of Australia, Canada or South Africa as mining hotspots, one key collection of countries is a little further north.
Scandinavia, with its vast resources, has long stood on the precipice of becoming a mining juggernaut. Its rich deposits of iron ore, copper, and nickel are backbones to the growing demand of the global market – Sweden in particular accounts for 90% of iron ore in Europe. But there are several other reasons why this geographical area is seen as an important region for mining. Let’s explore them in this article.
Exportation from the country via train allowed the Swedes to make the most of the demand for the metal in Europe.
Long history of mining
The Scandinavian nations have been mining for thousands of years, with Sweden holding the crown of being a world leader in iron production from the mid-1200s to the late 1800s – no mean feat, given the global changes and innovations that happened in that period. Exportation from the country via train allowed the Swedes to make the most of the demand for the metal in Europe. Norway, too, has been mining for 1,000 years, starting with the Akersberg silver mine in Oslo.
This long tradition of mining has given the Scandinavian countries the chance to fine-tune their operations and be at the forefront of any new technologies. It also meant that the infrastructure was already in place to increase production. Additionally, the depth of knowledge and understanding about the mining process is high, with workers of all levels of seniority understanding the craft.
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Related: Norway’s Mining Past
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Underground operations have a big overhead lighting cost.
Low energy costs
Energy costs are a big factor when it comes to the profitability of mining operations. Not only is a huge amount of power needed to actually run the machinery, but underground operations have a big overhead lighting cost. Plus, old machinery isn’t as energy efficient as new technologies, but it can be costly to keep equipment up-to-date, so many companies won’t replace it until it’s broken.
However, a lot of the energy produced in the Scandinavian countries comes from renewable sources, such as hydro, wind or solar power, with biomass also playing a smaller part. This means that mining companies can benefit from cheaper prices, reducing their associated costs and leaving more money for other aspects of the process.
Environmental efforts
Some Swedish manufacturers are also trying to lead the way towards greener, more energy-efficient alternatives to the standard mining process. A lot of traditional machinery is run on fossil fuels such as diesel, resulting in a huge negative impact on the planet. Electric alternatives could be the first step in moving mining towards a more sustainable future.
On a wider scale, the Swedish Association of Mines, Minerals and Metal Products (SveMin) is actively working towards a sustainable roadmap. Initiatives include increasing biodiversity in mining areas, tracing sustainable metals via certification and working towards fossil-fuel-free mining operations by 2035, and climate-neutral processing by 2045. Whilst these targets are still in the future, the fact that industry bodies are thinking about them is a good first step. If they can get these processes working in Scandinavia, then other countries may be able to learn and follow suit.
Generally, the Scandinavian nations are politically stable.
Political stability
The political party in charge might not seem like a mitigating factor in the success of independent mining operations, but it can play a surprisingly important role. Political uncertainty can deter investments, fuel legal complexities, and escalate operational costs through heightened risk premiums. Investors seek assurances that their investments are insulated against shifts in regulations, expropriation, or fiscal unpredictability. In comparison, political calm allows mining companies to plan for the long term, creating sustainable practices, fostering community relations, and investing in the environmental recovery of mining sites.
Generally, the Scandinavian nations are politically stable, and this allows them to keep a steady flow of mining operations running. In a time where there is a lot of turmoil in the world, this may be crucial to the global supply chain.
Why is Scandinavia sauch an essential region for mining? Written for Daily Scandinavian by Madeline Collins.Madeline has a particular interest in the sustainable mining sector, and focuses her writing on countries that promote ethical practices. She is interested to see how the industry rises to the challenge of climate change and looks forward to the innovation this will bring.
Right now using this tool, I see a flight from Oslo to Cape Town for NOK 4,055. For those of you with a stomach for adventure you can travel to Marrakesh for NOK 2,360 or Manila for NOK 3,957. These are just what I see while I casually looking as I write in this text. If I took time to really dig in, I may be able to find even cheaper flights to those destinations.
If you prefer to get on to your intended destinations as quickly as possible, you can book a flight that departs from the regional hub a few hours after you arrive. This technique requires that you go through customs and pick up your luggage in order to recheck it, so be sure to allow enough time (at least two hours is recommended, but I have done it with less time available). You just created a faux layover and saved hundreds of bucks in doing so.
