Admire the stunning view of the magnificent Sea of Åland while you let yourself relax in a traditional spa at hotel Havsbaden in Grisslehamn. This is indeed an extraordinary Swedish spa hotel.
Exquisitely located in Grisslehamn with gupping waves and splashing plankton below lies this charming conference facility. Already 200 years ago, Grisslehamn was a popular destination, and in 1903 Havsbaden was built as a first version of today’s facility.
New rooms and programs have created a place that’s rather a destination than just a hotel.
Recover from hectic everyday life
Here you will achieve complete relaxation and you will be able to rest and recover from hectic everyday life. Located 110 km north of Stockholm, this spa hotel has got a new life. After two years long renovation, Hotel Havsbaden opened its doors again in July 2018. New rooms and programs have created a place that’s rather a destination than just a hotel.
122 rooms still make the hotel an intimate facility. The bedrooms are furnished in turn of the century and welcome into a time capsule back in time. All double rooms have views of waves and rocks while the single rooms offer 120 cm wide beds for a comfortable rest.
7 conference rooms and 3 group rooms
The location could not be better for a spa hotel. During the weekdays, the hotel mostly hosts conferences, and there’s room for up to 350 participants per conference. There are 7 conference rooms and 3 group rooms. The Roslagen is the largest, with space for up to 120 people in charismatic warm interior with carpet and soft green walls. Kobben, Svartklubben and Klippan are suitable for 14-60 people and are also flexible for different seats, all with their own style and color chart.
In Loskäret and Albert Engström, smaller groups meet in a richly surrounded environment. Last (but not least) is Udkiken, a round facility located at the top of one of the towers, where 8 people combine together with extensive views of the archipelago.
At Havsbaden you will be able to rest and recover from hectic everyday life
Indulge in a chocolate massage
The hotel is equipped with large panorama windows to fully benefit from the fantastic view. Hotel Havsbaden is not a massive spa hotel, but has an intimate and personal vibe and guests can benefit from the small size of the hotel and spa. One of the specialties on the spa menu is the chocolate massage, which is effective for both body and mind.
A trip to Åland is just 4 ½ hours by boat, here M/S Eckerö
Enjoy plenty of fresh seafood
Food is something really special at Havsbaden, very much influenced by proximity to the sea. Guests can take delight in their evenings with plenty of fresh seafood locally sourced. A particular focus is in fact given to the use of local ingredients both for freshness and environmental impact. In the dining room visitors will enjoy fantastic dishes while admiring the view to the fishing harbor. Beaches and cliffs are located close to the hotel, and make it ideal for those who love sunbathing.
During the weekends, the hotel welcomes individuals who want to relax from their everyday routine. There are many cozy options at Hotell Havsbaden.
From Gisslehamn
Popular weekend-packages
“We offer a large range of weekend packages. There’s one that we simply call ‘Just Be’, that includes spa, a nice dinner, breakfast, a robe, and slippers. This has become a popular package,” says Anton Lukeniuk, who is in charge of marketing at the hotel and who’s worked with developing the new concept.
Another popular activity that can be combined with a stay at Hotel Havsbaden is a trip to Åland which is just 4 ½ hours by boat. The spa hotel greets guests all year around with special offerings every season.
An Extraordinary Swedish Spa Hotel, written by Tor Kjolberg
When we choose suppliers and products for our store, we make sure that they will represent both the Nordic spirit and a high standard of quality. The brands we choose to work with are usually based on Scandinavian values like tradition, nature, and sustainability. Learn about the ten top Scandinavian brands and why we love them.
The clothes, shoes, bags, and other items they create are made to last, some even get passed down from generation to generation. Of course, we also like to present new and trendy items from younger, more untraditional companies, but they all have two things in common; High quality and the Scandinavian spirit of exploring nature.
Scandinavian Explorer As the name implies, these clothes are made for travel. Designed by Norsemen that have the Norwegian custom of “The Sunday Hike” installed in their backbone, Scandinavian Explorer makes clothes for the whole family.
As the name implies, clothes from Scandinavian Explorer are made for travel
These colorful down jackets are not only made to protect you from the weather, they are inspired by it! Warm yellow, orange and pink hues from the midnight sun, the bright white snow, cool blue rain, and the magic green of the Northern Lights.
You will find that Scandinavian nature has inspired this brand to create some of the most beautiful colors for their garments.
When they add the technical experience of what will work in the ever-changing weather conditions of the Nordic countries, Scandinavian Explorer knows how to keep you warm and dry.
Complete with an eye for both the classic and modern fashion, these fleeces, rain jackets, sweaters, socks, hats, and mittens will also make you feel fresh and comfortable in the city as well as the mountains.
Continue reading the Ten top Scandinavian brands and why we love them
Dale of Norway An institution in the world of knitwear, the Dale of Norway textile factory has remained active in the village of Dale in Norway for centuries. Being one of the very few textile companies with production in Norway, they pay close attention to every stage of the production. This ensures great quality in every garment – a Dale of Norway trademark since 1879.
Their primary focus has always been to make knitted clothing like merino wool sweaters, jackets, and accessories. Skilled knitters and artisans have joined Dale’s production, often followed by their family members. Subsequently, their experience and expertise were passed on to the next generation. Generations of Norwegians have worked in their factory their whole lives.
Dale of Norwayis an institution in the world of knitwear
Dale of Norway is really an integral part of Norwegian history and culture. Since the 1956 Cortina Winter Olympics, they have provided the national Norwegian ski team with official sweaters for all Winter Olympic Games and World Championships. Later they were chosen by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to design official sweaters for the Winter Olympics, with the right to use the Olympic rings.
These official sweaters, often named after the location of the event, remain popular for years afterward – contributing to the Dale of Norway brand being well-known all over the world. You can find some of them in our store.
Helly Hansen Making layers on layers of waterproof and windproof protective fabrics that also ensure the ability to breathe! Helly Hansen has been making professional-grade gear like jackets and life jackets, to help people stay alive and feel alive for more than 140 years!
Helly Hansen gear is worn and trusted by professional sailors on oceans, professional athletes skiing down mountains, and workers getting the job done at worksites all around the world.
Helly Hansen has developed jackets and other sporty clothes that can live through generations
All the way back in 1877, a sea captain called Helly Juell Hansen, and his wife Margrethe launched a business. They made waterproof oilskin jackets, trousers, sou’westers, and tarpaulins made from coarse linen soaked in linseed oil, a great innovation at the time.
Over the years, Helly Hansen has developed jackets and other sporty clothes that can live through generations. Long-lasting products require durable materials, that is also an advantage for the environment.
Helly Hansen’s sailing gear is worn by world-class sailors across all five oceans and many of the world’s top skiers swear by this brand.
A core value for Helly Hansen is safety, and wearing their amazing rain jackets with layers of high- tech fabrics will make you feel protected in all kinds of weather. Check out our selection in the Mall of Norway store.
Continue reading the Ten top Scandinavian brands and why we love them
ECCO A Danish Icon, these shoes are made for more than walking! The heart and soul (no, that’s not a typo, it’s a pun!) of their shoes is craftsmanship and innovation. Every pair of shoes and every bag is designed from high-quality leathers and other sustainable materials.
Sustainability is in fact a core value that defines not only the production of their shoes and bags, but that also is an inspiration for all their designs, as many of them are inspired by nature itself.
Every pair of shoes and every bag from ECCO is designed from high-quality leathers and other sustainable materials
Another area of focus for Ecco is comfort. Your feet should always feel at home and well taken care of when you put your shoes on. Technology is used to find the right balance and the very best materials for your feet.
If it is to put a bounce in your step with Phorene midsoles, a firm grip with Michelin rubber outsoles or the patented 100% waterproof Gore-Tex to keep you dry and warm.
From beautiful shoes to rugged terrain shoes, classic dress shoes and comfy sandals that let your feet breathe and feel happy, to classy and practical bags and backpacks, Ecco combines style and quality in a unique way. You will find it hard to let them go, fortunately they will last you longer than most.
Continue reading the Ten top Scandinavian brands and why we love them
Fjällräven It is hard to travel the Scandinavian countries without seeing one of these backpacks out and about. In the city or on the mountain, it fits in everywhere, and almost every Scandinavian has one at some point in their lives. Some are even handed down from generation to generation.
The idea behind this famous backpack was to make it easier to explore nature, by creating a bag that could hold everything you needed for a hike, but still be comfortable on your body. As the years went by, they also developed other items for all who enjoy being outdoors, like tents, sleeping bags, jackets, coats, belts, purses, and pocketbooks.
Of course, this brand is all about nature and also preserving it in the best possible way, so making sure that it is not disturbed more than necessary is a big part of Fjällrävens vision. Focusing on what nature needs, developing clothes and gear that will last for generations, and choosing partners that share the love of nature and sustainability is a huge part of their philosophy.
What does the fox say? Probably that you should get your own Fjällräven backpack, because they are amazing!
Røros Tweed Have you ever admired the magnificent Scandinavian nature of mountains and fjords and just wished that you could wrap yourself in it? With a blanket from Røros Tweed, you will come pretty close to that feeling.
These high-quality blankets are made in Norway, carefully knitted in Norwegian wool, created in collaboration with some of the leading designers and textile artists in Scandinavia. The factory itself, curiously situated at 600 meters above sea level at Røros, has an interesting backstory.
Røros Tweed – Flette. The motifs of Naturpledd are inspired yarn and the various techniques that can be done in weaving, braiding, knots and knitting. Naturpledd series is made only of natural dyed yarn – without artificial coloring – resulting in a 100% natural product. Naturpledd by Kristine Five Melvær won Best Textiles in 2015 ICFF Editors Awards
A wealthy CEO donated his fortune to the poor people of Røros, but in an untraditional way. He ordered wool and linen to be bought and handed out so that they could make warm clothing from the materials to be sold.
They got paid for their work and every year clothes were handed out, some were given back to the people who made them. As the years passed, this legacy developed into a factory and Røros Tweed was made. Curtains, fabrics for furniture, blankets, and tweed were made.
Today, Røros Tweed is most known for their blankets, both for kids and adults, and they are inspired by the cultural legacy of Røros and its mountain landscape. You will find both traditional colors and organic patterns by Karen Staver and Judy D. Lundin as well as more modern and artistic designs like Bjarne Melgaard and Ingunn Birkeland.
Continue reading Ten top Scandinavian brands and why we love them
Twentyfour Like their name says, these clothes can be worn all day, all night! Made to be worn skiing in the steep slopes of the Nordic mountains, but also for a night out. The philosophy for Twentyfour is to make clothing that can be worn anytime, anywhere!
Pairing traditional Norwegian design with new and fresh colors, anoraks and pants from Twentyfour are made for movement
Pairing traditional Norwegian design with new and fresh colors, these anoraks and pants are made for movement. Wear them dancing at the after-ski, or hiking in beautiful Norwegian nature, the light and smooth fabrics move right along with you.
Established in 2006, this is a young brand with a fresh and youthful style that embraces technical details to ensure quality and durability. Still, there is the occasional nod to the good old days, with designs inspired by more classic Norwegian pieces.
Combine your favorite pair of pants and anorak for a complete look, check out our selection in the Mall of Norway store.
100% Norwegian wool, carefully spun and made into long-lasting, comfortable sweaters
Rauma Combining high tech knitting in the form of whole garment, with both modern and traditional Norwegian patterns, Rauma brings together the best of both worlds.
100% Norwegian wool, carefully spun and made into these long-lasting, comfortable sweaters, is the fundament for Rauma’s success.
Famous for their traditional knitting patterns of classics like Marius, Setesdal, and Fana, and their yarn of top quality, Rauma has expanded their business to include clothing. The whole process of manufacturing, from wool to finished product, is done in their factory in Romsdalen in the middle of Norway.
These are knitted sweaters and hats you will fall in love with, and they are long-lasting, so it is true love! Wear them while you explore the Norwegian landscapes, maybe enjoying a trip to the most famous waterfalls, or the finest beaches in Norway.
Knitwear from Rauma is also perfect for snuggling up in a cabin with your own knitwork, maybe wearing a modern classic like Spire will inspire you to knit an old classic like Marius? It’s a great gift too!
Norlender is a family-owned business with a history that dates back to 1927
Norlender Knitwear How about a modern and rough spin on the classic knitted woolen sweater?
Norlender is a family-owned business with a history that dates back to 1927. Now 90 years and three generations later, Norlender is one of the few existing textile factories in Norway.
They are very proud to be able to offer garments made from Norwegian 100 % pure new wool from yarns spun in Norway, and knitted and manufactured at their factory on the Norwegian west coast.
Norlender always uses high-quality yarns, and they cooperate with skilled spinners in both Norway and Europe. Norway is known internationally for the high quality of its woolen clothing.
To stay warm in the cold and often wet climate of the north has been a key factor for survival, and wool is a natural fiber with the extraordinary properties to do just that and has been used in Norway for clothing for over 6000 years.
Continue reading the Ten top Scandinavian brands and why we love them
Marius Kids Is there a better gift than a cozy sweater, dress or jumpsuit with the traditional Marius pattern? We think not! Marius Kids have the rights to the famous pattern for children’s wear from the ages 0-12, and they have designed the cutest outfits for your little ones.
If you have a bunch of cuties, it is always fun to dress them up in matching outfits
Both the old, traditional red, white, and blue pattern with the colors of the Norwegian flag and more modern colors like mint, pink, and light blue, are among the designs.
If you have a bunch of cuties, it is always fun to dress them up in matching outfits, and you can do that with the fun and practical Marius Kids’ clothes.
Exploring new materials like bamboo is part of this brand’s focus on sustainable production, and they always make sure to leave room for movement, fun, and play with their cool garments for the little ones. If you are going outdoors, there are hats and mittens to match as well.
Make the best memories, and maybe a great Christmas card?
Ten top Scandinavian brands and why we love them, written exclusively for Daily Scandinavian by the Mall of Norway marketing team.
Being outdoors in nature has a profound effect on your health and wellbeing. A study of more than 20,000 participants done by the University of Exeter found that those who spent more than two hours a week outdoors in green spaces reported better psychological wellbeing and good health. Learn how to enjoy nature In Stockholm and boost your wellbeing.
The results were the same whether the participants were financially rich or poor, whatever their occupation, and regardless of whether they were living with a disability or chronic illness. It was simply conclusive that nature has a positive impact on our lives. Although Stockholm is a big city, there is also an abundance of nature, parks and green spaces to spend time in. If you’re visiting, you can spend time out in nature and boost your own sense of wellbeing as well as enjoying the city.
in the 1500s, Humlegården was a royal garden, established to grow hops, fruits and spices by Johan III. Photo: Wikipedia
Humlegården, Östermalm Humlegården is a green space with prestige: in the 1500s it was a royal garden, established to grow hops, fruits and spices by Johan III. The word “humle” actually translates as “hops.” In 1686, Queen Eleonora of Denmark built the beautiful Rotunden Pavillion in the park for her family. Humlegården is a green oasis, perfect for a lunchtime walk, and you will see plenty of people from the business district enjoying lunch. Even a short time in nature can help improve your mood so you feel refreshed. A study done by the University of Essex on people living with depression found that 75% of them felt less depressed after a walk through a country park. At Humlegården, there are plenty of walking trails that you can follow, as well as good routes for cycling.
The diverse area of Björnö includes pine forests, wetlands, farmland and beaches . Phpoto: Visit Stockholm
Björnö Nature Reserve Located in the Stockholm Archipelago is the much-loved Björnö Nature Reserve. This diverse area includes pine forests, wetlands, farmland and beaches – you certainly wouldn’t notice that you are so near a capital city. At the nature reserve you can enjoy some wild swimming, rent a kayak for the afternoon, and even follow an underwater snorkel trail. Björnö Nature Reserve is also very popular for hikers: you can either go off the beaten track or follow one of the forest trails that leads you round the reserve. You can easily spend the whole day at the Björnö Nature Reserve and even enjoy a family barbecue, using one of the many free barbecues that are laid out.
Until 1974, Låmgholmen was a prison fortress. Photo: Visit Stockholm
Långholmen, Södermalm Långholmen has had a transformation – until 1974, it was a prison fortress. This beautiful park is now known for its sandy beaches and beautiful crystal-blue waters. It is a popular place with locals for swimming in all seasons. There is also a big allotment garden that is well-used for growing produce. Långholmen has beautiful walking trails through the gardens and woodland areas, and you can also enjoy cycling. The old prison has now become a museum with a popular hostel so you can stay on the island and enjoy a relaxing few days in nature.
Even in a busy city, Stockholm has some beautiful nature reserves and public parks that you can enjoy. Spending regular time in nature can help improve your mood and give you a sense of wellbeing: what better reason is there to explore all that Stockholm has to offer?
Karoline Gore
Enjoy Nature In Stockholm And Boost Your Wellbeing, written exclusively for Daily Scandinavian by Karoline Gore. Karoline is a freelance writer from Stoke on Trent in the UK who left the corporate grind when she started a family and has never looked back. She enjoys contributing to a range of online publications on the topics that are important to her.
Feature image (on top): Photo by Jon Flobrant/Unsplash
Twas the Night before Christmas, a poem by Clement Clarke Moore
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
Photo by: Erwan Hesry/Unsplash
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
Photo: Fan Kiefer/Unsplash
“Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.
His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
Photo: Chad Madden/Unsplash
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!”
Most people hold tight to their families’ holiday traditions, especially when it comes to food. Most of us have that one recipe that just can’t be modified, in even the smallest way. Here Norwegian chefs reveal their favorite holiday food traditions.
Christmas is just around the corner! Christmas dinners are an important part of the Norwegian Christmas tradition, which mean a busy time for restaurants and chefs (at least under normal conditions). Although there are many restrictions this year due to the corona pandemic, many restaurants in Western Norway offer traditional Christmas dinners in safe surroundings.
But how do chefs actually celebrate Christmas themselves? Do they cook at home after cooking pork a hundred times in their restaurant, or do they eat something completely different? Western Norway’s top chefs reveal their Christmas food traditions.
Christmas is all about “la faiglia” for Sven Erik Renaa
Sven Erik Renaa, chef at and owner of the 2 stars Michelin restaurant Re-Naa, Lou Lou cocktail bar and Renaa Express in Stavanger says that Christmas is all about “la famiglia”. Christmas is family time for most people and for the Renaa family it’s no exception. He loves to gather family and friends and prefers to make the Christmas dinner himself. Sven Erik is generous with the menu and since he has a large family, it contains something for everybody. He makes roast duck with accessories and he makes chops that are both smoked and unsmoked served together with Vossakorv (sausages from Voss). Renaa does not forget his Italian heritage and the passatelli soup is a must, often added with white truffle.
Sven Erik Renaa, chef at and owner of the 2 stars Michelin restaurant Re-Naa. Photo: Wikipedia
Renaa has also some inside tips on how to make Christmas food tase even better! If you serve ribs for Christmas, the most important thing is to use the best pig you can get hold of. It should be fresh and must not have been vacuum packed. Keep your local butcher store alive and buy it from them. When it comes to pinnekjøtt (based on lamb ribs) it must be watered out well. “Spend lot of time doing this,” he emphasizes. Otherwise, Sven Erik swears to making his own side dishes. Christmas is special and earns that we spend a little extra time and not buy ready-made dishes.
Different family traditions ended up in lobster and champagne
Ørjan Johannessen is winner of Bocuse d’Or 2015 and chef at Bekkjarvik Gjestgiveri. For Christmas, the whole family gathers – wife Cecile and daughter Leah Mirambelle, Ørjan’s mother, father, sister and brother with brothers-in-law and parents-in-law.
On Christmas Eve, the Johannessen family has a tradition of eating lobster – fished in season by Ørjan’s father and served with Champagne. The Johannessen family is a mixture between people from the west, from the east – and a little Danish. No wonder he makes chops with turnip puree, sauerkraut, fat and potato ribs with red cabbage, small potatoes glazed in caramel and butter and rib sauce. He also serves coarse pork sausages.
Ørjan Johannessen is winner of Bocuse d’Or 2015 and chef at Bekkjarvik Gjestgiveri
And for dessert: Rice a la mande with cherry sauce and Queen Maud pudding.
Ørjan usually starts preparing the dinner after breakfast starting with the dishes that need longest time (ribs and chops). However, much of the dinner is made before Christmas eve, for example red cabbage, Queen Maud pudding, rice porridge, salting of the ribs and peeling off turnips and potatoes.
The rest of the day is just about having a good time and resting before the guests arrive at 5 pm.
On the first day of Christmas, the regular Christmas cod served with roe, liver and stirred butter is usually on the menu. He drives out to some fishing friends and picks up cod the same day. The second day of Christmas is Ørjan and Cecile’s Christmas brunch. “Leftovers” from the days before are collected and Ørjan makes Pâté a croute of ribs, knuckles, pistachios and lots of other goodies.
Good ingredients often make dinner better. Ørjan’s tip is to find a good pork or chops, and juicy turnips. He recommends calculating sufficient time on the rib so that it has time to rest, preferably 4 hours if possible.
Buy meat from a local farmer is best tip from Ronny Kolvik Bro restaurant in Ålesund is owned by chef Ronny Kolvik and is listed in the White Guide Nordic.
Ronny teams up with his family and in-laws when he is going to celebrate Christmas. He has tested steamed chops in dark beer in his grill, but usually there is traditional healthy Christmas food on the table on Christmas Eve. And typical of Sunnmøre, it should be made fully sufficient.
Ronny teams up with his family and in-laws when he is going to celebrate Christmas
The Kolvik family does not settle for pork only. It should also be pork ribs, sauerkraut, red cabbage, cabbage radish paste, Danish pork sausage, vossakorv and local tenderloin. For dessert, a good homemade caramel pudding, or fresh cloudberry cream.
Ronny Kolvik’s best tip for giving the Christmas dinner an extra good taste is to buy meat from a local farmer, or pay what it costs to buy good quality meat on the special day of the year. It makes a big difference! He also suggests making your own sauerkraut and red cabbage in advance. In the red cabbage he adds goodies like dried figs, raisins, apricots, anise, orange peel, cloves, black currants and currants.
Mum is still responsible for Kristian Bretten Vangen’s Christmas dinner Restauran BARE in Hotel Børsen, Bergen, received one Michelin star earlier this year. The star chef is Kristian Bretten Vangen.
It is still mum who has made the Christmas dinner when Kristian leaves Bergen and returns to his childhood home in Asker. On Christmas Eve, the family makes both chops and pork ribs, since his grandmother does not eat lamb, while his father cannot eat anything but chops. Therefore, his mother has to double up. This is another proof of how deep the traditions are. For Kristian, Christmas means to indulge in love and coziness.
Star chef Kristian Bretten Vangen. Prwess photo: Helge Hanssen
Norwegian Chefs Reveal Their Favorite Holiday Food Traditions, is based on a press release from Mynewsdesk.
Feature image (on top): Photo: Opplysningskontoret for egg og kjøtt
Until about 50 years ago, cucumbers were eaten only in late spring and summer. The arrival of the first cucumbers was awaited with eagerness, a feeling now reserved only for the very first new potatoes. Read more about Scandinavian cucumber.
The watery cucumbers that we buy in their plastic sarcophagi all year round cannot be compared to the freshly picked summer cucumbers that are sweet, heavy and crisp, with a much lower water content and much more taste.
Cucumbers have been known and grown in the north for a very long time
Cucumbers have been known and grown in the north for a very long time, and have found their place both fresh as salad greens and pickled. They match the favorite herb dill and horseradish, whatever way you choose to prepare them.
How it grows Most cucumbers in Scandinavia are grown in greenhouses, and many people grow their own.
Appearance and taste Most of our cultivars are the same as in the rest of the world, except for the asier, a Nordic cultivar which is a very large, thick, fleshy, and thick-skinned cucumber. It is filled with inedible hard seeds, and is used only for pickling, while still green. If it is successfully pickled it will be extremely crisp, and is used in the same way as pickled gherkins and cucumbers.
Cucumber is a favourite topping for liver paste on rye bread
Culinary uses There are not many ways to prepare cucumber. It’s a favourite topping for liver paste on rye bread or is used in salads, often with dill. It can also be pickled in different ways, with more dill, and a few slices of horseradish, making the most of both the sharp taste and amazing preserving qualities of horseradish.
Sweet-and-sour cucumber salad Preserved in a vinegar marinade, the salad will keep for several weeks in the fridge. Eat on open sandwiches, with chicken, frikadeller or sausages.
100ml water
100ml cider vinegar
4 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon coarse sea salt
I teaspoon coarsely ground
black pepper
2 small cucumbers
Serves 4
Put the water, vinegar and seasoning in a pan and bring to the boil. Meanwhile, slice the cucumber finely (with the peel on), then place in a bowl. Pour over the boiling marinade and have it to cool before serving.
The globe is beginning to feel the effects of climate change at an accelerated rate than at any other time in the history of the world. The Nordic nations’ geographical location makes them more vulnerable to climate change effects and reports are already showing the negative effects. Read more about how the Nordics are standing up to climate change
Global warming is being felt within the Nordic belt, with statistics showing an increase in temperatures ranging between 0.30c–0.450c per decade, a trend which is worrying, owing to the continued melting of ice within the arctic region.
Global warming is being felt within the Nordic belt, with statistics showing an increase in temperatures ranging between 0.30c–0.450c per decade
Moving Away from Fossil Fuel The Nordics are at the forefront of a 100% adaptation to green energy aimed at reducing carbon emissions responsible for the global rise in temperature. Sweden is a major consumer of biofuel and has increased the production of wind energy and hydropower.
Denmark relies more on wind power, accounting for about 40% of the nation’s total consumption, with Finland adapting to biofuels, wind, and hydro energy. Norway is leading in the consumption of renewable energy, with hydropower taking the highest percentage.
Iceland is impressively almost 100% renewable energy generation with hydropower at 73% and geothermal at 27%. There are many college essays available online that students in the Nordic education department have written about moving away from fossil fuel.
Within the Nordic nations, the governments are involving their population in embracing climate change adaptions
Involvement of The Nordic Population in climate-change: Essay example Within the Nordic nations, the governments are involving their population in embracing climate change adaptions. In a campaign called climate stand-up, Nordic comedians are spreading the message of climate change’s effects on the population.
Schools and colleges are adapting to the students’ role in climate change by involving climate change college campaigns. Environmental education is taking shape in colleges, something evident in essay writing by Nordic students.
Gathered at the climate summit in Helsinki, from back left: Norway’s Minister of Climate and Environment Ola Elvestuen; Denmark’s Minister of Energy, Utilities and Climate Lars Christian Lilleholt; Norway’s Prime Minister Erna Solberg; Finland’s Prime Minister Juha Sipilä; Iceland’s Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdóttir; Sweden’s Minister for International Development Cooperation and Climate, and Deputy Prime Minister Isabella Lövin; and Iceland’s Minister for the Environment and Natural Resources Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson. Photographer: Laura Kotila/Valtioneuvoston kanslia
There are environmental activists in the forefront and the Nordic governments have given them the freedom to spread their campaigns without interruptions, even as the Nordic youth are taking part as sustainable change-makers towards a transition to sustainable consumption and production of renewable energy.
The awareness campaigns also greatly lie in the hands of Nordic students as they write blogs, articles and essays to spread their ideas and views. When students write in their papers about climate change, it is sure to be revolutionary. If you are also of similar views, you can refer to EduZaurus for free essay samples on climate change and much more. After all, it’s a global issue, so it needs global participation from students.
To enhance cooperation and focus on the Nordic climatic change goals, the administration has come up with key organizations and initiatives
Nordic’s Progressive Policies to Combat Climate Change The Nordic governments are working on the implementation of policies designed towards the reduction of carbon emissions to mitigate climate change while at the same time working towards sustainable economic growth.
Some of the policies include:
Social responsibility for adaptation of green energy policies:
The industries agree with government policies and are setting the factories to lower levels of emissions and Nordic’s are currently the highest importers of electric cars.
Nordic forests and carbon sinks aimed at increasing the forest cover
Creation of local market opportunities for consumption of green technology
Tapping the most into the renewable resources: The Nordic government is committed to maximally tapping into wind power, hydro, geo, and biofuel energy resources.
All these key policies are tied to climate change mitigation in the short term and the long-term vision of the Nordic administration. The education department is not left behind in these policies and the government is engaging college student empowerment on the knowledge of government’s green policies.
Any slight change in global warming impacts the Nordic nations massively due to their proximity to the arctic circle
Formation of Key Nordic Organizations and Initiatives To enhance cooperation and focus on the Nordic climatic change goals, the administration has come up with key organizations and initiatives like:
Nordic Council of Ministers: promoting green growth initiative.
Nordic Way Website: featuring examples of Nordic green initiative
Nordic Development Fund: financing green initiatives in other continents
Nordic Climate Facility: transfer of green knowledge to developing nations.
How the Nordics Are Standing Up to Climate Change – Conclusion Any slight change in global warming impacts the Nordic nations massively due to their proximity to the arctic circle. As a result, the Nordic administration is at the forefront of implementing the 2016 Paris Agreement (UNFCCC), where nations agreed to mitigate, adapt, and finance programs that work against greenhouse emissions. Every government project within the Nordic region is set to operate within the key progressive policies for combating climate change.
How the Nordics Are Standing Up to Climate Change is written exclusively for Daily Scandinavian by Emma Rundle. Emma works for an environmental NGO as a senior program manager and looks after the global warming control initiatives in North America. She’s a part-time academic writer and helps students write essays and research papers around this topic and everything around science and technology. Her free time is for watching movies, playing with pets and writing poems.
Feature image (on top): Photo: Vita Thomsen/Norden.org
Because of climate change, a huge haul of arrows dating from the Stone Age to the medieval period have in recent years melted out of a single ice patch in Norway. Read more about how secrets of the ice in Norway has been revealed.
According to the journal The Holocene, researchers from the Universities of Cambridge, Oslo and Bergen have discovered 68 arrow shafts, some with arrowheads attached. The arrowheads are made of a range of materials, including bone, slate, iron and mussel shell. In some cases, the ice even preserved twine and tar used to hold the arrow together.
William Taylor, an anthropologist at the University of Colorado Boulder who was not involved in the study, tells New Scientist that the discoveries represent a “treasure trove” not usually found in a single patch of melting ice.
Members of the Secrets of the Ice team packing finds in the Lendbreen pass. Photo: Johan Wildhagen, Palookaville
The study was surrounded by secrecy for a long period because the area was so rich in artefacts. The oldest arrows date from around 4100 BC while the youngest are from roughly AD 1300, based on radiocarbon analysis. However, the dates aren’t evenly distributed across the millennia, raising questions about whether environmental conditions during some periods were more likely to preserve fallen arrows than at other times. Peaks and troughs in reindeer hunting activity could also have played a role.
“Doing fieldwork here and finding all the arrows was an incredible experience, an archaeologist’s dream. I remember telling the crew: ‘Enjoy the moment as much as you can. You will never experience anything like it again,’” said Lars Holger Pilø from Innlandet County Council’s Department of Cultural Heritage, who is a co-author of the paper.
Viking Age spear, originally found in one piece in front of the Lendbreen ice patch. Photo: Vegard Vike, Museum of Cultural History
Based on the nearly 300 specimens of reindeer antler and bone also secreted by the ice, and the fact that reindeer still frequent the area, the archaeologists are confident that the area served as a key hunting ground for millennia.
“We thought that one item could perhaps be as old as the Viking Age if we were lucky,” Lars Holgar Pilø, writes on Secrets of the Ice, a website maintained by the researchers.
“When the radiocarbon date came back it turned out to be much older—3300 years old, from the Early Bronze Age. That find was a real shocker for us.”
Ancient horse dung found in the depression at the top of the Lendbreen ice patch.
The ice storage has shifted and deformed over time, meaning that the arrows, arrow heads and other items have been moved over the years. This means it’s difficult to read too much into the specific activities they were used for, says Pilø.
Secrets of the Ice in Norway Revealed, written by Tor Kjolberg
In competition with the companies Heymat, Swims and Vestre, the 2020 Export Award was given to Norwegian furniture manufacturer Ekornes, best known for its Stressless collection.
“2020 has been a special year. Closed markets and order shortages in March have now turned into record order intake and growth in all markets. We are very pleased to be named export company of the year”, says Øystein Vikingsen Fauske, Executive Vice President of Ekornes.
Furniture manufacturing was new to Sunnmøre which gave the founder, Jens Ekornes, his first customers.
For several decades, the furniture manufacturer Ekornes has consolidated its position as a solid export company, with carefully selected distribution channels that extend throughout the world. Today, the export share is as high as 90 percent, with the USA and Germany as the most important markets.
The manufacturer in Sykkylven is best known for its Stressless collection, which since 1971 has sold over 10 million seats.
After design company Fora Form relaunched the chair in 1994, it has sold a quarter of a million pieces at home and abroad.
The Beginning
J.E. Ekornes Fjærfabrikk started production in 1934 with three employees and German-made machines. Furniture manufacturing was new to Sunnmøre which gave the founder, Jens Ekornes, his first customers. Soon after, springs were used in furniture and mattresses throughout Norway.
Svane mattress
Jens Ekornes developed an interest in springs and mattresses, but he wanted them to differ from the heavy steel-spring mattresses on wooden frames. Once he understood how the springs worked, he went back to his factory and built the first Svane (Swan) mattress. New products and factories followed with a steadily increasing workforce.
1935-38
Jens Ekornes presented his idea for internal springs at a major furniture exhibition in Ålesund. His springs were linked together by steel coils and could be used in mattresses and furniture cushions. Three versions of Svane mattresses were launched on the market.
1940s
Jens Ekornes traveled to the USA and worked in a mattress factory to learn about the trade. His brothers, Martin and Leif, looked after the business while he was away. Jens Ekornes bought American machinery to produce upholstered spring mattresses at a more reasonable price. The factory also started manufacturing wooden components for sofa beds and mattress bases.
1950s
Mattress production began. They also produced foamed plastic which became an important
element in the manufacturing process of Ekornes’ mattresses and furniture, including on the open market.
Ekornes lounge furniture
1960s
Ekornes launches their first collection of lounge furniture. They began marketing their brand and products with newsletters to every household in the country followed by an Ekornes catalog every year. At the end of the 1960s, mattress production moved from Sykkylven to Fetsund and they launched their first leather lounge furniture.
1970s
Stressless was introduced in 1971, as the first recliner designed to meet your body’s need for movement and support when seated. The characteristic TV-recliner was a revolution in comfort and functionality, and soon became an international success.
Offering patented features, you won’t find on other recliners, from the glide system that follows your slightest movements, to the Plus™ system for correct neck and lumbar support in every position, Stressless® is still known as the ultimate recliner.
The first Stressless was launched in Norway and immediately became the first real TV chair. You could lean backwards and rest, watch TV in comfort or turn around to face the coffee table with one easy movement. The patented sliding system attracted a great deal of attention and is still unique.
In 1975, revenue of the Ekornes Group exceeded NOK 100 million. The following year, the Fetsund plant was destroyed by a fire. A new factory was built 1976-78. During this time, Ekornes group became the largest furniture manufacturer in Scandinavia. In 1978, Ekornes entered the computer age with an online computer system for order processing, invoicing, statistics, and production control.
Stressless comfort
1980s
1980: Stressless comfort had become an unconditional success. Sales of Stressless passed the magical limit of 100 million Norwegian Kroner.
1981: The characteristic wooden base is introduced The Stressless Royal recliner was the first model to have the characteristic wooden base.
1983: Export exceeded 100 million Norwegian Kroner and Stressless no. 500.000 was registered. The company’s success in the export market was rewarded in 1983 as Ekornes was awarded the Norwegian Export Prize.
Marketing to the USA began which became the largest export market for Ekornes. Various companies under the Ekornes umbrella and ownership structure were reorganized to enable one generation to pass on to the next. In 1984, the company turned 50 years old. By 1985, eight Ekornes factories existed in Norway and they acquired a company in West Germany.
Stressles Plus with sleep function
1990s
1991: The patented Plus™ system was launched, with its pioneering automatic adjustment of the headrest and lumbar support. At last, people could read and watch TV leaning back in a recliner. Stressless consolidated its position as the most comfortable swivel recliner.
1993: The Stressless sofa was launched. This is based on the idea that people need to be able to move individually just as much when sitting in a sofa as in a recliner. The sales message became: ‘In a Stressless sofa, every seat is a Stressless’.
1994: The company turned 60 years old and manufacturing plants were reduced to four locations in Norway. Ekornes launched a new child chair concept called KIDDO and a new mattress series called Svane Goldline in 1998.
1995: The Stressless Senator was chosen by the Consumer Digest as the “Best Buy” in the US.
1996: Ekornes started to make the same design in two or three sizes. Stressless was the first recliner in the market to take into account that people with different builds have to have different chair sizes in order to sit comfortably.
1999: The sleep function is an extension of the unique Plus™ System. The user can choose whether the headrest is to be in the reading or sleeping mode when the chair is in the reclining position. Once more Stressless was the first to introduce a pioneering innovation.
2000s
2001: Stressless and the Ekornes Collection began to be produced in matching designs. This allowed new opportunities for combining reclining and fixed-back furniture in an integrated layout. The idea was a hit worldwide. Stressless sales exceeded 1 billion Norwegian Kroner.
2002: The Stressless factory became Norway’s most robotized and automated production business. Sofas and chairs were presented as product families.
2003: A tailor-made home theatre set-up based on Stressless was launched. The concept was very well received throughout the world.
The Ekornes factory in Sykkylven
2004: The Ekornes factory at Sykkylven was extended by 30,000 square meters to comply with increased demand making 2,000 chairs per day. The factory is one of the most modern furniture factories in the world. Through extensive use of advanced robotics, the production capacity increased substantially. 2004 was also the year when the redesigned Stressless logo was introduced. Ekornes expands by opening showrooms in Las Vegas and Paris and markets to Russia, Spain, Indonesia, Taiwan, China, Brazil, and more.
2005: Stressless Paradise was launched as the first low-back sofa with full Stressless functions. The goal over time is to convert all Ekornes sofas into Stressless sofas. At the same time, Ekornes Fairytale was introduced, a roomy and comfortable corner solution which also can be used separately. Both models quickly became popular worldwide.
Stressless Contract – for the professional market
2010-Present
In 2010, Ekornes was the first company to win two categories of the British interior design awards for “Best Overseas Furniture Manufacturer” and “Best Marketing Support”. Stressless turned 40 in 2011 with over 6.5 million seat units sold since 1971. Ekornes won more awards in Britain, Japan, and Hong Kong. The Svane mattress brand celebrated 75 years in 2012, the same year the new Stressless Office line launched. In 2014, the Stressless City and Stressless Metro launched with new designs and steel/aluminum bases.
Presently, Ekornes continues to automate production, innovate products and deliver high-quality furniture pieces all over the world!
2020 Export Award was given to Norwegian furniture manufacturer Ekornes.
In a new Norwegian book “Da musikken stilnet” (When music became silent), author Arvid Skancke-Knutsen interviewed more than 60 actors, from all genres of Norwegian music life, among them singer/songwriter Sondre Lerche. Read more about the book and the latest album Patient, music by the Norwegian singer/songwriter.
The book was written between March and November 2020, during what the Norwegian Government called “the strongest and most intrusive measures we have had in Norway in peacetime.” The book is about the Norwegian music industry – and how everyone who works in it was affected by the consequences of the corona pandemic.
When the music became silent” contains personal and strong lyrics from Sondre Lerche, as well as several other performers
For nearly two decades, Los Angeles-based Norwegian singer/songwriter Sondre Lerche has established a consistent knack for an ear-catching and eclectic blend of jazz-influenced indie pop, married effusively to thoughtful, intriguing lyrics.
Skancke-Knutsen has appropriately dedicated a whole chapter in When Music Became Silent where Lerche tells from his last summer tour, where he did pretty much everything on his own. Loading up a car with a suitcase, guitar, some albums and merchandise may sound like a familiar journey to musicians at the start of their careers. But for a musician of 20 years to embark on a tour like that is unique, to say the least.
“As much as I continue being inspired by the great American songwriters of the jazz age, my harmonic DNA feels Brazilian more than anything”, says Lerche
The book is not a funeral speech for the Norwegian music industry. On the contrary: it is intended as a tribute to all the creative souls who have stood up in a new and difficult everyday life, and who have made the best of the situation.
About his latest release Patient, Lerche says, “As much as I continue being inspired by the great American songwriters of the jazz age, my harmonic DNA feels Brazilian more than anything. There are so many phenomenal Brazilian songwriters, from Jobim to Tropicália and beyond”. He is referring to the movement that developed under the militant dictatorship of the late 60s. “I’ve always felt that at least half my songs are really just Brazilian pop songs underneath it all. And I’m so happy whenever I hear those harmonies in contemporary music, whether it’s Tyler, The Creator or Dirty Projectors.”
“It’s definitely more challenging to keep a record alive when you can’t tour the world,” he adds. “I think one of the advantages of the streaming era is that you can be a bit more spontaneous, expand on things and continue to tell the story of the record here and now. I’m always looking for ways to share it. This is a special record for me, I want to keep expanding on it, and to share anything that can soothe or help people in this strange point in time that we all find ourselves in.”
Lerche has also published an essay collection and a children’s book this year, as well as Patient, which is an extremely solid studio album, and perhaps this year’s finest and most ambitious pop composition “Why Would I Let You Go”. It is tempting to nominate Sondre Lerche as the most important Norwegian artist in 2020.
“When the music became silent” contains personal and strong lyrics from Sondre Lerche, as well as several other performers. The book is in Norwegian only, but is a book for everyone who works in the Norwegian music industry – and for everyone who loves Norwegian music.
Patient Music by Norwegian Singer/Songwriter, written by Tor Kjolberg
