Norwegian freelance scenographer and artist Signe Becker’s work includes theatre- and dance productions, as well as personal art projects, mainly textile works, sculptures and video. Skeleton Woman is a new performance by Signe Becker and Ingvild Langgård – a site specific work, part choir piece, part scenic performance – and a live sculpture with ritual and mythical aspects. Read more about the Norwegian Skeleton Woman.
Since 2011 Becker has made several collaborations with choreographer Ingri Fiksdal and artist Ingvild Langgård, projects that have been (and still are) touring several countries. Becker’s art work has been represented at exhibitions such as «Høstutstillingen» The Autumn Exhibition in Oslo, «Trøndelagsutstillingen» at Trøndelag Center for Contemporary Art in Trondheim, and The Norwegian Short Film Festival in Grimstad.
Signe Nordli Becker grew up in a small arctic town at the top of Norway
Silent drama Becker represented Norway at the Prague Quadrennial of Performance Design and Space 2015. In January 2019 Becker started as a PhD student in artistic development work at Oslo Academy of the Arts, exploring the potential for silent drama in the space between the theater and the gallery.
Related: Woven Politics by a Norwegian Artist Skeleton Woman is part of Becker’s PhD studies at Oslo Academy of the Arts. Ingvild Langgård is a composer, musician and sound artist.
Signe Nordli Becker grew up in a small arctic town at the top of Norway, where you see reindeers on the road with Nordic Light moving in the sky. A trip to Bali to study philosophy made her curious of life and people. She moved to Oslo to work and decided to visit South America for three months. Then suddenly Oslo was too small.
Wishful beginnings, by Signe Becker
From merchandiser to visual culture
She got a job in Paris for the company Sia as a merchandiser and designer in 2000, and since then she has been traveling and creating new designs. In 2006 she earned a bachelor’s degree in scenography from the Norwegian Theatre Academy (NTA) in Fredrikstad and in 2008 a master’s degree in visual culture from Oslo National Academy of the Arts.
In recent years, she has worked on a number of productions and since 2006 she has been a permanent scenographer at Verk Produksjoner. Their performances have been nominated for the Norwegian Hedda Award for performing arts, the performance Det eviga leendet (2011) and Stalker (2013) won the Norwegian Hedda Award for performing art. Becker have been nominated three times for best Scenography and costume design.
Please please me, by Signe Becker
Inspired by the Sami culture Becker says her inspiration comes from her childhood nature in the North of Norway, the culture of the Sami as well as art and antique markets in Paris. Her passions are the beauty of nature, colors, arts and what life brings to you.
Langgård composes and performs sound and music for stage, ensemble, film, as well as live performances and sound installations. She has released two albums under the name Phaedra.
The Norwegian Skeleton Woman, written by Tor Kjolberg
If to consider the fact that all of the Nordic countries have long winters, it is not a surprise that people make an enormous deal from summer. Sweden is of no exception. This country’s biggest holiday is Midsummer’s Eve. It is not only one of the oldest and most cherished day, but also widely celebrated in the whole country. However, for foreigners, the way those people celebrate this holiday may seem a bit odd. Read more about the top unique Swedish midsummer traditions
The sad news is that this year’s celebration will look different than in previous years. People will need to get accustomed to the new rules since the coronavirus pandemic is still a major threat, and people’s safety is of the utmost importance. Large gatherings are yet not allowed in Sweden, which is why the government recommends celebrating in small groups and with the closest family and friends.
Midsummer in Sweden. Photo: Lars Dahlström/Visit Sweden
In the middle of the 20th century, it has been established that this holiday will be celebrated on the weekend. So, the actual date varies each year between June 20-26. Read on to find out what are the most bizarre Swedish traditions that people honor in Midsummer.
The Frog Dance Oh, this tradition is worth mentioning, since it is the one that attracts most of the people’s attention. So, to implement this tradition, people gather around a maypole and dance. But they don’t do the regular dancing that we all are used to. People hop like actual frogs while singing ‘Små grodorna’ – a song about frogs, but it depicts them in a biologically incorrect way.
Dancing around the midsummer maypole. Photo: Visit Sweden
The Midsummer Maypole A maypole, known as the Midsommarstången, is the main attribute when it comes to the celebration of this holiday. People decorate it with greens, leaves, and flowers. Then this pole is placed at some prominent space in the town for everyone to see it. People gather around it, dance, and have fun. You might begin to wonder what it may symbolize. But only the best essay writing service knows what is the true meaning behind the maypole tradition.
The More Herring the Better As you might have already known, the Swedes’ most favorite thing to eat is herring. They can eat it all day and night long, and it is usually a fixture of most of their celebrations. People cook it in all possible ways – smoked, pickled, with onions, and in many other ways. So, be prepared, there will be plenty of fish.
Drinking Songs At this point, you may be wondering how can older and respected people dance around a maypole and hop like frogs. The answer to that is simple – they drink alcohol. The two days when the Swedes do plenty of drinking are Christmas and Midsummer. Their most preferred drink at those holidays is flavored snaps. If it happens that you visit such a celebration, be extremely careful with this drink, as it may be much stronger, then you thought.
But the people not only drink but do it while singing songs. One of the most popular drinking songs is Helan Går.
Wearing flower wreaths. Photo: Visit Sweden
Flower Wreaths Even if you are a man in his 40s, be prepared that you may need to wear a wreath in your hair made of flowers. Despite your age and gender, making and wearing such an accessory is a lifelong tradition that has been cherished decades.
Such attention to flowers is not for no reason. Some of the people think that they can help in building relationships. They believe so not only because the flowers are beautiful and people get attracted to them, but because of an old tradition. It states that if at this holiday you find seven different flower kinds, gather them from seven spots in the forest, and place those flowers under your pillow, you will have a dream and will see your future spouse. It is believed that thanks to those flowers, girls get magical powers and get to foresee the future.
Weather Chat It is no secret that the weather in Sweden is not always the warmest one. There might be a lot of rain, even in the summer. It is why, despite the fact that the Swedes don’t enjoy small talk a lot, they do have a tendency to talk about the weather before the Midsummer holiday. The whole country guesses what the weather will be like and waits patiently for the weekend to come. And that wait to see whether it will rain or not also brings the Swedes a lot of fun.
Feature image (on top): Swedish midsummer by Tobias Tullius/Unsplash
Top Unique Swedish Midsummer Traditions, written exclusively for Daily Scandinavian
The new addition to the Kistefos Museum outside Oslo, The Twist Gallery, is an exciting architectural project. It has opened its second summer season with the exhibition “Come Out!” which shows a selection of artworks from founder Christen Sveaas’ Art Foundation. He has recently donated half of his art collection to the foundation, so the foundation has now taken ownership of all the exhibited works. Come Out! To Internationally Acclaimed Art Center In Norway.
When the planned opening exhibition, Declaration of Independence, was stranded in Los Angeles due to the Coronavirus, a new exhibition was urgently curated by William Flatmo, selected from the vast collection owned by Christen Sveaas. So, this summer, visitors can experience works by 32 contemporary artists, including Andreas Gursky, Marina Abramovic, Isa Genzken and Wolfgang Tillman.
“The program committee really had to totally rethink and work intensely to put in place an exhibition worthy of Twist and Kistefos,” says newly appointed director at Kistefos, Birgitte Espeland
When the planned opening exhibition, Declaration of Independence, was stranded in Los Angeles due to the Coronavirus, a new exhibition was urgently curated by William Flatmo
New exhibition curated in a few weeks “The program committee really had to totally rethink and work intensely to put in place an exhibition worthy of Twist and Kistefos,” says newly appointed director at Kistefos, Birgitte Espeland, who for 20 years has been involved in the development of Bogstad Gård in Oslo, and most recently as director at the Holmenkollen Ski Museum in in Oslo.
Octopus, by Bjarne MelgaardFredrik Raddum: Best of the Hedonic Treadmill. 2013
An architectonic gem
The Twist Gallery, officially opened September 2019, has gotten its name from the arresting 90-degree twist that makes the structure look like a computer-generated vision. The Danish architect Bjarke Ingels Group, called it the ‘inhabitable bridge’, a reference to Florence’s Ponte Vecchio. The Twist connects the two sides of the Randselva River via a multipurpose walkway and sits roughly 43 miles north of Norway’s capital.
The Twist Gallery, officially opened September 2019Christen Sveaas wants to present world-class contemporary art to a Scandinavian audience
An ambassador of art One of the works in this year’s exhibition is a photograph by American fine-art photographer David LaChapelle, “Deluge”. It shows a group of naked people about to drown, surrounded by consumer products and brands. At the same time, they earnestly take care of each other. It might make someone associate the picture with the corona crisis.
Jeppe Hein, Road to Silence 2018Elmgreen & Dragseth, Parts of View, Part II
“Christen Sveaas has ambitions to try new things,” says Espeland. “He donates Norwegian art to foreign museums to show the world the quality and breadth of Norwegian artists. At the same time, he wants to present world-class contemporary art to a Scandinavian audience. He invites international curators to put together exhibitions. At Twist, there is a new exhibition every year, and the sculpture park is expanded with two sculptures a year. Most of the sculptures are site-specific. That is, the artists create their artwork directly with the location in mind.”
Lynda Benglia, Face Off 2018In the sculpture park, you can find tranquility, inspiration and aesthetic pleasure, all year round
Swedish artist duo
From June 21 through October 11, a new exhibition by the Swedish artist duo Nathalie Djurberg and Hans Berg will be on display in Nybruket Gallery. The exhibition Flowers in the Attic combines three recent films, as well as the installation The Clearing, and invites viewers into the surrealistic and imaginative dream world of the artist duo.
Take a break in the cafeteriaKistefos has 45 sculptures by prominent contemporary artists
Nathalie Djurberg and Hans Berg have worked together for over 10 years and have developed a distinct and powerful audio-visual language. The strong colors, the cartoonish characters and the atmospheric music create a seductive and accessible expression, while opening the door to the darker side of man’s multifaceted nature.
Marc Quinn, All Of Nature Flows Through Us, a true copy of Christen Sveaas’ iris. 2011
The Kistefos Museum
Kistefos is one of the largest sculpture parks for contemporary art. It opened in 1999 and consists of 45 sculptures by prominent Scandinavian and international artists. To mention just a few, Yayoi Kusama, Bjarne Melgaard, Kjell Nupen, Fernando Botero, Olafur Eliasson and Tony Cragg.
The Twist Gallery officially opened September 2019At Twist, there is a new exhibition every year
Come Out! To Internationally Acclaimed Art Center In Norway Visitors to Kistefos can cross The Twist to complete their circuit of the park, while also admiring the bridge as an attraction in its own right. The 1,000-square foot structure links two distinct art galleries, serving as a bridge between the river’s north and south banks.
Perhaps we should interpret the new exhibition “Come Out!” as a call to visit Jevnaker and its internationally acclaimed art center Kistefos.
From the Come Out! Exhibition
How to get there
To reach The Twist from Oslo, take advantage of Norway’s excellent public transport system by hopping on a bus or train from Oslo’s Central Station to Hønefoss (75 minutes), followed by a local bus to the stop at Kistefossvegen (15 minutes). From there, you’ll have to walk the last stretch (less than one mile) to reach the museum. It’s worth renting a car to make the trip, however, both to shave a bit of time off the journey—the drive to Jevnaker takes about an hour from downtown Oslo—and also to explore a few other sites in the area.
“We are working on bus departures from the local train station directly to the museum twice a week, but we’re not there yet,” says Birgitte Espeland. “In the future there might be a train connection. The Randsfjord Line which was terminated in 1989 is still in use for freight trains along the Oslo–Bergen route.”
Every country has its own social taboos. For people traveling to an unfamiliar country, it might be a surprise that something is considered to be a taboo when the same thing is a friendly gesture in their country of residence. The same applies to Denmark. Learn more about Denmark social taboos that you must be familiar with.
It is essential to learn about the country’s culture and traditions so that you feel welcomed and blend in with the people that live there. But what is most important, find out what their social taboos are. Read on to find out about the most common social taboos that exist in this country so that you will be prepared when you visit it.
Danes like to have personal space, and the more, the better. Photo Ryoji Iwata/Unsplash
Tell the Neighbors Remember this taboo when traveling to Denmark and staying in an apartment building. If you meet some of your old friends and decide to have a friendly gathering at your apartment, you must let the neighbors know about it. But don’t do it in person, since it may feel awkward both for you and them. It is best to write a note so that they will be informed and when it gets a little noise during the party, you won’t get into any trouble for that.
Also, Danes are not used to greeting strangers. So, if you walk out of your apartment and see someone from the building passing by, it is best not to say anything. This way, you won’t make anyone uncomfortable.
Personal Space Danes like to have personal space, and the more, the better. They are a friendly nation, but they also respect another person’s space. When meeting a person, it is enough to shake hands, but not give a hug. You are to be very close to that person to hug him/her without giving that person any discomfort. Also, if you are being overfriendly with someone, or making too many compliments, that person may consider your actions being impolite.
Photo by Shane Rounce/Unsplash
In the US, it is a normal thing to open a door for someone else and let that person go ahead. But in Denmark, by doing this, you will only make that other person feel awkward. The first thing that the person will thing after such a gesture would: “Am I incapable of opening the door myself?”.
Also, another weird social taboo is that it is not acceptable to whistle outside. It distracts people and will draw a lot of unwanted attention to you if you do this, for example, in the park.
Punctuality If you want to leave a good impression on a potential employer, or a new friend, don’t be late for your meeting. Being punctual is the thing that people in this country respect the most. Punctuality is not just a simple rule for them, but a way of life. If you are late for a meeting, the other person will consider you a rude and disreputable person. But if something happened, and you know that you will be late, it is best to call that person and let him or her know in advance.
Even if you are a student on an exchange program and are studying in Denmark, and for some reason, you decided to buy custom essay online, remember to pay for that work in time, so as not to seem rude to the person that is completing that task for you. Moreover, never be late to class and always submit any of your assignments in time.
Indirect Questions If you want to ask someone a very personal question, one that is about that person’s family, finances, or religion, it is best to rephrase those questions. Never ask Danes directly about those topics. You may feel rude if you do. Instead, it is best to rephrase them so that the questions will be more subtle.
After you put all of the products that you want to buy on the conveyor belt, remember to place the bar after those products. Photo: https://unsplash.com/@walk_
Conveyor Belt Whenever going grocery shopping, remember this rule if you want to avoid bad looks. After you put all of the products that you want to buy on the conveyor belt, remember to place the bar after those products. You don’t want people thinking that you don’t care about others.
Denmark Social Taboos That You Must Be Familiar With – The Bottom Line
Many of the foreigners that live in Denmark don’t feel like all of these social taboos exist. It depends mostly on the region of residence of that person. But if you are traveling to this country for the first time, it is essential to be at least aware that they exist somewhere in the country and be prepared, so as not to look weird and feel uncomfortable around Danes.
Feature image (on top) Photo: Ava Coploff/Unsplash
Denmark Social Taboos That You Must Be Familiar With, written exclusively for Daily Scandinavian
The white-tailed sea-eagles nest in Ireland for the first time in over 100 years. The Irish white-tailed sea eagle was driven to extinction in the early 20th century. But thanks to the White-Tailed Sea Eagle Reintroduction Project the eagles face a new spring in Ireland with the first documented nesting attempt in more than a century. Now, Norwegian Sea Eagles Make Success in Ireland.
The breeding birds that bring new hope to the sea eagle stock are a four year old male and a three year old female originating from the island of Frøya, off the west coast of Norway.
Killarney National Park, Photo: Wikipedia commons
They were released in Killarney National Park in 2008 and 2009, respectively. In 2012, they each found their way to Co. Clare and paired up, and this spring they nested on a small island on Lough Derg, one of Ireland’s biggest lakes, close to the village of Mountshannon.
“This is a truly momentous event,” sayid Dr. Allan Mee, project manager for the Golden Eagle Trust. “Seeing them nesting in the wild in Ireland is the day we have all been waiting for”.
The future looks bright First-time breeders lack experience, and breeding success depends on getting everything right. But Mee is impressed by the young couple.
White-tailed eagle. Photo: Wikipedia commons
He said that once the birds settled down to incubate the clutch of eggs both parents were very diligent. The nest has only very rarely been left unattended and birds have been quick to spot potential dangers such as the presence of hooded crows which might predate the eggs.
Six weeks to hatch
“Since the eggs take some six weeks to hatch, they still have a long way to go. But so far so good,” said Mee.
And according to Dr. Duncan Halley, the eagles have chosen a good spot for their first attempt.
White-tailed sea eagles usually begin to breed at five years of age. But in this case the lake is shallow and productive, ensuring a good food supply. In addition, there is no competition from other breeders.
“This combination may explain breeding at this young age,” Halley stated.
Together with Dr. Torgeir Nygård he is responsible for the NINA part of the program.
Following the sea-eagles The sea-eagle population was also threatened at one time in Norway, but increased as a direct result of legal protection in 1968.
Today Norway has the largest breeding population in Western-Europe.
In total one hundred Norwegian white-tailed eagles were released between 2007 and 2011 in Killarney National Park, Co. Kerry.
These birds have dispersed throughout Ireland and beyond. To date 21 birds are known to have died.
All birds were collected in the Trøndelag area in Norway, one bird only from nests with more than one chick. A time-consuming task, as only 20 percent of the nests have two chicks, or, very rarely, three.
Sea eagles (like that, above, pictured in Scotland) have been introduced into the Killarney National park from Norway. File image: RSPB/PA
Many local volunteers
“The contribution from the many local volunteer bird enthusiasts has been crucial for the project’s success,” said Halley.
In May he and Nygård are flying to Ireland together with some of the volunteers, and with a lot of luck, to observe the hatching.
The birds are very sensitive to disturbance, and the brooding period is a critical time. The Golden Eagle Trust have constructed a viewing area onshore with a telescope for close viewing. Information on the birds, their ecology and conservation is also available.
Whatever the outcome of this nesting attempt, the signs are good for future breeding in the area.
Sea-eagles can live up to 30 years and generally mate for life with adult pairs remaining within their home range throughout the year.
In the years from 2007 to 2011, 100 sea eagles were retrieved from nests on the Trøndelag coast. The birds were captured from Leka in the north to Hitra and Frøya in the south, and released in the Irish Killarney National Park.
A recent report summarizes what has happened after exports from Norway:
In 2010, the first couple was formed in Ireland.
In 2012, the first couple built a nest and had a baby bird, that died shortly after.
In 2014, the number of couples had increased to 14.
In 2015, a nest gave birth to two baby birds.
Until 2017, juvenile production increased. Since then, things have gone a little worse. The two most successful pairs died of bird flu in 2018, and the storm Hannah destroyed the nest in 2019 when almost no cubs were born.
This article, Norwegian Sea Eagles Nest in Ireland (except Update July 2020), written by Camilla Næss, was produced and financed by NINA – Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, and was published on Sciencenorway on 3rd May 2012.
During the summer months, freshly landed herrings are delivered at Bornholm’s distinctive white smokehouses. Enjoy golden Bornholmers on the Danish Sunshine Island.
On Bornholm the fish is turned from their original silver color into the ‘golden Bornholmers’ dearly loved by Danes. On the island, you see a lot of them, usually by the sea: four-sided pyramids topped by long rectangular smokestacks: Placed over the alderwood fire give them their special taste. Inside sits a man who knows exactly how to do it. He dips a long-handled stick with a rag into his pail of water and runs the wet rag over the embers to create the required smoke.
the fish is turned from their original silver color into the ‘golden Bornholmers’ dearly loved by Danes. Photo: Wikipedia commons
Eaten warm or cold
For centuries the abundance of fish in the Baltic Sea has had an important role in the economy of Bornholm. Once there were 135 smokeries on the island, now only a dozen is still in use.
The smoked herrings are either eaten warm from the oven or put on black rye bread. Photo: Team Bornholm
The smoked herrings are either eaten warm from the oven or put on black rye bread, sprinkled with salt, chopped chives, onion and radishes, and topped with a raw egg-yolk – the typical Danish open-sandwich is known as Sol over Gudhjem – “Sun over Gudhjem”.
Once there were 135 smokeries on the island, now only a dozen is still in use. Photo: Wikipedia commons
Delicious Salmon and Herring on Danish Bornholm
Like having lobster in Maine or stopping by a roadside oyster kiosk in Marenne, France, pickled herrings are a lunchtime must on Bornholm. The best spiced herrings are produced at Christiansø Baltic salmon, said to be the finest edible fish in the world, is normally available, too. The act is fraught with protocol. The herring comes whole, still in its shining golden skin; it sits on a newspaper and next to it, within easy reach, stands a chilled Tuborg.
Feature image (on top): Gudhjem, Bornholm. Photo: Visit Denmark
Delicious Salmon and Herring on Danish Bornholm, written by Tor Kjolberg
It’s safe to bet that Scandinavia has always been a tempting destination to discover. Once this mighty Northern region was home to the Vikings, whose warriors departed its shores on raids and trades to the faraway places of the world from the Caspian Sea to North Africa and from Vinland to Bjarmaland. It was the mighty Vikings who shaped Scandinavia the most and gave us the land we know today. Explore the Top 5 Travel Itineraries to Explore – the Allure of the Northern Region
Having visited Scandinavia, one will be certain that Vikings had an excellent taste for landscapes as the region boasts some of the most beautiful natural sceneries (and phenomena) in the world. And despite harsh winters and the drastically changing number of daylight hours throughout the year, people here live comfortable and delighted. Scandinavian countries quite often appear on lists of the top happiest countries in the world. And nowadays, the region is an alluring destination for everyone who is eager to enjoy splendid landscapes, unique cosmopolitan cities, and to appreciate the beauty of the fjords.
The unique and stunning fjords are one of the main attractions in the entire Scandinavia, Photo: Fjord Tours
Explore Scandinavian Fjords The unique and stunning fjords are one of the main attractions in the entire Scandinavia. Uncanny in winter, colorful and bloomy in spring, majestic in summer, and scenic all year around, these long and deep valleys are a must-see for every Scandinavia traveler. The Sognefjord, the main fjord in Norway, and its branch, the narrow Naerofjord, are both included in the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Did you know that fjords were created during the Ice Age? As the climate changed, most of the ice melted, and deep valleys, carved by the ice and rivers, were filled with saltwater. At the same time, some of the ice stayed unmelted, the high mountain areas partially left covered with ice, in such a way forging the glaciers. Scandinavia’s longest fjord, the Sognefjord, has many dramatic branches, such as the Naeroyfjord, the Fjaerlandsfjord, the Aurlandsfjord, and the Lusterfjord. And each and every one of them promises incredible views and plenty of fantastic photo opportunities, so make sure to explore at least one (but better all of them) during your Scandinavia tour.
Interestingly, the western fjord areas boast a perfect climate for fruit growing. Late spring here promises the most breathtaking fruit blossom you’ve ever seen. Bright and clear summers make various berries such as strawberries, raspberries, and cherries super tasty.
Considering all that, you can easily see why exploring fjords is a hot activity for elder adventurers as Scandinavian tours for senior travelers include only major attractions, do not require a lot of walking, and cruises are extremely popular and comfortable way to discover the best of Scandinavian fjords.
Norway Tours Besides amazing fjords, Norway has other aces up its sleeve. Troms region in the north, Alesund on the west coast, and captivating small mountainous villages like Flam – the entire country is a pure treasure chest of places that should be seen by every explorer. Besides, it’s always better to discover every corner of 1 region and return for more on your next vacation than blaze through the whole Scandinavia and barely scratch the surface of its riches.
From Ålsesund. Photo: Visit Norway
By the way, be sure to include travel from Bergen to Oslo by train in your program. It is one of the most popular and beautiful train routes not just in Norway, but also in the entire world! Crystalline rivers, snowy mountains, gorgeous waterfalls, and little farms – on this route the nature of Norway is revealed to the full.
On the whole, Scandinavia boasts excellent roads, but like every other corner of the planet, no one can guarantee the absence of traffic problems. Plus, driving in a foreign country is always rather stressful even if you have ages of experience and a modern navigation system. So, it might be better to consider touring the marvelous country using Norway Trains. Luckily, the country is filled with stunning mountain landscapes that you can enjoy from your window on a comfortable high-speed train.
Meet the Vikings’ Heritage What is the best place to take an up-close and personal look at the culture of the Vikings if not Scandinavia? If you’re a history fan planning a trip to this subregion and want to hear the echoes of the Viking Age, there’s no better way to do it than visit the most important sites. And conveniently, many of these spots are located within two Scandinavian capitals – Stockholm in Sweden and Oslo in Norway.
If you’re in Stockholm and eager to learn more about the Vikings, their way of life, and culture, you can start with the Viking Liv museum. The interactive exhibitions will help you to immerse in the ancient times and tell you about Vikings’ farm life, raids, and myths. Continue your journey in Skansen. Besides Vikings, here you can learn more about Swedish history in general. In this the world’s oldest open-air museum you’ll get to know about Swedish farming and housing and see Runestones from the Viking age. To enhance your history experience, come to see the old Viking Parliament, the ruins of the 400 A.D. Viking settlement at Granby, Sigtuna, and Vira Bruk.
The Oseberg Ship at the Oslo Vikingship Museum. Photo: Thams Johannessen/Visit Oslo
When in beautiful Oslo, dedicate your free afternoon to the Vikings’ historical spots. Among the most popular sites is the Viking Ship Museum. It features the three well-preserved Viking ships found in Norway – Tune, Oseberg, and Gokstad. Also, the Historical Museum houses the Víkingr exhibition with a great number of precious objects from the Viking era. In addition, you may include the Norwegian Folk Museum and Frogner Park in your program to enlarge your Viking experience.
Chase the Northern Lights The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, lures in Scandinavia the ocean of travelers from all around the world. One of the most breathtaking natural phenomena is a wonder every traveler should see. Going on Northern Lights hunt can enhance your winter vacation greatly. As soon as the sun sets, prepare for an adventure! Fortunately, the Northern land provides a number of great places made specifically for such night jaunts.
For example, a small Swedish village Abisko that lies to the north of the Arctic Circle. This place features the magnificent Aurora Sky Station, which is the observation platform that provides an opportunity to enjoy the spectacular views of the Northern Lights with clear skies as if by magic.
Photo: Fjord Tours
Another wonderful place to experience the Northern Lights is the Finnish resort village Saariselkä, nestled not far from the Russian border. The place is fitted up with the Kakslauttanen Glass Igloos where you can watch the magical sky performance in a warm and comfortable bed.
Great Lapland Tours There is hardly a child in the world who has not heard of the magical Lapland region and its rather famous resident that likes red color, drives in a sleigh, and boasts a heavy beard. Of course, it’s good old Santa Claus. This is where his residence is located, in the charming city of Rovaniemi. But that’s not the only thing this Northern region can impress with.
Lapland is a perfect place to do all winter activities you can literally think of. Numerous ski resorts such as Levi, Yllas, Pyha, and Big Wood provide an opportunity to go skiing, ice skating, snowmobiling, and even husky and reindeer sledding! And the incredible nature of the region calls for hiking. Start your way in Urho Kekkonen or Rokua National Parks and enjoy ancient scenic landscapes the Ice Age once shaped.
Top 5 Travel Itineraries to Explore – the Allure of the Northern Region Scandinavia is truly a unique place on Earth. An exceptional variety of experiences, activities, historical and cultural wealth make this land one of the happiest places in the world. And it is ready to share its happiness with you all year round, in magical winter, bloomy spring, scenic summer, and colorful fall. No matter how much itineraries you explored, the allure of the Northern region will call you back again and again to the land of miracles.
Editor’s note: Finland is per definition not a part of Scandinavia, but belongs to the northern region.
Ilya Voytekhovskiy
Top 5 Travel Itineraries to Explore – the Allure of the Northern Region, written for Daily Scandinavian by Ilya Voytekhovskiy. Ilya is a beginning writer and digital marketing specialist who’s equally passionate about traveling and content writing. He holds a Bachelor degree in Arts of Intercultural Communication.
Magnificent scenery, world-class ingredients and a host of wild spirits have made little Österlen in Sweden a holiday paradise. Read more about the holiday paradise east of Leden in Sweden.
Located in the southeast of Sweden, Österlen is a massive region composed of smaller towns with stunning sceneries! There are also tons of things to do in Österlen. “Almost mysterious,” wrote the New York Times about Österlen, giving the area a ninth position on the list of places you should visit.
In Österlan you can experience rolling meadows and picturesque communities. The concept Österlen is not even one hundred years but its content goes way back. No one really knows where the limit of Österlen is but generally speaking one can say it is the southeast Skåne.
The south-eastern tip of Skåne in the far south of Sweden has tempted city dwellers to choose an alternative, simpler life for decades. Österlen is rumored to be home to more artists per capita than anywhere else in Europe, the land where the sea and sky meet combines simple rural pleasures with an air of quiet, cultured sophistication.
In this small area at the bottom and farthest east in Skåne, the population is multiplied in the summer months, and visitors come to see a landscape unlike anything else in Sweden; flat and open, with several thousand-year-old monuments, medieval castles, national parks and some of the country’s finest beaches.
Österlen is considered to consist of the countryside to the east of the road stretching from Ystad in the south to Brösarp in the north. And features cities like Tornelilia and Simrishamn along with the Stensuvud National Park. Simrishamn is known for its rich culture and stunning scenery. It is the largest city in the southeast of Skåne and a beautiful part of small fishing villages, wheat fields, and beautiful apple orchards.
However, the whole area is a haven for friends of nature searching for outdoor activities or want to admire its flora and fauna. Birdwatchers from far and beyond are attracted by the wide variety of bird species.
Alex stenar. Photo: Wikipedia commons
Cultural personalities like Karl-Ove Knausgård and Ulf Lundell live here. And now, a new generation of entrepreneurs has moved to Österlen and started design hotels, chocolate factories and Michelin restaurants. Its many small and fine art studios attracts culture and art lovers. Don’t miss the Kviks marknad (the market of Kiviks) in the summer. After one of the district’s activities you can enjoy swimming and sunbathing on any beach, such as Sandhammaren, one of the best beaches in Sweden.
One common route is the one from the north, cutting through the woods of Småland, past Kristianstad and the Brösarp hills. Many summer guests take this route.
Skåne is almost a small country with a language they hardly understand in the capital Stockholm. The province even has its own flag, and so does Österlen. The best with Österlen is perhaps just to be there; go around, walk around, and enjoy the atmosphere that provides an incredible inner energy and harmony. Its farms, meadows, and gardens are an oasis of inspiration and joy, a delight for all the senses in the body.
It’s said that the sky and sea meet in Österlen. The same might be said of its summer guests and permanent residents, which is not without its problems. Many of the old fishing villages become deserted ghost towns during the long winter months, but late spring, traditional beamed ‘long’ houses and quaint fishing cottages start to show signs of life, Österlen announces the dawn of a new season with a bang.
Österlen has never had any official boundaries, more than it lies “east of Leden”, which means east of Riksvei 19 between Ystad and Brösarp. The term Österlen came into existence sometime in the mid-1800s. At the beginning of the 1900s, a black car with registration number A11 began to drive around the area. Prince Eugen – the Painting Prince – arrived to paint the landscape, and the cultural people followed. There was something about the light and the mood – the distance between the sky and the sea seemed shorter here than elsewhere.
Barnens Bokhandel (Bookstore for Kids) is a store located on the main street of Simrishamn which offers plenty of puzzles, books, and many literature things for children. Founded in the 1970s by a well-known culture developer and journalist, Mariane von Baumgarten-Lindberg.
Located in Simrishamn, Glimmingehus Manor is the well-preserved age-old stronghold in southern Sweden. It was built in 1506 and it has a lot of defensive arrangements like false doors, parapets, and murder holes to pour boiling pitch on the attackers, drawbridges, moats, and other types of a death trap to prevent trespassers and peasant uprisings.
At Kiviks Musteri you can taste cider, explore the orchards, and get to the ‘House of Apples’ and see the process of making cider and juice. In addition, try some homemade apple juice and apple cake in the café before leaving. The Kivik Apple Market Festival is held in late September.
Stenshuvuds National Park. This national park has an exotic character of more southerly climes and great biodiversity that is worth preserving and visiting.
Where to stay As in many other popular areas it’s good to be out in good time. You can choose between luxury beach houses, cozy cottages or staying at a real farm out in the country.
How to get there
You can easily reach Österlen via Copenhagen International Airport and Malmö-Sturup airport. It would be best if you first visited Malmö to get to Österlen by train and then go by Pågatågen line 6 trains. It stops at various destinations in Österlen.
Many countries worldwide have a goal to bet net-zero targets by 2050. However, Denmark has set even a more ambitious goal. It is planning on getting rid of fossil fuels completely by 2030. And it is going to reach this goal with the help of wind power. Read more about the new wind energy record set by Denmark
Despite the fact that in the 19th-century electricity has been brought to Denmark by Poul la Cour, the country still relied solely on importing coal. Only after the oil crisis, Denmark started to consider the production of wind power again. And when twenty more years have passed, the country was recognized as the first that has created an offshore wind farm.
Energinet headquarter
Recently, Energinet, the country’s leading energy operator, stated that 47% of the whole amount of energy created by Denmark was by the help of wind farms. This percentage marks the largest record in this sphere. The previous one has been set in 2017 and was 43%.
How Can Denmark Produce That Much Electricity from Wind Power?
First of all, this has been made possible due to the country’s geographical position. Both the onshore and offshore wind plays a primary role in producing energy.
Secondly, beginning in 1977, Denmark began to place wind turbines, and the first one was onshore with a capacity of 326 MW. When years have passed, the county continued to install more and more of those turbines. And in 2019, the county launched another offshore wind farm. But the only difference between this one and the previous ones is that it is huge and has increased energy production by 15%. It is extremely powerful and is capable of supporting around 20% of Denmark’s homes.
Danish wind turbines. Photo: Wikipedia commons
Getting Closer to the Target for Reducing Emissions Denmark, along with many of the countries around the world, has set a goal to become net-zero on gas emissions in 30 years. It is one of the most important targets that a country can set since it will combat climate change.
But, Denmark has realized that it has more chances in the transition from the bad fossil fuels by increasing the implementation of wind stations. The county has set a target to reach the 50% mark and by 2030 to become a country that uses only the wind power to support its electricity needs.
The number of electricity created from the wind stations the previous year has set a new world record since nearly half of the energy used by Denmark was fossil fuels free and received from wind farms. If you get assigned to write a paper on this topic, you won’t need any essay help to do it, just remember that this country is on its way to a fossil fuel-free future.
What Will the Next Steps Be? Since the main country’s goal that has been recently set presupposes the reduction of fossil fuels, Denmark is putting all of its efforts into exploring new methods that will help them to reach that goal. One of such methods is electrolysis. This method entails the usage of excess electricity to make hydrogen. This element is known to be a power source that can take part in the decarbonization process of an energy system. The main benefit of using such chemical elements is that when it gets mixed with oxygen, the only by-products that will be there are heat and water.
Another method is to make gas ammonia by combining nitrogen and hydrogen The county believes that this method is full of potential. Despite the methods that haven’t been tried out yet, Denmark has a solid plan with four projects set for the next decade to implement.
47% of the whole amount of energy created by Denmark is by the help of wind farms. Photo: Wind Europe
One of those projects entails commissioning the wind farm in the Baltic Sea and connecting it to the joint electricity grid. The other three projects imply the creation of three more wind farms, with one of them being named after the god of thunder Thor. The other two farms are still in the planning stage.
In the beginning, there have been some problems with funding. However, now many private companies began to invest in these projects. So, soon these wind farms will be up and running.
Also, at the end of 2019, it was announced that there is one more project that presupposes the creation of artificial islands. They will be positioned in the North Sea and will be surrounded by a wind farm. The capacity of those turbines should be of 10 GW.
New Wind Energy Record Set by Denmark – The Bottom Line Denmark has realized the potential of building more offshore wind farms. Moreover, the county believes that this type of farms will help them to reach the electricity goal in 2030. Without a doubt, onshore wind turbines also make a great difference for the country. But, if to take into account the country’s location and its climate, it can be stated that offshore farms will make a bigger change.
Feature image (on top): Wind Europe
New Wind Energy Record Set by Denmark, written exclusively for Daily Scandinavian
Trips for students are always fun and educational. Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, has become a popular destination for student visits. There is so much available in Copenhagen that you can’t explore it all in a day. The city offers a mixture of sights that students from different courses can enjoy and learn. From the cultural attractions like museums ideal for history students to the presence of classical architecture and modern buildings perfect for architecture students, there are more than enough attraction sites for a perfect student trip to Copenhagen. Read more about the5 Top Attractions in Copenhagen for Students
So before you set out for your next student trip, you must know the right places to visit in Copenhagen for a fun-packed day. Below are the top attraction sights that students can visit in Copenhagen.
Palm house, Botanical Garden. Photo: Wikipedia commons
Botanical Garden A trip to Copenhagen is not complete without visiting the botanical gardensfor students. This 10 hectares public garden is popular for its extensive historical glasshouses that were made in 1874.
When you get to the gardens, you should enjoy its 13000 plant species. Plants are arranged in sections, including plants from mountainous regions, Danish plants, annual plants, and perennial plants.
Besides the popular plant section, the garden has a new Butterfly House where visitors can enjoy butterflies and their enthralling life cycle. It means you get to experience the transformation of these insects at close range.
From, Copenhagen Zoo. PR-photo from Visit Copenhagen
Copenhagen Zoo Copenhagen Zoo is home to over 4 000 different animal species. Some animals you should expect to see include polar bears, lions, seals, among others. You can also use the observation tower to view different birds like the storks at the lake. It is among the oldest zoos in Europe and lies about 2 miles from Copenhagen city.
Students can also get familiar with pandas at the iconic panda house. People can visit as a group at any time of the year and learn many animal facts as they enjoy your trip.
National Museum, Copenhagen. Photo: Daily Scandinavian/Tor Kjolberg
The National Museum It is a destination where history and art students will spend hours without realizing it. The National Museum in Copenhagen has a remarkable wealth of artifacts collected from all eras of Denmark’s history. Several things should help you to learn more about Danish history and culture. Some of these include the 2000 years old Trundholm sun chariot, impressive runic stones, Danish Porcelain, Romanesque fittings, and many more coins and antiquities collections.
The National Museum has extensive European and Islamic art collections that provide an opportunity for students to learn about other regions of the world, such as Africa. There also other museums that students can explore around the region.
The Port, Experimentarium. Photo: Adam Mork/Visit Copenhagen
Experimentarium For science students, this world-class science center is an ideal place to visit in Copenhagen. The center was reopened in 2017 after undergoing a thorough makeover. In this center, students get a chance to explore science through interactive exhibitions and science shows.
One standout exhibition is the “Tunnel of Services” with an inlet that you go through when “born” and an outlet where you “die”. In between the two points, you experience your senses as they unfold and finally fade away. These experiences can you help write exceptional class essays after visiting Copenhagen. You can also get essay help from professional writers in crafting quality essays based on such adventures.
You can also explore the physics and chemistry of water when you take a submarine safari in the water exhibition called ‘The Beach”. Besides, there’s “The Idea Company” that enables you to build prototypes for your invention.
Geological Museum If you love to explore natural history, the Geological Museum in Copenhagen is the place to be. The arts center has various geological collections like rocks, meteorites, and fossils from the 1600s. These minerals have been collected from different places across the world. You can enjoy the world’s best collections like the piece of the moon collected by Apollo 17 and other valuable geological collections of Denmark. Other things you can explore in the Museum is the Earth and the solar system.
The Natural History Museum is part of the six great museums found around the museum district Parkmuseerne. When you purchase a ticket to the Parkmuseerne, you’re free to visit all the other six museums.
5 Top Attractions in Copenhagen for Students – Conclusion While the above are the popular attraction sights for student visits in Copenhagen, the city offers much more to its visitors. You are free to pick from at least 80 sights to enjoy your educational trip.
5 Top Attractions in Copenhagen for Students, written exclusively for Daily Scandinavian
Feature image (on top): From the National Museum. Photo: Daily Scandinavian/Tor Kjolberg
