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Vipp Shelter Luxury Hotel in the middle of the Swedish forest

By
Lova Olsson
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Don’t know where to spend your next vacation? How about in a tiny luxury shelter in the middle of the Swedish forest? The Danish design firm Vipp recently opened their new hotel, a 55 sqm cabin with a kitchen, dining/living room area, bathroom and a mezzanine bed loft.

As soon as you check in to the Vipp Hotel, it’s fully booked. You’re the exclusive guest, with the whole hotel at your disposal. In that sense, the Vipp hotel is not a hotel in the traditional sense. Instead of having many rooms in one location, Vipp offers unique rooms at various destinations.

The interior of the shelter is carefully selected with one thing in focus – nature. Every detail of it was envisioned by the Vipp chief designer Morten Bo Jensen.

”We craved birdsong and open skies. To get out of the city with all the necessities and nothing more. The shelter is the result of that dream. A pod of tranquility designed as a large-scale Vipp product.” says Martin Bo Jensen, chief designer at Vipp.




The Vipp shelter is located right by the lake Immeln, which makes it perfect to go fishing or canoeing.




10,000 EUR (around 11,700 USD) is the price per night for a maximum of two adults. The bed is located in a loft and thanks to the big windows in the ceiling you can sleep under the stars. There is also a room for two more people to sleep on a day bed, located at the lower level of the residence.




You can forget about restaurants or room service, instead, you will find a fully equipped kitchen and an outdoor fire. In the bathroom, you will find a walk-in shower, fresh towels, and hair and body care from Aèsop. Other amnesties of the shelter are floor heating and free WiFi.

So far Vipp has two rooms available. Other than the Vipp shelter in the Swedish forest, located at lake Immeln, you can also go for maximized urbanity in the 400 m2 Vipp loft in Copenhagen. In 2018, the company will open their next hotel; a restored landmark in Northern Copenhagen, the Chimney house.

 

The Vipp loft in Copenhagen.




 

If this sounds like the perfect vacation for you, you can book your stay here. 

20 Must Follow Scandinavians on Instagram

By
Johanna Skytt
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Instagram is one of the biggest social media platforms as well as a great marketing platform for both individuals and companies. We all have our favorite accounts, but here at Swedes in the States, we’re always looking for more inspiration and new people to follow! You can’t get enough of inspiration, right? And as we all know, Scandinavia is brimming with talented and inspirational people. Here is a list of everything from yoga teachers to models to photographers, all born or currently living in Scandinavian countries!

Zlatan Ibrahimovic – iamzlatanibrahimovic – 30 M (soccer/fitness)
Zlatan “Ibra” Ibrahimovic is a world famous football player from Sweden. With 30 million followers he has the largest Instagram account with ties to Sweden. He posts pictures and videos of his football career, workouts, motivation quotes, his fragrance brand as well as his underwear brand.

 

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau – nikolajwilliamcw – 1.3 M (actor)Nikolaj Coster Waldau is a Danish actor, film producer and screenwriter. You probably recognize him for his role as Jamie Lannister in Game of Thrones. His most recent movie, Domiwno, will be out later this year and is written by the Norwegian screenwriter Petter Skavlan.

 




Rachel Brathen – yoga_girl – 2.1 M (yoga)

Swedish Rachel Brathen is a New York Times best selling author, entrepreneur and international yoga teacher living on the Caribbean island Aruba. After seeing her account you’ll surely want to try out yoga and she is truly the best motivation! Your soul feels slightly more harmonized just by looking at her pictures.

View this post on Instagram

Facebook gave me a memory from 5 years ago today (swipe left to see it⬅️). It’s me in our old house on the little yoga deck @dennisfromsalad built me in the garden underneath our mango tree. I’m in an advanced yoga pose and I make it look so easy. Looking at the memory I scoff – “those were the days! Look at what my body could do!”. I was practicing hours of yoga every day and taught 23 classes a week at the time. My entire life was yoga. I had just started this Instagram account and every day after my practice I’d lean my phone up against a rock, put it on self timer and take photos of myself in poses. I would post something new every day and from my little yoga deck in my backyard, I watched this community grow. . Today, writing this, my life looks vastly different. I’m older. I spent the bigger part of three straight years traveling the world teaching yoga. Eventually, my body couldn’t take it. I grew tired of living on the road. Decided to set roots. Got pregnant. Opened a yoga studio. Birthed a baby. My yoga practice is… Not what it was. Today, it was four poses on my mat in the living room while wriggling an 11-month old who thinks it’s hilarious to run at me as fast as she can with complete disregard for any obstacles in her way (ie dogs and furniture)😝 My yoga deck has grown but I have never, not once had a real practice on it (11-month olds and pools don’t quite go hand in hand). I still practice every day but I don’t practice the poses I once used to – there are no funky pincha mayurasanas in sight. I do yoga to stay sane and free from pain. It’s as simple as that. And I take very few photos of my practice because I don’t have the time anymore, and I find that the most inspirational things I can share have more to do with heart and soul than poses and body. So today when I told Dennis to take a photo of me attempting this pose… I meant it as a joke! Like “look what this crap looks like now”. BUT WHAT DO YOU KNOW PEOPLE! This momma’s still got it! It wasn’t even hard. Makes me wonder if I just naturally am able to do stuff like this or if some poses show up one day and are there to stay. Maybe… Some things just do stay the same🤔 #yoga

A post shared by Rachel Brathen (@yoga_girl) on

 



Avicii – avicii – 6.1 M (music)
This Swedish music producer and DJ currently lives in L.A. and unless you’ve lived under a rock the last ten years, you’ve most definitely heard his song on the radio more than a few times. Avicii, who’s real name is Tim Bergling, is known for songs such as Levels, Wake Me Up, Addicted To You… the list is long! Avicii posts amazing pictures from travels and his successful career.

 




Marcus & Martinius – marcusandmartinius – 1.2 M (music) 

These two Norwegian twins were born 2002 and quickly became pop stars in Scandinavia after being on the talent show Melodi Grand Prix Junior. The brothers are signed with Sony Music and you can find their songs on Spotify and Youtube. Hits include Elektrisk and Girls, which are catchy enough to get you into a good mood whenever! They post pictures of and updates on their career as well as cute video greetings to their fans and of course, some cool-looking selfies.

 



Elsa Hosk – hoskelsa – 4.2 M (modeling/fashion)

Follow this Swedish fashion beauty through her very successful model career. She is most famous for being one a of a few Scandinavians who’s managed to score a spot as an “angle” i.e being signed by Victoria’s Secret. She’s also worked on campaigns for brands such as Balmain and Dior. Follow her account and you might find her chilling at the beach or sipping lattes at a trendy coffeeshop in New York.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfJ52ZBA_ax/?hl=sv&taken-by=hoskelsa

 




Konsta Punkka – KPUNKKA – 1.1 M (photography)

Konsta Punkaa is a wildlife photographer from Finland, or as he calls himself “the squirrel whisperer”. His pictures are mostly from Scandinavia, but also from his travels. He often uses “the trick” of feeding the animals to get them closer to the camera. Judging by how close he came to this cute little squirrel below, we’d say he’s good at his job!

 

Zara Larsson – zaralarsson – 4.3 M (music)

This is Sweden’s queen of music! Zara Larsson only 20 years old but has the same confidence and girl power as Beyonce! Last year the Lush Life singer won a Grammy for Artist of The Year and her new album So Good sold gold! Her pictures are a mixture of flawless selfies, beautiful vacation spots and cool career updates. You can also check out her music videos on Youtube, the popular video for Aint My Fault has more than 215 million (!!) views!

https://www.instagram.com/p/Babjd0ngcE0/?hl=sv&taken-by=zaralarsson

 




Hildegunn Taipale – Hilvees – 397 K (travel)

This Norwegian girl and her boyfriend travels all over the world! Most recently they have been to Italy, Marrakech and Tanzania (where this beautiful picture was taken). They seem to be everywhere you could ever dream of, so if you want travel inspiration, you definitely have to check out Hildegunn Taipale’s account!

 



Maria Fagerström – mariathepilot – 367 K (travel)

Swedish Maria works as a pilot and lives on the tropical Canary Islands. She’s super inspiring with both her great energy and positive mindset. On her account you’ll find pictures of her travels and from her work in the cockpit. You can read about her adventures on her blog or check out her amazing videos here.

 




Rene Redzepi – reneredzepinoma – 583 K (food)

Rene Redzepl is a Danish chef who is the co-owner of the restaurant Noma in Copenhagen. Noma has two Michelin stars and has been voted the best restaurant in the world by Restaurant Magazine for four years in a row. Rene posts very interesting and artsy pictures of both fresh delicacies about to be prepared and marvelous complete dishes. Visit his account and you’ll get hungry real fast!

View this post on Instagram

Some of the seafood we tested for #nomamexico

A post shared by Rene Redzepi (@reneredzepinoma) on

 



Isabella Löwengrip – isabellalowengrip 421 K (business/beauty) 

Isabella shows us that it’s possible to combine a very busy career and being there for your kids as they grow up. She has been a blogger since she was 14-years old and today she’s a successful entrepreneur. Her beauty brand, Löwengrip Care & Color, is one of Sweden’s fastest growing beauty brand.  Check out her Instagram to get inspired by her entrepreneurial spirit. She also travels a lot and so you’ll see pictures of everything from white beaches to bustling cities!

 




Anine Bing – aninebing – 491 K (fashion)

Anie Bing is the founder and creative officer of the fashion brand ANINE BING. She is a world famous fashion designer, originally from Denmark, who now lives in LA with her family. On her Instagram she posts pictures of her fashion brand, style inspiration, beauty tips and some insight into her personal life. You can also check out her blog at https://www.aninesworld.com.

View this post on Instagram

Back to basics 🕶

A post shared by ANINE BING (@aninebing) on

 



Fredrik Eklund – fredrikeklundny – 1.1 M (real estate)

Swedish Fredrik Eklund is a well known real estate broker, wine-maker, author and tv-personality. He’s one of the stars in the reality show Million Dollar Listing where you follow him and other realtors managing deals worth several million dollars. On his Instagram you’ll see exclusive homes and views over New York as well pictures of him and his husband, their two dogs and their newborn twins.

View this post on Instagram

Daddy Tuesday… —— Grateful for another $91M in deals: – Madison Square Park Tower 62nd Floor Closed asking $24,950,000 – 5 Beekman 40A Closed $3,450,000 – 5 Beekman 39A Closed $3,150,000 – 5 Beekman 41A Closed $3,550,000 – 5 Beekman 41B Closed $3,850,000 – 5 Beekman 43A Closed $3,650,000 – 732 West End Ave TH1 Closed $3,750,000 – 1399 Park 6E Contract Out $795,000 – 1399 Park 6D Contract Out $1,690,000 – 32 East 1st Street 6AB Contract Signed $4,250,000 – One West End 26E Contract Signed $5,400,000 – One West End E line Contract Out $5,475,000 – One West End C line Contract Out $8,950,000 – 50 Clinton 6B Closed $1,375,000 – Congrats to everyone at One West End for another $16,000,000 in closings

A post shared by Fredrik Eklund (@fredrikeklundny) on

 




Kenza Zouiten – kenzas – 1.7 M (fashion/travel)

Do you love travel and fashion? Then you have to check out Kenza Zouiten’s account!  You get to follow Kenza in her everyday life, which is filled with everything from fashion events and relaxing beautiful beaches. She is a true entrepreneur and co-founder of the fashion brand Ivyrevel. In Sweden she’s most known for her blog, which was one of the first to become really popular at the beginning of the blog era. Kenza’s been blogging for over 10 years and her blog is still one of the most read! You can check out here.

 



Felix Kjellberg – PewDiePie – 13.6 M (youtuber)

Swedish Felix Kjellberg, more known as PewDiePie, is making funny game related videos on Youtube, where he has over 60 million subscribers. His channel has received over 13 billion views and he was listed in Time Magazine as one of The World’s 100 Most Influential People. You’ll find his Youtube channel here.

View this post on Instagram

@tsuki_market 🌙🌛🌝

A post shared by PewDiePie (@pewdiepie) on

 




Christoffer Collin – wisslaren – 1.3 M (photography)

This is one stunning photography account! Christoffer Collin really knows how to catch the beautiful nature of Sweden. He also wrote a book called Instagram changed my life which you can buy on Amazon (ADLINK). The book is about his personal journey in life and how he got over a million followers on Instagram.

 



Joel Kinnaman – joelkinnaman – 575K (acting/film)

From Sweden to Hollywood, our Swedish actor Joel is now known all over the world. His latest work is the Netflix show Altered Carbon (read more about it here!) and one of his next work will be the tv-show Hanna. On his account he posts pictures of his work life, his personal life with family and friends and travels. 

 




Jon Olsson – jonolsson1 – 922 K (travel/cars)

Follow entrepreneur and Youtuber Jon on his adventures with his girlfriend Janni when they travel the world. He also drives very expensive cars and goes skiing at the most beautiful skiing resorts. You can check out his really cool youtube channel here.

 



Björn Frantzén – bjornfrantzen – 149 K (food) 

Björn is the owner of the only restaurant in Sweden with three Michelin stars. The restaurant is called Frantzén and is located on Norrmalm in Stockholm. On his Instagram, you will see beautiful and colorful dishes as well as videos of how they make the food at the restaurant. You’ll definitely get into the mood of cooking!

Is mandatory workouts going to be the new thing in Sweden?

By
Elina Sundqvist
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1





Scandinavians are generally known for being relatively healthy. With the Swedish friskvårdsbidrag (a health deduction that Swedish people can use for monthly health activities, up to around $100) for some well-needed massage or a CrossFit class at the local gym, there really is no excuse not to stay active.




Now some companies want to take it even further by making exercise, like running on a treadmill, during work hours a mandatory event for all employees. Take, for example, the famous sportswear brand Björn Borg. Their chief executive Henrik Bunge implemented a compulsory work out session every Friday at a gym near the office.  “If you don’t want to exercise or be a part of the company culture, you have to go,” he says to AFP. This might come off as harsh, but so far no one has decided to quit over it.

Bunge initiated the exercise program which has been an active part of the company for more than two years. According to Burge, the mandatory exercise has made employees happier and more productive, and the overall numbers for the company have improved in the last two years.



Besides the productivity and creativity in the workplace, the workouts, which are usually performed in groups, have shown to be beneficial for employee relationships as well. Since the workout sessions are mandatory for everyone in all departments, it’s become more natural for employees to connect on an equal footing.  “When we go into the gym, we’re all on the same level. Your place in the company has no importance, everyone is equal,” says Ida Lang, who works at Björn Borg’s accounting department.

The fine line between encouraging an active lifestyle and making it compulsory is something many Swedish companies will have to struggle with if they are looking to be a part of this new trend. But since the famous Fika rast is almost as compulsory, Swedes might adapt brilliantly to being forced to the gym.



Frantzén: First restaurant in Sweden to get 3 Michelin stars

By
Johanna Skytt
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The Swedish restaurant Frantzén recently got rewarded three Michelin stars at the Michelin Guide special event in Copenhagen. Frantzén is the only restaurant in Sweden to have three stars and the owner Björn Frantzén couldn’t be happier. “It’s crazy right now. It’s been crazy since Frantzén and three stars showed up on the big screen during the event,” said Frantzén to SVT.




The restaurant, which is based on Norrmalm in Stockholm is the third restaurant in Scandinavia to get of three stars (which is the maximum according to the Michelin Guide), together with Norwegian restaurant Maaemo in Oslo and Danish restaurant Geranium in Copenhagen. The fact that only a little more than 100 restaurants in the world have three Michelin stars make us Swedes feel extra proud this week!

On the Michelin Guide’s website, the description of Frantzén is: “A unique restaurant set over 3 floors of a 19C property; ring the doorbell, enjoy an aperitif in the living room and have the day’s luxurious ingredients explained. A beautiful wood counter borders the sleek kitchen and the chefs present, finish and explain the flavor-packed dishes personally. Cooking is modern and creative but also uses classic techniques.”  




Besides the three stars restaurant Frantzén, there are four restaurants with two stars in Sweden: Daniel Berlin in Skåne-Tranås (also new this year), Fäviken Magasinet in Järpen, Oaxen Krog in Stockholm, and Vollmers in Malmö. Followed by 21 more restaurants with one star. Check it out the rest of the selection here.



Guide: Flying between Scandinavia and the U.S

By
Luda Berdnyk
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1







Everyone has New Year resolutions, and two in five people mentioned that they want to spend more time with their friends and family. For many of us, that means that part of our family could be in Scandinavia or another part of the US and we’re somewhere in the middle! If you’ve been overwhelmed by the number of options or want to know the best perks of each airline, you’re in luck.

This article is going to compare the different Scandinavian airlines, their destinations, what’s included, and the best perks for each company. Soon you’ll be buying a ticket to see your friends for Midsummer (if you’re not going to be in L.A. for Swedes in the States first Midsummer party) or drinking glögg with your family during Jul.

Ready? Let’s go!

NORWEGIAN

Norwegian Air is the largest airline in Scandinavia and the 6th largest low-cost airline in the world. It was founded in 1993 and, like the name states, was a regional airline in Norway. Since 2013, Norwegian has disrupted the airline market by adding long-haul flights to their itinerary and bringing a new era of low-cost travel to the world. Another fantastic bonus is that the majority of Norwegian’s fleet is eco-friendly!

 

 

Destinations:
Norwegian has an excellent choice of long-haul flights from Scandinavia to the USA. They service all Scandinavian countries, which you can see below. Please see their website for a complete list.

FROM SCANDINAVIA:
Sweden: Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmo, Luleå + more
Norway: Oslo, Ålesund, Bergen, Tromso + more
Finland: Helsinki, Oulu, Ivalo + more
Denmark: Copenhagen, Billund, Aalborg

TO USA:
San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Las Vegas, New York City, Orlando, Chicago, Austin + more

Sample Prices:
Since Norwegian is a low-cost airline, ticket prices won’t break the bank!

What’s included?
In the basic ticket (LowFare), the only thing included is getting you from point A to point B and a 10kg carry-on luggage.

Optional Add-Ons:
If you plan to check in your luggage, up to 20kg, you’ll need to pay extra ($55USD). Likewise, you’ll need to pay to reserve a specific seat ($35USD/leg), water ($3USD), onboard meal ($35USD), headphones ($6USD) and a blanket ($7USD). WiFi is free (!) and there is an excellent selection of in-flight entertainment (about $5 per movie). There is also a USB-hub to charge electronics.

General review:
We would recommend flying with a different airline if this is your first long-haul flight. You’ll be missing out on the basic amenities that most other companies have (reserved seating, food, and baggage), which might make your flight uncomfortable. If you have traveled before and are on a budget, Norwegian is an excellent choice. Many backpackers and frequent travelers love the savings and no-frills approach though.




 

SAS (Scandinavian Airlines System)

Scandinavian Airlines System, known as SAS, was created in 1946 when the three flag carriers of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway came together to form one company. SAS offers more than 800 flights daily and more than 29 million passengers travel with SAS annually,  between close to 120 destinations in Europe, the US, and Asia. Likewise, SAS was voted “Europe’s Best Airline” over 4 times since 2010.

Destinations:
Since SAS is a Scandinavian Airline, there are plenty of options to and from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and more.

NORWAY: Ålesund, Bergen, Kristiansand, Oslo, Tromsø, Trondheim + more

SWEDEN: Gothenburg, Luleå, Malmö, Stockholm, Umeå, Visby + more

DENMARK: Aalborg, Aarhus, Billund, Copenhagen

FINLAND: Helsinki, Kittilä, Kuusamo, Oulu, Tampere, Turku, Vaasa

USA: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Washington

Sample Prices:
SAS is an excellent choice for Scandinavia, with many tickets under $700 round-trip. Likewise, SAS has a program for youth travelers (under 26) that allows people under 26 to fly very cheap to the US, Asia, and Europe. In fact, many of our editors frequently fly with SAS because of this sale and rarely pays more than $250-400 for a round trip to Los Angeles, Chicago or New York from Stockholm.

New York to Scandinavia prices:

What’s included?
SAS passengers in Economy are served (1) soft drink and snacks,
followed by a three-course meal and free coffee/tea and water. All drinks served with the meals are complimentary and alcoholic drinks between meals can be purchased. Seats are free if you check-in 24 hours before departure, or they can be purchased in advance for $5-30$ depending on destination. Checked-in baggage (under 23kg) is free. WiFi is optional ($19USD), and there is an excellent (and free) selection of in-flight entertainment. There is also a USB hub to charge electronics.

General Review:
Overall, people rate SAS as a good airline. They have a sleek and clean design, warm hospitality, and reliable. Travelers also mentioned their useful iPhone app and delicious food.




 

FINNAIR

Finnair was founded in 1923 and is the 6th oldest airline in the world. It transports over 12 million passengers annually, with flights to and from Helsinki, being their most popular destination. It’s also one of the world’s safest airlines (behind Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific)!

Destinations:
Finnair has the most flights to and from Finnish cities, along with a great selection of Scandinavian and US cities.

FINLAND: Helsinki, Ivalo, Jyväskylä, Kuusamo, Kemi, Kokkola, Kittilä, Oulu, Turku, Vaasa + more

NORWAY: Bergen, Oslo, Tromsø

SWEDEN: Gothenburg, Stockholm, Umeå, Visby

DENMARK: Billund, Copenhagen

USA: Chicago, Las Vegas, Miami, New York, San Francisco

Sample Prices:
Most tickets range from $400s to $600s,  such as these flights from Helsinki to the US:

With trips to Stockholm and Helsinki ranging from the $500s to the $700s.

What’s included? On long-haul flights, such as the Helsinki to Miami one mentioned above, will include all meals, non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks, and 1 carry-on (up to 8kg) and 1 checked luggage (up to 22kg). You can choose your seat for international scheduled Finnair flights when you book your flight, but you can also do this when checking in online or at a self-service check-in kiosk. WiFi is optional ($22USD), and there is an excellent selection of in-flight entertainment. There is also a USB hub to charge electronics.

General Review: Finnair is another great airline in terms of service and flights. People really like their efficient service and reliability. Some reviews note that the staff isn’t overly friendly, which might be a dealbreaker to some travelers.




 

ICELAND AIR

The second oldest airline on our list, Iceland Air was founded in the late 1930s and only had one plane that did short trips in the northern part of the island. Now it is the flagship airline of Iceland and has flights to 40 cities in 16 countries.

Destinations:
 Iceland air has fewer destinations than the majority of other airlines, but there are still excellent and efficient routes to and from Scandinavia.

DENMARK: Billund, Copenhagen

NORWAY: Bergen, Oslo

SWEDEN: Gothenburg, Stockholm

FINLAND: Helsinki

USA: Chicago, Denver, New York, Portland, San Francisco, Washington DC, Seattle

Sample Prices:
Finnair has excellent tickets to various Scandinavian countries and they are usually under $600.

What’s included? On an Economy Standard flight, you’ll need to pay for food (although a children’s meal is included); soft drinks, coffee, and tea are complimentary. Economy Standard passengers may check in 1 bag weighing up to 23 kg as well as a 10 kg carry on. WiFi is optional ($10USD), and there is an excellent selection of in-flight entertainment. There is also a USB hub to charge electronics.

Joel Kinnaman in new Netflix series Altered Carbon

By
Johanna Skytt
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0





Sweden got some big names in Hollywood right now, such as Alicia Vikander, Noomi Rapace, Alexander Skarsgård and Joel Kinnaman who’s known for House of Cards, The Killing, and now the new Netflix series Altered Carbon.

Over the last few years the interest for sci-fi has increased, which hasn’t gone unnoticed   Netflix, who’s jumped on the futurism train with series like  Stranger Things, Sense8, Black Mirror and Dark. Their newest venture, Altered Carbon, is one of the most expensive shows Netflix has produced and the budget is reported to be around $6-7 million per episode. “I’m so stoked about this. It’s pretty much Netflix’s biggest endeavor. They’re really going to be able to create a world that’s got a bigger budget than the first three seasons of Game of Thrones.” said Kinnaman in an interview with Yahoo! Entertainment.



Altered Carbon is based on the novel by Richard K. Morgan and takes place more than 300 years in the future. Takeshi Kovacs is a soldier thats has been kept unconscious for 250 years and is waking up in a new body (sleeve), played by Kinnaman. The wealthy man Laurens Bancroft is the one who gives Kovacs the chance to get back to life, but it doesn’t come for free. Bancroft wants Kovacs to help him solve the murder of himself. The wealthy people (Meths) can live for hundreds of years, because they can afford the system that can place their digital consciousness (stacks) into a new sleeve.

Kinnaman plays the sleeve of Kovacs and Bancroft, who is played by British actor James Purefoy. The cast also include stars like Canadian Kristin Lehman, Martha Higareda, Renée Elise Goldsberry,  Chris Conner, Ato Essandoh, and Dichen Lachman.


To get people’s attention, Netflix came up with an interesting marketing campaign.  Here’s an example of what they did at a bus stop in West Hollywood, Los Angeles. They put a sleeve in a plastic bag and also made it look even more realistic by making it look like he’s breathing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCl_9HhF7vc

The truly unique marketing campaign got people intrigued and interested in the show, and so did Kinnaman. “It’s going to be something special. It’s something that’s never been done before and I’m a big fan of intelligent sci-fi. To see a sci-fi show with a hard R-rating with a big budget, so they’re really going to be able to create this entire world,” said Kinnaman to Yahoo! Entertainment.



The show’s been a hit with audiences so far, with a 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes and many fans are swooning for Joel Kinnaman’s truly ripped muscles – and his impeccable acting as well.




It’s still up in the air if there’ll be a season 2, and if it there is one, Kinnaman will most likely not be in it. “I don’t think so, no. We have no idea what the second season would be like, but my guess is that they follow the two other books, and they are all on completely different planets and on completely different worlds.” Kinnaman said to TV Guide.

Have you seen Altered Carbon? Let us know what you think, comment below!

 



Nordic Companies Are The Most Innovative In The World

By
Luda Berdnyk
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0





Are the Nordics edging out Silicon Valley? Bloomberg thinks so.

Earlier this year, Bloomberg released their 2018 Innovation Index, an annual list of the most innovative countries, which is based on 7 factors (including patents, research and development, and impact of innovation). Three Nordic countries made the list including Sweden (#2), Finland (#7), and Denmark (#8). South Korea topped the list at first place, and Israel beat the United States for 10th place.

Why did the United States drop out of the Top Ten? According to the report, even though productivity improved, there was a large drop in the Education Efficiency category, which is the addition of new science and engineering graduates in the labor force. Value-added manufacturing also declined.




2018 was another fantastic year for the Nordic countries Sweden, Finland, and Denmark as they maintained their place in the Top Ten.

Photo credit: Bloomberg

Sweden came in second place for the second year in a row because it is quickly gaining the reputation of Europe’s tech start-up capital. In fact, Stockholm produces the second-highest number of billion-dollar tech companies per capita, after Silicon Valley. Start-ups like Spotify, Minecraft, and SoundCloud are all made in Sweden and credit the country’s open environment, deregulation, and tax breaks for their success.



The majority of Finland’s win can be credited to their excellent R&D, where they rank #1. Although they had a huge impact on the world with Nokia years ago, Finland’s hottest industry right now is gaming. The share of Finnish mobile game development was roughly 7% of the revenue generated in the entire country from hits such as Angry Bird and Max Payne.




Just below Finland, Denmark is the country with the third most R&D personnel. This success can be credited to a large amount of pharmaceutical and biotech companies that need constant research to test out and market drugs. Top companies include Novo Nordisk, ALK-Abelló, and Pharma Nord.

“There’s something about those Nordic countries,” Bloomberg wrote when presenting its Innovation Index in 2017. This region’s rise in innovation is only the beginning.



Swedish government is looking to prohibit public smoking by 2019

By
Elina Sundqvist
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0




The Swedish government recently submitted a suggestion for a new law that would make it illegal to smoke in public in Sweden. If the law passes, it would mean that by January 1st, 2019, there will be no more smoking on playgrounds, bus stops, cafes, commute platforms, stadiums or other sports fields.

Annika Strandhäll, Sweden’s Minister of Social Affairs, told Aftonbladet “there is a widespread support among the Swedish population in taking that extra step, especially when it comes to protecting children and young people“.

Smoking on a park bench like this one could become illegal in Sweden.




It has been the Swedish government’s goal for a long time to turn Sweden into a completely smoke-free country by 2025. However, Annika Strandhäll thinks it would be too dramatic to suddenly prohibit smoking, and stop selling tobacco. “We’re taking it one step at a time“, she says to Aftonbladet.

In order for the law to become reality, the majority of the government has to vote in favor of the law. Something the Minister of Social Affairs thinks will be easy to achieve.

What do you think, is this a good or bad new law? Comment below!



The Nordic Update: 2018 Winter Oympics in PyeongChang

By
Luda Berdnyk
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The 2018 Winter Olympics are heating up thanks to a talented and tenacious group of Nordic athletes.

Norway, the historical winner of all the Winter Olympic games (with a total of 350+ medals!), is currently in first place. Trailing shortly behind is Germany, Canada, Netherlands, and France.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Norway

13 Gold

1. Aksel Lund Svindal – Men’s Downhill
2. Johannes Thingnes Boe – Men’s 20km Individual
3. Simen Hegstad Kreuger – Men’s 15 km Individual + 15 km Skiathlon
4. Norway – Men’s 4 x 10km Relay
5. Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo – Men’s Sprint Classic
6. Norway – Men’s Team Sprint Free
7. Ragnhild Haga – Ladies’ 10km Free
8. Norway – Ladies’ 4 x 5km Relay
9. Oystein Braaten – Men’s Ski Slopestyle
10. Norway – Men’s Team Ski Jumping
11. Maren Lundby – Ladies’ Normal Hill Individual Ski Jumping
12. Harvard Lorentzen – Men’s 500m Speed Skating
13. Norway – Men’s Team Pursuit Speed Skating



One of Norway’s most exciting wins was the 4x10km relay, when Norwegian teammates Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, Simen Hegstad Krüger, Martin Johnsrud Sundby, and Didrik Tønseth beat the Russian team by 10 seconds.

14 Silver

  1. Kjetil Jansrud – Men’s Downhill Alpine Skiing
  2. Henrik Kristoffersen – Men’s Giant Slalom
  3. Ragnhild Mowinckel – Ladies’ Downhill Alpine Skiing
  4. Ragnhild Mowinckel – Ladies’ Giant Slalom
  5. Marte Olsbu – Women’s 7.5km Sprint Biathlon
  6. Norway – 2x6km Women + 2×7.5km Men Mixed Relay Biathlon
  7. Martin Johnsrud Sundby – Men’s 15km cross-country skiing + 15km Skiathlon
  8. Simen Hegstad Kreuger – Men’s 15km Free
  9. Marit Bjoergren – Ladies’ 7.5km + 7.5km Skiathlon
  10. Maiken Caspersen Falla – Ladies’ Sprint Classic
  11. Johann Andre Forfang – Men’s Normal Hill Individual
  12. Norway– Nordic Combined Team large hill/4×5km
  13. Håvard Lorentzen – Speedskating Men’s 1000 m
  14. Norway – Biathlon Men’s relay



10 Bronze 

  1. Robert Johansson – Men’s normal hill individual ski jumping
  2. Sverre Lunde Pedersen – Men’s 5000m speed skating
  3. Hans Christer Holund – skiing Men’s 30 km skiathlon
  4. Marit Bjørgen – Women’s 10-kilometer freestyle cross-country skiing
  5. Kjetil Jansrud  – Men’s super-G alpine skiing
  6. Tiril Eckhoff – Women’s mass start biathlon
  7. Robert Johansson –  Men’s large hill individual ski jumping
  8. Emil Hegle Svendsen – Men’s mass start biathlon
  9. Marit Bjørgen & Maiken Caspersen – Falla Women’s team sprint
  10. Kristin Skaslien, Magnus Nedregotten – Curling Mixed doubles

What makes Norway such a winning team? Their secret to success is actually a formula of long, snowy winters; a high GDP that supports state of the art training facilities; the genuine friendship between teammates; and humor – there’s an old folk saying that “In Norway, kids are born with skis on their feet.”

“I think we are lucky to be on this team,” said Klaebo, the youngest member of the Norwegian team. “… To be able to take the gold is unbelievable.”




FUN FACT: On 6 February 2018, before the games, the Norwegian Olympic Team chefs inadvertently ordered 15,000 eggs from South Korea because of a Google Translate error. They only wanted 1,500 eggs. 

Photo credit: NBC Olympics




Sweden

Sweden, who is currently in 12th place on the Olympics standings, is also having a very exciting time. The Swedish men’s curling team, led by skip Niklas Edin, is the only undefeated team in the tournament. “I am not surprised we are playing well but I am surprised we are both undefeated so far,” Edin said, “because that takes a lot at the Olympic Games to not lose any games… We have to try to keep it up and keep our focus out there.”

Edin and his team will be facing off against the USA tomorrow in a race for the gold medal. With the way things are currently going, there’s a very good chance that they’ll raise their gold medal count to 6!

5 Gold

  1. Charlotte Kalla – Cross-country Women’s 15 km skiathlon
  2. Stina Nilsson – Cross-country Women’s sprint
  3. Hanna Öberg – Women’s individual biathlon
  4. Frida Hansdotter – Women’s slalom
  5. André Myhrer – Men’s slalom
  6. Sweden – Biathlon Men’s Relay




5 Silver

  1. Sebastian Samuelsson – Men’s pursuit
  2. Charlotte Kalla – Women’s 10 km freestyle
  3. Sweden  Women’s 4×5 km relay
  4. Charlotte Kalla, Stina Nilsson – Women’s team sprint
  5. Sweden – Women’s biathlon relay

 

Photo credit: Morry Gash/AP. From left, Norway’s Marit Bjoergen, silver; Sweden’s Charlotte Kalla, gold; and Finland’s Krista Parmakoski, bronze

Finland

A few spots below is Finland at number 19. Although they haven’t won a gold medal yet, Finland has already racked up four bronze medals – two of which were won by cross-country skier Krista Pärmäkoski in the Women’s 15-kilometer skiathlon and Women’s 10-kilometer freestyle.



4 Bronze

  1. Krista Pärmäkoski – Women’s 15-kilometer skiathlon
  2. Enni Rukajärvi – Women’s slopestyle
  3. Krista Pärmäkoski – Women’s 10-kilometer freestyle
  4. Finland women’s national ice hockey team – Women’s tournament
Photo borrowed from: http://www.worldcurling.org/

Iceland & Denmark

Although Iceland has not won any medals yet, they are currently competing in two sports: Alpine skiing and Cross-country skiing. The final Nordic country to compete, Denmark, is involved in five sports: Alpine skiing, Cross-country skiing, Curling, Freestyle skiing, and Speedskating. Although they haven’t won any medals yet either, we wish them (and all of the countries) luck and a successful time at the Olympics!

Norwegian Björgen becomes the greatest Winter Olympian of all times

By
Natalie Söderberg
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Marit Bjørgren from Norway has with her bronze medal in cross-country team sprint, become the greatest winter Olympian of all time. Since her first time at the Salt Lake City games in 2002, the decorated Norwegian athlete has won seven gold, four silver, and three bronze. Breaking her tie with countryman biathlete Ole Einar Bjoerndalen, thanks to her latest medal, Bjørgen now has 14 Winter Olympics medals after competing in the games five times. “When I think about what I’ve achieved, it’s been an amazing career,” Bjørgen told NTB.




With this, she has surpassed a whole list of legends, most notably fellow countrymen Ole Einar Bjørndalen (13 medals) and Bjørn Dæhlie (12 medals) and Swedish Charlotte Kalla (9 medals).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_multiple_Winter_Olympic_medallists

The list of over most medals won at the Winter Olympics is an impressive one. Noticeably with two Scandinavian countries dominating the list as well as seeing seven out of the top ten medalists being women.



During the ongoing Pyeongchang Games, the 37-year-old Bjørgen has won four medals: (1) gold during the women’s 4×5-kilometer game, (1) silver in the 15-kilometer skiathlon and a bronze in the 10-kilometer freestyle. If she chooses to compete in the last remaining event, the 30-kilometer mass start on Sunday, she has yet another chance to show why she’s the best Winter Olympian athlete of all times. And win one more gold medal than Ole Einar Bjørndalen, who have eight Olympic gold medals in total. Bjørgen said, to TVNorge, that “there’s still one more chance. I look forward to the 30-km run, I really do.“

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