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MY VOLVO MAGAZINE
2018
THE HIGH COAST
Experience the north of Sweden
REMARKABLE MATERIALS
Bacteria-infused trainers, spider silk and
photocatalytic paint
CARE BY VOLVO
A new way to get behind the wheel
SCANDI-NOIR
How Swedish crime fiction took over the world
the EDITORIAL TEAM
OFFICIAL PUBLISHER
Anders Kull, VCC, Global Customer Service
PRODUCTION
Stendahls
www.stendahls.se
PROJECT MANAGER
Ulrika Nilsson
EDITOR
Ulrika Hamrén
CREATIVE TEAM
Kenneth Anderson
Anna Gårding
Ylva Nestmark
Matt O´Leary
COVER PHOTO
Marcel Pabst
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Patrik Johäll
Marcel Pabst
Christopher Hunt
CONTACT
What would you like to read about?
Drop us an email and let us know
myvolvomagazine@stendahls.se
All prices shown in this magazine are
approximate. Local prices may differ.
Possible printing errors may occur.
My Volvo Magazine is made from CyclusOffset,
a natural, white uncoated paper made from 100%
recycled pulp which requires much less water and
a considerable reduction in energy consumption
compared to paper from virgin fibre.
MY VOLVO MAGA ZINE SOMMAR
o
N8
Think what we could achieve if we chose to see things differently.
If we looked beyond the obvious and everyday and, instead, went in
search of the unexpected and the extraordinary. The possibilities
would be endless. In this issue of My Volvo Magazine, we meet people
with a unique vision and the passion to follow their own path.
It’s time to look at the world from a new point of view.
VÄLKOMMEN
A
NEW
POINT
OF
VIEW SOMMAR 2018
7
THE CURIOUS SWEDE
MATERIALS
Inspired by the unique blend of materials that give
the Volvo XC40 its distinctive interior style, we take a
look at some of the strangest, most remarkable materials
being created right now, including bacteria-infused
trainers, spider-silk jackets, photocatalytic paint,
and pencil-lead building blocks.
18
INSPIRED BY
SCANDINAVIAN-NOIR
For more than a decade, the crime fiction
phenomenon known as Scandinavian-noir has
dominated international bestseller lists and captivated
TV audiences worldwide. We met up with Hans
Rosenfeldt, Swedish crime fiction writer and creator
of the hit TV series The Bridge, to discuss
Sweden’s mysterious side.
23
CARE BY VOLVO
Find out more about this contemporary subscription
service that lets you experience the very best a
brand-new car has to offer, with a series of great
extras that complement your lifestyle – and none of
the administrative headaches. All you have to do is sit
behind the wheel and enjoy yourself.
33
THE STORY
THE HIGH COAST
We took some kayaks to the north of Sweden to
find out about the beautiful natural landscapes of
the High Coast – and experience first-hand what
makes it so unique and inspirational.
T H E ST U F F T H AT DR E A MS A R E M A DE OF
Inspired by the unique blend of materials that give the Volvo XC40 its
distinctive interior style, and the thought processes of its designers,
we take a look at the strangest, most remarkable materials being
created right now, such as bacteria-infused trainers, spider-silk jackets,
photocatalytic paint, and pencil-lead building blocks.
T E X T / M AT T O ´ L E A R Y
7
THE CURIOUS SWEDE
THE CURIOUS SWEDE THE CURIOUS SWEDE
“The clash between the
In 2017, a group of researchers at MIT, the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, created a new material where 2D
Scandinavian sense of closeness
graphene is used to make a 3D sponge-like structure that’s
incredibly light, but still several times stronger than steel.
to nature and the Scandinavian INCY WINCY
This new graphene structure was developed by looking at
history of creating cutting-edge the natural world for inspiration – such as the structures of
sponges and corals – and nature has also inspired another
technology is something that marvellous material that’s now being produced commercially.
One that sounds remarkable and terrifying in equal measure.
inspires us a lot.” Would you wear a jacket made from spider silk?
Factories and farms populated by clusters of tarantulas
THE FUTURE
Erik and his team believe that, in the future, they will rely on
might not seem like the kind of thing you want in your a “synergy of classic luxurious materials, with a combination
future, but it’s OK – this kind of silk has never had anything of smart technical solutions and materials” in their work.
to do with a spider. It’s an entirely new product made from It’s hard to predict how this will take shape exactly, but
E R I K Å L E B Y, I N T E R I O R D E S I G N E R specially engineered synthetic proteins. It also displays “lightweight materials, vegan alternatives to leather, more
all the properties of actual spider silk – it’s remarkably organic materials, alternatives to plastic and non-animal bio-
strong, resilient and stretchy. This makes it perfect for plastic” are all touted as current possibilities.
rough weather and strenuous activity, which is why outdoor It’s exciting to follow how these new materials will end up
clothing company The North Face partnered with synthetic being used practically. Some of them are genuinely amazing.
silk manufacturer Spiber to make a gold version of their And others – if we’re being sensible and practical and
Moon Parka from the miracle thread. maybe a little bit unimaginative – might seem pointless. But
When the Volvo XC40 was our cars,” Erik says. “We find them at Erik also highlights the fully recyclable sports shoe made remember that, once upon a time, there was almost certainly
launched, its interior styling made trade shows, in design fields other than by Adidas using the same kind of material as a “very inspiring someone who glanced at a piece of recycled plastic, wrinkled
waves. Here was a modern car, our own, in magazines, at our suppliers product.” He also agrees that this kind of development is their nose and said, “Well, it’s very nice, but I don’t think it’s
designed for modern lifestyles, and in our Scandinavian heritage. At important for Volvo Cars as well as the world in general, ever going to catch on.”
that gave owners a chance the same time, the clash between the adding adding, “Our dream is that, in the future, we won’t One day, when we’re living in graphene sponge homes and
to express themselves. The Scandinavian sense of closeness to actually need to talk about sustainability in materials. It will driving cars with spider-silk upholstery, we might find it very odd
bright colours and cool, high- nature and the Scandinavian history be a given.” that people said the same thing about our glowing trainers.
performance materials available in of creating cutting-edge technology is
the selection of trims shook the “wood and leather” tradition something that inspires us a lot.” PAINTING WITH ENERGY
of luxury interiors, perfectly suiting the personality and design Another new material developed with next-level sustainability
of the whole car. A MATERIAL WORLD in mind is photocatalytic paint. As well as looking smart on
Erik Åleby, one of the designers who worked on the interior If you pick up any science magazine or browse your favourite your walls, this paint absorbs water vapour from the air, and
of the XC40, told us about how he and his team were briefed to tech website, you’re likely to find a soundbite or two about cool then splits it – creating hydrogen. The hydrogen can then
create something that wasn’t just a “little brother” of the XC90 new materials. As soon as they’re created, they’re highlighted be harvested and used as energy to power fuel cells and
and XC60. It needed to be every inch a Volvo car, reflecting the by trendspotters and journalists and hailed as the next big combustion engines. Researchers at RMIT University in
company’s heritage, but it also had to be distinct with its own thing. Whether or not they will end up making a difference to Melbourne, Australia see this as something that can help
individual form of expression. everyday designs is unsure. But the possibilities are always power the cities of the future – making energy from water
To create a strong first impression, Erik and his team first exciting. without actually having to take anything from the main supply.
Scientists at MIT have developed a fabric that’s been THE REINCARNATE PROJECT
looked at materials for the car’s interior. While conceptualising Any new material used in a Volvo car has to exhibit – as
Using recycled materials in a car’s interior is just the start. The next step
and selecting them, they found influences in unexpected Erik says – a “high degree of functionality and cutting- impregnated with a safe form of E coli bacteria. They then
is to recycle the interior of the car itself. Airbags and leather from Volvo
places. “It meant looking at other Scandinavian brands, in other edge design.” It also helps if it’s sustainable, and the most used this fabric to make a training shoe. However, instead cars will soon be repurposed and turned into something beautiful, such as
industries such as fashion, furniture and sportswear,” says Erik. interesting sources of inspiration come from nature. But it’s of producing energy, this material starts to glow when it gets bags, furniture and clothing, some of which will then be available through
the Volvo Car Lifestyle Collection.
“We wanted to take the Volvo brand forwards, using materials not just the designers at Volvo Cars who are working with damp. In other words, if you’re out for a run at night, your
Volvo Cars, in collaboration with Chalmers Industriteknik, Boid, car
that feel unexpected, but are also really well executed. And we these kinds of influences. They’re where material science is trainers will light up as your feet get sweaty. dismantlers Jönköpings Bildemontering and the clothing company
wanted our customers to feel – oh, this is a bit different, I love heading in general. This is a remarkable development. The researchers Houdini, have launched The Reincarnate Project. It turns discarded
it!” As a result, the interior of the XC40 contains an inspired and Let’s take the so-called miracle material graphene as an are using it to explore how bacteria in material can be materials from inside Volvo cars into something premium that you’ll
definitely want to buy. The project takes material from dismantled cars
unique selection of materials, such as the recycled polyester felt example. It’s one atom thick, just about transparent and very, very “programmed” to respond in certain ways, depending on
and repurposes them into things that are both attractive and sustainable.
of the carpets and inserts, and Oxide Red leather that mimics strong – about 200 times stronger than the strongest steel, in fact. the situation. They’re starting small, though. The next step, In doing so, it supports and promotes Volvo Cars’ core value of care for the
the distinctive deep red hue of traditional Swedish cottages. It’s also very conductive, magnetic and weirdly good at absorbing according to the people who made these trainers, is to environment, as well as producing attractive, high-quality goods that carry
get the bacteria to emit a pleasant smell, thus solving the the brand and will look good in your home, your office or your wardrobe.
They also tried to innovate without saying goodbye to light. But, because it’s so thin and hard to produce, it hasn’t
tradition. “We are always looking for new materials to put into proven itself to be all that useful in practical terms – until now. problem of stinky gym shoes forever.
8 9
M Y VO LVO M AG A Z I N E SO M M A R M Y VO LVO M AG A Z I N E SO M M A R
THE CURIOUS SWEDE
DARE TO LOOK DIFFERENTLY
KARÜN
What do discarded fishing nets, piles of worn-out jeans and fallen trees Karün has released three exclusive
collections. Each collection is characterised
from Patagonia have in common? The answer is sunglasses. Confused? by unique frames made from unconventional
Don’t worry, all will become clear as we meet Thomas Kimber – the man materials. Their first collection featured
frames made from fallen trees found in the
behind a unique range of sunglasses designed to help people see the
forests of Patagonia. The second collection
world in a more positive light. was fashioned from discarded fishing nets
found in the ocean. The latest collection
features frames made from worn-out jeans
plucked from landfill sites.
When people choose to only see the positive side of life, But if Thomas wanted to help change the way the economy
they can be accused of looking at the world through rose- worked, he first had to prove it was possible to change
coloured glasses. But what’s wrong with that? Why shouldn’t the way a business could be run. So, in 2012 he founded
we take a more positive view of the world around us – and Karün. Karün means “to be nature” in the Mapuche
why shouldn’t we encourage others to do the same? language, which is the native culture of Chile. With Karün,
This is the thinking behind Karün, an innovative new com- Thomas was determined to show that there are alternatives
pany from Chile that specialises in high-quality sunglasses, in business. That instead of solely being a source of profit,
which are inspired by nature and crafted from the most a business could act as a force for good.
unexpected materials, such as fallen trees, discarded fishing
nets and worn-out jeans. It’s a unique approach, and one A MORE POSITIVE MESSAGE
which Karün’s founder, Thomas Kimber, hopes will encourage During his travels in the Patagonian wilderness, Thomas
people to look at the world from a positive new perspective. began thinking about the fashion industry. And the more he
thought about it, the more he realised it represented a real
THE MAN BEHIND THE SHADES opportunity to bring about positive change. When it comes
When Thomas Kimber was 18, he began studying economics to pollution, the fashion industry is one of our planet’s worst
at university in his native Chile. Pretty soon, however, he began offenders. But it also has the power and potential to send
to question the motive behind the economic model he was a global message to millions of people. All we have to do,
being taught. Deep down, something didn’t feel right. The idea Thomas thought, is send the right message.
that the vast majority of companies existed purely to maximize So, Thomas began to wonder. What if, instead of causing
profit, often regardless of the consequences to both workers pollution and promoting unnecessary consumerism,
and the environment, went against everything he believed in. the fashion industry could be used to send out a more
“To maximize profit, all decisions must lead to lower costs positive and responsible message. Or as Thomas puts it,
and higher levels of production,” Thomas explains. “This “a message of empathy, love and consciousness.” With the
means paying workers lower wages, using synthetic materials, fashion industry set firmly in his sights, all Thomas had to
polluting the rivers, oceans and the air. I couldn’t believe this do now was come up with a product to bring about the kind
kind of thinking was seen as normal. And that all over the world of change he had been dreaming of since leaving university.
people were following it – almost like a religion.” The answer came quickly: sunglasses.
After some reflection, Thomas abandoned his studies “Sunglasses are an icon of the fashion industry,”
and set out to broaden his horizons instead. “After quitting explains Thomas. “You see the world through them. So,
university, I travelled a lot in the wilds of Patagonia. The my thought was to use sunglasses as a tool to spread a
contrast between these pure, magical places and the message. To prove that we could make the highest-quality
stressful environment of the city led me to understand eyewear using an entirely different process, and entirely
that it was imperative to deeply change the way our different materials.” And this is exactly what Karün has
P H OTO : P Í A V E R G A R A
economy works.” succeeded in doing.
11
M Y VO LVO M AG A Z I N E SO M M A R
THE CURIOUS SWEDE
way, so it benefits both people and the planet. “With Karün,
we’re doing our best to change the way our entire supply
chain operates. We’re not just making sunglasses made with
recycled material, we want to put forward a different point of
view of what a company’s role in society can be. This means
working on every step of production to make sure we have a
positive impact on the environment.”
“Instead of seeing
ourselves as something
different from nature,
REINVENTING A FASHION ICON
So far, Karün has released three exclusive collections. Each
as if we had the right
collection is characterised by exquisite designs and unique
frames made from somewhat unconventional materials.
to own it and use it,
Their first collection featured frames made from fallen trees
found in the forests of Patagonia. The frames in their second
we should start to see
collection were fashioned from discarded fishing nets found
in the ocean. And their latest collection features frames ourselves as part
of nature.”
made from worn-out jeans plucked from landfill sites. One of the most positive impacts Karün has had is on the
local communities who live close to where the company
gathers its materials. Suddenly, former waste products like
fishing nets and fallen trees have become valuable sources THOMAS KIMBER
of income, which can empower whole communities and help
them build a more solid economy.
LET’S WORK TOGETHER
This is something Thomas clearly feels very passionately
about. “It is very satisfying to see how we are starting to
make an impact on local economies and in people’s lives. We
are very small, but if we can use this example and replicate
it with other major corporations – imagine the impact we can
have together!”
And it is this idea of togetherness that really seems to
drive Thomas’s vision with Karün. He understands only too
But how does Karün go about choosing the materials for their well that the environmental problems facing the world are
designs? “It might sound a little clichéd, but the materials too large and complex for one person, or even one country,
choose us,” says Thomas. “We don’t sit around thinking how can to deal with alone. The only way we can make a difference
we catch people’s attention. Instead, we study the real sources is to work together.
of pollution to see if they have the necessary characteristics to “This is not a simple task. And there is no way that one
be turned into high-quality eyewear. Fishing nets, for example, person, one company or one nation can do it alone – we
are made from highly resistant and flexible material, so we use need all of humanity working together. But we need to
it for sports sunglasses. Wood, on the other hand, is more rigid start somewhere. We want people to start looking at the
and delicate, so we use it for urban eyewear.” world from a different point of view. So, instead of seeing
ourselves as something different from nature, as if we had
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE the right to own it and use it, we start to see ourselves as
But it’s not just Karün’s unconventional choice of materials that a part of nature. I believe that if we start viewing the world
helps them stand out from the crowd. It’s also their desire to around us like this, most of the problems we see would
reinvent every step of the production process in a responsible start to disappear.”
12
M Y VO LVO M AG A Z I N E SO M M A R
ME SSAGE IN A BOT TLE
JESPER JENSEN, GL ASS ARTIST
It would be pretty boring if we all looked at life in the same way.
But with people like glass artist Jesper Jensen around, there’s not
much chance of that. Because where others see tomorrow’s
trash, Jesper sees a future piece of art.
T E X T / P H OTO / / K E N N E T H A N D E R S O N / PAT R I K J O H Ä L L
The clock strikes 6.30am as we stand bleary-eyed on a Jesper makes it all sound very simple. But, obviously, this is
Berlin backstreet. One man takes his dog for a morning an extremely complicated process, which requires a huge
walk, while another takes himself for a morning run. But amount of skill and craftsmanship. Every stage of his art
apart from that, the city is yet to stir. Just then, the quiet is carefully considered – even when it comes to choosing
streets are woken from their slumbers by the sound of which glass bottles to use.
glass bottles clinking together. This is our alarm call. Our “I don’t just pick any bottles,” he explains. “I intentionally
day has begun. stay away from bottles that can be dropped off at
supermarkets and then recycled. Because then I interfere
EVERYDAY OBJECTS REBORN with a system that already works. And I don’t want to do
Jesper Jensen cycles towards us on his customised, that.” Instead, Jesper only works with glass bottles that
three-wheeled cargo bike. Fitted to the front of the bike can’t be recycled through the normal channels. This way, he
is a large cargo box. And in it sits a plastic crate filled ensures nothing goes to waste.
with glass bottles. These are the bottles Jesper has
collected on his morning ride through the city. You see, HOME IS WHERE THE ART IS
his day began long before ours did. And now, he’s on Jesper invites us up to his studio where we are met by his
his way home. partner, Laura, and their two young daughters. The studio
In Berlin, it’s not uncommon to see people collecting also doubles as the family home. And when we arrive, it’s
used bottles or cans – in fact, it’s actively encouraged. breakfast time. Jesper and Laura’s youngest daughter is
You see, these bottles and cans will then be handed in eating porridge while her older sister, Alba, is busy getting
to supermarkets for recycling in exchange for money. It’s herself dressed for nursery. Her chosen outfit for the day? A
a smart scheme that everyone can benefit from. But this lion, of course. Eventually, Alba wins the debate and Jesper
isn’t why Jesper Jensen does it. So, why does he get up helps her on with her lion costume. As he does so, he
at the crack of dawn every morning, climb aboard his trusty explains how he ended up moving from his native Denmark
Christiania cycle and set off around the backstreets of to Berlin a decade ago.
Berlin? Well, Jesper is a glass artist. And the glass bottles “I grew up in the Danish countryside. Most of the people I
he collects will soon be shaped and reborn in the form of knew there were craftsmen. They made things with their bare
cool drinking glasses, unique pitchers and elegant vases. hands and were proud of it. Sadly, you don’t see so much
of that nowadays as everything is now mass-produced and
NOTHING GOES TO WASTE disposable. Seeing this tradition disappear had an effect on
“I cycle around the city every morning and collect used me. This is why I now do my best to produce high-quality
wine bottles. Then I clean them, cut them, heat them, fire- pieces that people can actually use, appreciate and keep
polish the sharp edges and bend them to the shape I want.” for a long time.”
THE CURIOUS SWEDE THE CURIOUS SWEDE
JESPER FIRES HIS CREATIVITY extremely high temperatures for extended periods of time.
Jesper studied at the National School of Glass in Orrefors, And as you can imagine, this uses up a huge amount of
Sweden – a name that will undoubtedly be familiar to many energy. But by choosing to work with used glass bottles that
Volvo owners. He then moved to Bergen, Norway, where he rescues from the rubbish, Jesper manages to reduce
he lived for almost three years. While in Norway, Jesper both financial and environmental costs.
worked his way up from the position of assistant to master “I don’t blow the glass,” he explains. “So I don’t need to
glassblower. On leaving Norway, Jesper spent time travelling have ovens burning at extremely high temperatures for long
in Spain and Portugal. He also spent summers working as periods of time. This means I use a lot less energy than
an assistant glassblower on the Danish island of Bornholm. more traditional glass-makers.”
But even though his experiences during this time Jesper clearly loves the path his less traditional approach
taught him a lot, Jesper was keen to get started on his has taken him down. And it seems, he has now found what
own projects. So, he started he was missing when he
looking for a new challenge
that would fire his creativity.
“The life I lead today was an apprentice glass-
blower in Bergen all those
“I felt I had reached a
certain point as an apprentice
comes naturally to me. years ago.
“I love the fact that you
where I had stopped learning. Only now I pick bottles can take an item out of the
Instead of working for other rubbish one day, and the
people, I had a need to instead of apples.” next day you can have a
express myself. And in order high-quality product in your
to do that I had to work on my own projects.” hands. It is a great way of proving that everyday objects can
So, he moved back to Denmark and enrolled in a design be remade into something enduring and useful.”
degree course at The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts,
Schools of Architecture, Design and Conservation. It was LEADING A NATURAL LIFE
here that Jesper was invited to take part in a competition Today, Jesper’s designs can be found not only in art
organised by the Danish Ministry of Culture. exhibitions, they can also be found in a number of respected
“The competition asked for projects about sustain- German restaurants, hotels and design boutiques. One of
ability and the environment. At the time, I was experi- his pieces even occupies pride of place in the “100 Classics”
menting with hot glass using minimal resources. exhibition at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Berlin.
I submitted my project and won. This really inspired me. It was But when it comes to his art, he is not driven by a need to
then I realised that I could do this for a living.” be seen. Instead, he is driven by a passion for the environment
and the desire to lead a sustainable lifestyle.
KEEPING THE COST DOWN “I come from a family of hippies. We grew our own fruit
MEET JESPER Watch our film on the
tablet versions of My Volvo Magazine Working with glass can be a costly form of expression – and vegetables and focused on trying to eat locally produced
both for the artist’s wallet and the environment. For example, food. I’m happy to lead the life I lead today. It comes naturally
glassblower have to keep their glass furnaces burning at to me. Only today I pick bottles instead of apples.”
16 17
M Y VO LVO M AG A Z I N E SO M M A R M Y VO LVO M AG A Z I N E SO M M A R
T E X T / P H OTO / / K E N N E T H A N D E R S O N / C H R I S TO P H E R H U N T
For more than a decade, the crime fiction phenomenon known as
Scandinavian-noir has dominated international bestseller lists and captivated
TV audiences around the world. We met up with Hans Rosenfeldt, Swedish
crime fiction writer and creator of the hit TV series The Bridge, to discuss
the mysterious side of the land of the midnight sun.
W
ell-adjusted people working together to build a more exploits of Swedish police detective, Martin Beck. Collectively, the Beck series
tolerant society. Small wooden summer houses set in rolling became known as ’The Story of a Crime’ – but the series was more complex
countryside. Maypoles and midnight sun. These are just some than that. This wasn’t simply the story of one man’s fight against crime, this was
of the things people associate with modern-day Sweden. the story of an entire country.
But there’s another Sweden. A hostile, bleak place filled Over the course of a decade, Sjöwall and Wahlöö used Beck as a way of
with murder, mystery and intrigue. A place where world-weary holding a mirror up to Swedish life. Each book charted the changes they saw in
detectives spend as much time fighting their inner demons as Swedish society and described the shifts in the social, political and economic
they do fighting crime. This is the Sweden you can visit on the pages of the climate. Authentic, meticulously researched and with an obsessive attention to
best-selling detective novels that have become known throughout the world as detail, this was a new type of crime fiction. This was Scandinavian-noir.
Scandinavian-noir.
CHAPTER TWO: THE NEW WAVE
CHAPTER ONE: A CHANCE ENCOUNTER Sadly, Per Wahlöö passed away in 1975. The final Beck novel was published
Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö met in 1961, while working as journalists for the in the same year. Since then, a whole host of Swedish crime writers have been
same publisher. They became a couple and had two children together. Every inspired by the work of Sjöwall and Wahlöö. Writers such as Henning Mankell,
evening, after the children had gone to sleep, Maj and Per would sit down Stieg Larsson and Camilla Läckberg have all taken Beck’s blueprint and used it
and write. Inspired by the masters of American hard-boiled detective fiction, to bring Scandinavian-noir blinking into the international spotlight.
Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett, they began carefully crafting their Another Swedish writer inspired by Sjöwall and Wahlöö is Hans Rosenfeldt,
own crime stories – but with a uniquely Swedish twist. The result of these the creative force behind international TV crime series sensation, The Bridge.
nocturnal writing sessions was a series of books that changed the way people “Sjöwall and Wahlöö were pioneers,” says Hans.
approached crime fiction and paved the way for a new wave of Swedish “They turned policemen into people and created criminals who were much
crime writers who would go on to thrill the world. Between 1965–1975, more than simply one-dimensional monsters. They came up with characters
Sjöwall and Wahlöö wrote ten books together, all focused around the
18 you wanted to know more about and could return to.”
I N S P I R E D BYI N S P I R E D BY
the plight of child refugees. With this genre, we are able to hold a mirror up to
ourselves and our society.”
CHAPTER FIVE: SWEDEN AS THE STAR
For a country as small as Sweden, making such a big impact on bestseller lists
and international TV audiences alike is quite an achievement. But what is it about
Swedish crime fiction that people from all over the world find so fascinating?
“Swedes are good at creating interesting characters as well as interesting plots,”
explains Hans. “Also, people think Sweden is quite exotic. Other countries have a
tendency to see us as the perfect society, where everyone lives in harmony and
takes care of one another. So, it’s fascinating for them to read stories that depict
our lives in the frozen north as far from perfect.”
We are now so familiar with the characters, plots and settings featured in British
and, especially, American crime stories that we have almost become desensitised
to them – regardless of how gruesome or shocking the plots get. In contrast,
the bleak, minimalistic landscapes and everyday people depicted in shows like
Henning Mankell’s Wallander or Rosenfeldt’s own The Bridge are so alien to most
people that they may as well have been beamed down from another planet.
CHAPTER SIX: THE APPEAL OF THE UNKNOWN
And this is where Scandinavian-noir’s strength lies – in the unknown. With its
meticulous attention to detail, simple language, sombre mood and slow, methodical
Born in Borås, just outside Gothenburg, Hans grew up on a steady diet of British pace, Scandinavian-noir is a world away from most modern crime fiction. As a result,
and American crime shows, Swedish detective novels and the classic stories of we are forced to engage with the stories on a different level, ask new questions
Stephen King. “I grew up watching British and American detective shows. I also and, above all, prepare to be patient. These are stories that demand emotional
read a lot of Swedish detective fiction – everything from crime stories for kids to investment. But the rewards are well worth it.
the books of Sjöwall and Wahlöö. My parents didn’t really mind what I watched or With more talented writers appearing all the time, and more people eager to
read, so I was free to take everything in.” explore the darker side of the land of the midnight sun, the genre of Scandinavian-
noir looks like it will be keeping readers in suspense for a long time yet.
CHAPTER THREE: A TWIST OF FATE
When he left school, Hans dreamt of becoming an actor. But, deep down, he knew
he lacked the necessary talent. So, he turned to writing instead. He began writing
scripts for Swedish radio and TV. Pretty soon, everything began falling into place.
“I knew then that this is what I wanted to do. I love creating fictional worlds filled
with characters and situations that I can control. It’s fun to play God for a while.”
After a while, Hans decided he would try writing a detective novel together
with his friend, the Swedish author and director, Michael Hjorth. “We had created
a TV show around a character called Sebastian Bergman, who was a criminal
psychologist. Unfortunately, the show was turned down.” Hans and Michael,
however, had invested too much time in Sebastian to let him languish in a desk
drawer. So, they chose another path. “It was the middle of the detective boom of
the 2000s and everyone around us was writing detective novels. So, we thought,
’How hard can it be?’” And with that, the story of Sebastian Bergman began to
unfold in books instead of on television screens.
CHAPTER FOUR: A CRIMINAL TRADITION
Even though writing detective fiction was never part of his plan, Hans is now one
of Scandinavian-noir’s most original and exciting voices. It’s almost as if Swedish
writers are inexorably drawn to the genre. So, why do so many of these writers
commit to a life of crime?
“In Sweden, crime fiction is a tradition,” says Hans. And it’s true. No Swedish SIX OF THE BEST
public holiday would be complete without detective shows filling the TV schedules. Hans selects some of his favourite books from Sweden and beyond.
Sweden even hosts an international crime writing festival “Crimetime Gotland”,
1 Snabba cash (Easy Money) by Jens Lapidus
We believe that flooring creates harmony and balance
where people come from all over the world to meet authors, attend crime-writing
2 Roseanna by Sjöwall/Wahlöö between people, objects and the surrounding space.
courses, solve mysteries and watch films.
3 Lilla stjärna (Little Star) by John Ajvide Lindqvist See our new flooring collection Elements at bolon.com
“Sweden has its faults. But, in general, we are lucky enough to live relatively
comfortably and freely here. This freedom allows us to devote more time and 4 The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks
energy into being creative,” explains Hans. “Detective novels are an effective 5 The Road by Cormac McCarthy
way of documenting the times we live in. If you look at some of the crime novels 6 Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
released recently, they all deal with contemporary issues, such as terrorism and
20
M Y VO LVO M AG A Z I N E SO M M A RCARE
BY
VOLVO
A N E W W AY TO G E T B E H I N D T H E W H E E L
Care by Volvo lets you experience the very best a brand-new car has
to offer, with extras that complement your lifestyle, while removing all of
the administrative headaches. Forget about fixing the insurance, taxes,
maintenance and service yourself. Leave all that to us. Just sit behind
the wheel and enjoy yourself.
There’s no shortage of services that can give you access to cars without having to stress
about the nuts and bolts of ownership. But none of them are quite like Care by Volvo. It’s been
designed to redefine how people use cars – putting you behind the wheel of a new Volvo
XC40 with access to lots of tempting extras that make things more convenient for you. It’s been
inspired by the subscription models that define life for millions of people today, and it’s led to
the Volvo XC40 being described as “the fashionable SUV you can buy like a phone.”
We stream our music, movies and TV on demand. We book ourselves places to stay, wherever
we are, via app. As soon as our mobile phones are actually 100% ours, it’s time to swap them
for new ones. Some of us even subscribe to our workplaces, our wardrobes and our morning
coffee. Why should our cars be any different?
23
C A R E BY VO LVOC A R E B Y V O LV O
“Some of us
even subscribe to
our workplaces,
our wardrobes and
our morning coffee.
Why should our cars
be any different?”
A lot of different factors were at play during the creation of FACTS
FT INT
Care by Volvo. First and foremost, there’s the understanding that Extras D R A OT P R
N
DO
successful modern companies are making the transition from just Core offer
creating products to providing services. What’s more, it’s what we Specifications
expect. Apps and devices that let us stream music, borrow books, Car – XC40 most markets
arrange overnight stays, grab lifts in the city and have a flexible URL
place to sit and work are no longer a novelty, but the norm. Price
Secondly, there’s the question of modern life and, specifically,
the amount of free time we have to enjoy in a world filled with distractions. Volvo Cars aims to
give drivers a whole week of their time back per year. Why not use dedicated personal service
to try to achieve this? If you think about exactly how much time we spend making insurance
comparisons, hunting down the best deal, scanning in signed duplicates, and hanging on the
telephone every year – well, you can see that letting someone else take care of that admin
will save time directly.
Car use is also about much more than getting the vehicle on the road and driving it legally.
How do we use our cars? What do we use them for? And is there anything that Volvo Cars
can help out with?
From this, a new subscription service began to take shape. One that was designed to
surpass all the other leasing services on the market and, quite frankly, make them look a
bit boring. One that would deliver a hotly anticipated new car – the Volvo XC40 – to new
customers eager to make the most of it. And one that would also include additional services
that make life a bit better, like pick-up and delivery, connected services, a concierge and fuel
delivery. These extras vary from country to country, but all have something in common: They
save you time and effort, and turn the whole experience of having a car into something a little
bit more luxurious.
Getting started with Care by Volvo is pretty simple. Visiting the service’s homepage gives
you an overview of exactly what’s available where you live. Registering your interests and
filling in any specifications will then prompt your local dealer to get in touch and discuss the
specifications of the package with you. Then before long, you’ll be on the road – safe in the
knowledge that the essentials have been taken care of, service is only a phone call away, and
you’re free to enjoy the ride.
25
M Y VO LVO M AG A Z I N E SO M M A RWHERE THE
MAGIC PRESSING MATTERS
The press shop is the noisiest, most industrial-
feeling part of the factory. Here, gigantic rolls of
HAPPENS
razor-sharp sheet metal, weighing up to 20 tonnes, PAINT IT BLACK
are unspooled, cut and stamped into shape. As The atmosphere inside the paint shop is clean
well as simply making sure that the process runs and, in some areas, quieter than you’d expect from
smoothly, there’s always a team of people to check a factory. Here, the chassis is submerged in a long
the panels, smooth out any inconsistencies, and chemical bath that looks like a cross between a car
finish the meticulous work that the machines aren’t wash and a rollercoaster. When it’s dried, it comes
capable of doing themselves. Here’s where we start into a large and brightly lit warehouse for seals
to notice a Volvo way of working known as "Right to be added manually. Finally, it’s painted: both by
from me" – where each worker only hands over fabric-clad airbrush robots and by human hand.
a part or leaves a task when they’re sure that it’s
completed, in its best condition, and ready. The parts
then move on to the body shop with a checkmark
of personal quality control.
ALL TOGETHER NOW
The painted chassis makes its way to the assembly
line and – in one of the factory’s most impressive-
looking sections – is mechanically joined onto the
BODY WORK base of the car at the so-called marriage point. From
Robot welders, automated guided vehicles and here, it’s in the hands of the employees on the line.
mechanical arms bring the parts together into As the car is ferried through the factory, everything
Visiting the Volvo Cars factory in the company’s hometown of completed car bodies. The people who work here from its wheels to its wing mirrors is bolted on. Again,
Gothenburg gives real insight into quality, care, teamwork, training – and carry out detailed tasks like spot welding and robots do some of the heavy work. There’s something
the pride taken in a job well done. We strolled around the production quality control, but the heavy lifting is done by uniquely satisfying about watching a graceful
machine. In this part of the factory each car gets mechanical arm slot a dashboard and windows into
line, explored the Volvo way of working, and found out how the car you
its personality, in the form of the Radio Frequency place in seconds. However, it’s when you see the
love took shape on the conveyor belts.
Identity card that dictates what colour the car crowds of people who dip in and out of this process,
will be and how it will be kitted out. It’s where the checking that everything is secure and perfect,
It was the largest factory in the Nordics when it opened in 1964, but today, the only original
made-to-order feeling that characterises the rest that you understand the sheer amount of care and
features that remain are the outer walls. It’s more than a kilometre long – with a corridor running
of the production line is born. attention that goes into making each car.
the entire length of it – and more than 6,000 people work there. Every day around 1,200 cars roll
out the door and onto the roads, and every single one of them is made to order.
Volvo Cars’ Gothenburg factory is an impressive testament to the power of meticulous planning
and large-scale engineering. Spending a day walking around it gives a very clear impression of
how your car takes shape from a roll of sheet metal and a collection of parts scattered round a few
giant warehouses. But it also tells us a lot about teamwork, training, expertise, and a work culture
that has helped energise the city, giving it one more thing to be really proud of.
In amongst the vast buildings housing the lines and workshops, you’ll find restaurants, cafés,
shops and offices. And, most of all, groups of people. The human touch is extremely important
when making the perfect car. As well as operating machinery and doing the detailed work, the Watching the final checks – where a team of people sit in the seats, run their hands along the lines, check
people who work there are on hand to check and observe the quality of the work and the cars. the rear-view mirror and test the seatbelts – is enough to give a feeling of real anticipation and excitement.
But more than anything else, it gives you the lasting impression that, despite the thousands of robots and
VISIT THE FACTORY Watch our film on the tablet versions of My Volvo Magazine
or on Discover Volvo at volvocars.com/DiscoverVolvo machines that help with the heavy lifting and extreme efficiency, these cars really are made by people.WHERE GRE AT IDE AS HATCH
E I G G : T H E U K ’ S M O S T E C O - F R I E N D LY I S L E
A short distance off the west coast of Scotland, lies the Isle of Eigg. In 1997, The traffic light system lets residents know when any of Eigg Electricity’s to own one. This would reduce the number of cars on the roads and allow them
renewable power sources begin to run low, i.e. when rain, sun or wind is in short to be replaced by a smaller number of low-emission vehicles.
the residents of Eigg purchased the island from the absentee landlord and took
supply. When the island’s electricity team notice one or more of these power As well as encouraging people to share cars and find alternative ways of
their collective future into their own hands. Since then, through a combination of
sources is low, a red symbol is put up on community notice boards and an email getting around, such as cycling, the residents also make their own alternative
innovation and determination, they have transformed the fortunes of a community is sent out to everyone on the island asking them to only use electricity when fuel in the form of biodiesel made from chip-frying oil. This fuel is used to
– and turned Eigg into Britain’s most eco-friendly island. necessary. When the power source has been sufficiently restored, the red symbol run the community vehicles. Not only does it work as well as regular fuel, it is
is replaced by a green one and another email is cheaper and produces no new CO2 emmissions.
The glorious solitude that comes from being cut off from the hustle and bustle of You see, Eigg Electric is no ordinary electricity provider. Not only is it owned, sent informing everyone that everything is back
the mainland… this is what island life is all about. But for the residents of Eigg, managed and maintained by the islanders themselves, it is the first electricity grid to normal. But all this talk of traffic lights raises a “Through innovation A SHINING EIGG-SAMPLE
being cut off has always had a more literal meaning. You see, Eigg has never been in the world powered by a renewable combination of water, wind and sun. In fact, question: where do cars fit in to life on Eigg? Of course, when it comes to finding the most
attached to the UK’s national power grid. So, for many years, if the residents needed everything about Eigg’s electrification project is designed to benefit the island as and determination, eco-friendly way to travel on Eigg, the answer
Eigg has been transformed
electricity they had two choices – make it themselves using diesel generators or much as the islanders – from only using renewable sources of power, to laying all A GREENER WAY OF GETTING AROUND can be found in the island’s most valuable asset:
go without. A simple choice, perhaps, but not exactly a practical or environmentally cables underground so that rows of unsightly electricity pylons don’t spoil Eigg’s Eigg is a small place – the entire island only electricity. Trials have been carried out on Eigg
friendly one. Then, in 2008, something happened that changed life on this little
Scottish island forever.
natural beauty. measures 31 square kilometres – but people
still need to get around. And like most of us,
into Britain’s most in the past using ultra-lightweight electric cars.
Unfortunately, the cars struggled with the rural
EIGG GOES ELECTRIC
ALL PART OF A PLAN the residents of Eigg are doing everything they
can to make sure their cars are as kind to the
eco-friendly island.” roads and rough terrain that led to peoples’ houses.
But now, with advances in hybrid technology, and
Since Eigg Electric began providing clean, reliable electricity to the island almost
In 2008 the local electricity company, Eigg Electric, provided 24-hour power to the a decade ago, a whole host of other smart, green initiatives have sprung up – all environment as possible. the age of fully electric cars closer than ever, it
island for the first time. Not only did this landmark event make island life easier devised and run by the residents themselves. These initiatives include simple yet For a start, only people who actually live on Eigg are allowed to bring their seems it won’t be long till Eigg goes electric once again and becomes an even
almost overnight, it was also the first step on the residents’ journey to tackle the effective ideas, such as using wood instead of coal, composting, and organising cars onto the island. The residents have also looked into starting a car-sharing greener place to visit and live.
island’s CO2 emissions – a journey that would culminate in Eigg being named the “swap shops”, where islanders can donate or swap clothes and household goods club between Eigg and the surrounding islands. This car-sharing scheme would With its strong community spirit, respect for the environment and lust for island
UK’s most eco-friendly island. Quite an achievement for a place with a population they no longer need. But they have also come up with unique initiatives, such as let people book a car via the club just for when they need it, instead of having life, the residents of this little Scottish isle are a shining Eigg-sample to us all.
of just over one hundred. the traffic light system.
29
M Y VO LVO M AG A Z I N E SO M M A RGOING PLACES
volvocars.com ∕ collection.volvocars.com
MAKE IT YOUR OWN
EXTERIOR STYLING KIT
Express yourself with a Volvo XC60 Exterior Styling Kit.
Quality details that highlight just how adventurous, exhilarating
and cool your car is – even when it’s standing still.
1 2 3 4
1. INFANT SEAT € 000 2. REARWARD-FACING CHILD SEAT € 000 3. BOOSTER SEAT € 000 NECK CUSHION € 000
4. BOOSTER SEAT WITH WOOL UPHOLSTERY € 000 Wool textile and nubuck textile.
NAVIGATION SOFTWARE € 000 PARK ASSIST CAMERA, REAR € 000 PARK ASSIST CAMERA, FRONT BLIND VIEW € 000
BICYCLE HOLDER, TOWBAR-MOUNTED € 000 TOWBAR, SEMI ELECTRIC € 000 LOAD CARRIER € 000
TAILGATE SCUFF PLATE, ILLUMINATED € 000 RUNNING BOARDS, ILLUMINATED € 000 COMPLETE WHEEL € 000
22" 10-Open Spoke Black Diamond Cut. The Volvo XC60 Exterior Styling Kit consists of a colour-coordinated rear skid plate, refined, fully integrated exhaust pipes, and a solid front skid plate.
These elements perfectly complement the lines of the car – giving it a bold, expressive and adventurous new style. Here, the kit is shown with an
additional set of 22" 5-spoke Double Spoke Black Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels (not included).
! PLEASE NOTE THAT NOT ALL ACCESSORIES ARE AVAILABLE FOR ALL VOLVO MODELS. CONTACT YOUR LOCAL DEALER
OR VISIT VOLVOCARS.COM TO FIND OUT IF A PARTICULAR ACCESSORY IS AVAILABLE FOR YOUR VOLVO.
30 31
M Y VO LVO M AG A Z I N E SO M M A R M Y VO LVO M AG A Z I N E SO M M A RCO
AST
ST
ORI
ES
T E X T / P H OTO / / M AT T O ´ L E A R Y / M A R C E L PA B S T
33
T H E S TO RYT H E S TO R Y T H E S TO R Y
A
s you drive along a stretch of the E4 And then, if you turn your gaze southeast, you’re THE JOURNEY STARTS… HERE? “Once, I was in Norway, paddling, and I made a short with which he 3D-prints the boats. The result is a
motorway in northeast Sweden, about presented with a remarkable sight – the mountain Our trip to the High Coast first took us to a small film about the experience. I sent this to the maker of the premium custom kayak, made from a sustainable
halfway between Härnösand and falling away, a thin strip of land, a hilly peninsula town on the other side of Sweden. Sysslebäck, in kayaks we were using. Didn’t hear anything back: didn’t material which can be used like plastic but has the
Örnsköldsvik, you’ll see the town of stretching out into the distance, and then, Värmland, isn’t very close to the coast at all. It’s get any response at all. So I explained that friendly characteristics of wood.
Docksta. It’s a small place, with only a few suddenly, the sea. Here and there, you can see on the banks of Klarälven, a broad, meandering customers are critical these days. And they replied, “I wanted to do something completely different –
hundred inhabitants, home to a slipper islands that look like hills dropped into the water. river that stretches all the way down to Vänern, saying they were good craftsmen but didn’t really stepping out of the relatively dirty industry that had
factory and a nice little café where you And on a good day, you might notice something one of Sweden’s giant lakes. But it’s an important know how to communicate with their customers.” been flying under the radar for years. So, I decided to
can get a good plate of pan-fried fish. Next to these, on a else: small, brightly coloured darts moving over pin in the map for us, because it’s here that Pelle “So it clicked. I went down to the factory and said combine sustainability with stylish design to produce
motorway exit marked by a man-sized cutout of a cartoon the surface of the water. Kayaks. It’s one of the Stafshede makes his kayaks. this is what I want to do. This is me. Do you want to something completely different.” Pelle Stafshede shows us a mini
troll, there’s also a tiny collection of houses and streets things people come here for: to paddle across Pelle’s firm, Melker Kayaks, makes beautiful join me on this journey? And after, like, six months, we While in Sysslebäck we borrowed a couple of prototype of one of his 3D-printed
called Berg – the Swedish word for mountain. No prizes the calm waters of the natural fjords, cradled and boats. His designs are influenced by the surf and had an agreement.” kayaks for our trip to the High Coast – and it was sustainable kayaks.
for guessing what this hamlet lies at the foot of. protected from the elements by the steep slopes skate worlds as much as standard boat design. Thus, Melker Kayaks was born. Since then, it’s kept impossible not to get excited about what we’d find
It’s worth climbing up to the top of this little all around them. A lifelong kayaker and outdoors enthusiast, he Pelle busy. When we met, he had just returned from a there, once we saw Pelle’s eyes light up.
mountain, called Skuleberget. You pick your way This place is paradise for anyone with a passion explained how he started the company. road trip to Germany, where he’d accepted an award “Cold water, hot sun. It’s a completely different
through a band of thick pine woodland, clambering for the outdoors. It’s so beautiful, striking and “Kayaking, for me, is a way to get your energy for his kayaks – the Coolest Gear of the Show prize experience when you go up north. Having the
over mossy rocks. Halfway up, the trees thin out and unique that it’s been designated as a UNESCO back – it’s about being full of life, and achieving at PADDLEexpo in Nuremberg. That day, he’d also ability to go kayaking on a cold-water lake, but still
the small rocks give way to bare boulders, forming World Heritage Site – one of only two in the something outdoors. As I got older, the spinning launched a line of bamboo longboards. having the sun really hot in your face. To see the
ledges and crags. The hillside is dotted with bilberry country. We’ve come here to learn more about the wheel of money and career became less interesting His new vision is to scan and measure the shape fog slowly lifting from the sea. It’s amazing. It’s not
and lingonberry bushes, as well as clusters of unreal- area, to paddle our kayaks, and find out first-hand to me. Being out, meeting people, being in nature … and size of every individual customer he gets and that exploited either – you don’t have to go far from
looking fly agaric mushrooms. Shimmering pools of what makes it so unique. Welcome to Höga Kusten it all made me think, what do I want to do when then digitally design a kayak that’s precisely weighted big cities to find a forest, or a place to hike, to
water catch the light. It’s a bit like being on a film set or – the High Coast of Sweden. I get old?” and balanced for them. He’s also created a filament kayak, to get your energy back. It’s easy to free
in a picture from a children’s fairy tale. made from waste wood and cornstarch-based plastic your spirit around there.”T H E S TO R Y
OCEAN DEEP, MOUNTAIN HIGH
With that, we left Sysslebäck and travelled across
the country to Docksta. We took the kayaks to a
place called Friluftsbyn, at the foot of the little
mountain. Friluftsbyn – the Outdoor Village – is
a camp for outdoors enthusiasts, run by Jerry
Engström. Jerry and his partner Eva, who works
with local food and countryside development, are
our hosts for the trip and great ambassadors for “If there’s anywhere like the
the region: enthusiastically describing all of the
local delicacies, from prizewinning gin to the best High Coast anywhere else in the
foraged ingredients. They also know every inch of
the coastline, telling us where to explore, where
centuries-old lichen, giving them a unique green
marbled tone. These rock beds are also framed
To the east, you’ll see the island of Ulvön, another
great place for hikes.
world, I haven’t seen it yet.”
to hike, where to eat – and, of course, where by stretches of mountainside covered with pillowy Ulvön is also famous for being the home of a PELLE STAFSHEDE
to paddle. mosses and rich green bushes. It’s beautiful and delicacy called surströmming – fermented herring
Jerry and Eva took us to a high vantage point distinctive – a striking, quiet, dream-like place. in a can. Surströmming is what you might call an
called Högklinten, located a kilometre or so From the top you get a magnificent view of your acquired taste. It has a powerful and unique stench,
inland. Here, if you park your car near the bottom surroundings. Look north, and you’ll see two things and because of this it’s recommended that you open
of a hill and stroll up to the summit, you’ll discover that immediately stand out – the dense forest of the bulging can outside, underwater or deep in the
something very strange – a 9,000-year-old stony Skuleskogen national park, and the mountain forest, far away from human habitation. But it tastes
beach a couple of hundred metres above sea island of Mjältön. Mjälton is the highest island in good, dotted onto a flatbread with onion, potato,
level. The rocks that cover Högklinten’s slopes Sweden, with a summit that’s further above sea cheese and sour cream.
are weathered smooth but also encrusted with level than the whole of Denmark.
TAKE A TRIP TO THE HIGH COAST
Watch our film on the tablet versions of My Volvo Magazine
36
M Y VO LVO M AG A Z I N E SO M M A RYou can also read
