Scandinavian Culture Calendar: April 2022

ARS22: Living encounters (8 April to 16 October)

ARS22, a major exhibition of contemporary art, opens the extensively renovated Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma at the heart of Helsinki. The exhibition, which takes over the entire building designed by the American architect Steven Holl, showcases the latest trends in contemporary art as well as a number of pieces put together for this particular exhibition. Themes explored include nature and technology.

Mannerheiminaukio 2, Helsinki

kiasma.fi

Piedra Quemada by Donna Huanca, whose work is exhibited as part of the ARS22: Living encounters exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma. Photo: Johannes Stoll and Elsa Kostic

SPOT festival (6 to 7 May)

SPOT 2022 is taking over Aarhus, presenting a line-up of acts that is bound to make you want to tap your feet and raise your arms in the air. Whether your jam is house, punk or hip-hop, you will find something to enjoy here. There will also be six bands from the Future Sound, a talent development project for young bands between the ages of 15 and 25, so keep your ears open for emerging talent!

Locations around Aarhus

spotfestival.dk

Vinyl Café (5 and 19 May)

There’s no cosier way to spend a Thursday evening than listening to vinyls together over a cup of coffee. Make your way to the Reykjavik City Library’s Grófin building and dive deep into its collection of vinyls with a group of other music enthusiasts — or bring your own records with you.

Tryggvagata 15, Reykjavik

borgarbokasafn.is

Barbro Östlihn: New York Imprint (until 25 September)

Barbro Östlihn (1930-1995) was one of Sweden’s most interesting post-war artists. Spending time in 1960s New York, Östlihn was acquainted with and inspired by pop artists such as Roy Lichtenstein. Over 40 of her colourful, abstract paintings are on display at the Gothenburg Museum of Art.

Götaplatsen, Gothenburg

goteborgskonstmuseum.se

Royal Pavilion by Barbro Östlihn. Photo: Hossein Sehatlou

The coloured truth – Art crime in Finland (until 16 December 2023)

Combine culture and sleuthing by visiting the National Police Museum located in Tampere, Finland’s second city. The exhibition looks into the many aspects of art crime and includes genuine forged artworks that have been confiscated by the police. You will also get tips on how to spot a fake Picasso from the real deal.

Vaajakatu 2, Tampere

poliisimuseo.fi

From the exhibition The coloured truth. Photo: Jarkko Järvinen

Sustainably powered fjord cruise

Up and down Norwegian fjords on battery power? This is no longer a pipe dream. Step onboard the vessels Vision and Future of the Fjords, which are respectively hybrid and fully-electric, and let your eyes rest on the breathtaking scenery of mountains, waterfalls and villages north-east of Bergen. The trip, between Flåm and Gudvangen, takes around two hours one way.

norwaysbest.com

Fjord Cruise Nærøyfjord. Photo: Sverre Hjornevik

Holmenkollen Ski Museum

It might be spring, but that doesn’t mean you must say goodbye to winter sports. Head to the iconic Holmenkollen, which has been at the heart of Norwegian skiing for more than a century: the first ski-jumping competition there took place in 1892. At 21.5 metres, its longest jump has since been overtaken by the current record of 144 metres. The museum features skis from 600 AD, a Polar exhibition and an interactive area for children.

Kongeveien 5, Oslo

visitoslo.com