A Swedish television show has struck a chord with viewers and audience members who, for almost 40 years, have been turning on, tuning in and belting out the ballads.
Ruben Östlund couldn’t create his idiosyncratic – and award-winning – films without his trusted team. From make-up artist to sound engineer, they’re the backbone of the creative process.
With increased violence and worsening segregation in her city, the past two years have not been easy for Karin Wanngård. But the mayor of Stockholm is leading the charge against crime and inequality – and shows no signs of…
We meet the makers and painters continuing the aesthetic legacy of their cities, creating and preserving signs with gold leaf, ochre-white paint and neon tubes.
With a radical vision for the future of residential architecture, property developer Folkhem is building Sweden’s tallest wooden high-rises. The apartment blocks are chic, eco-friendly and quick to construct; they smell…
Navigating ‘Boat Finland’ through troubled waters and a forthcoming election next April are top of the agenda for the leader of a country increasingly having to keep an eye on noisy neighbour Russia.
What lies beneath the surface of Greenland could bring enormous wealth to the island. But it threatens both the traditional way of life and the centuries-old link to Denmark.
Oslo’s art scene has been getting a much-needed facelift with the opening of independent galleries and a brand new art neighbourhood in the making. We stopped by the studio of big-time art rebel and writer Matias Faldbakken…
Finland’s icebreakers are crucial for keeping the Baltic Sea navigable and its ports open. Captain Tommy Berg is at the helm of the MSV Fennica. He says keeping the ship on the right course is ultimately a team effort.
Getting old is inevitable but providing for people when they do is too often skirted. Monocle has tracked down those making a difference and showing up the authorities in the process.
Stockholm-based SIPRI is one of the world’s leading military thinktanks, advising governments all over the world. Yet behind its success is a uniquely Swedish approach.
Traditionally the favourite of academics and young families, Kungsholmen runs as a small town within Stockholm. For decades it’s been a neighbourhood waiting to be discovered, but now the young creatives and entrepreneurs…
Stockholm’s Svenskt Tenn has had its one and only homewares shop at the same location for 84 years. As Monocle discovers, a redesign of the iconic store hasn’t lost any of the homely charm of the firm’s idiosyncratic fou…
Carl Bildt represents a small country involved in most key international issues. Since becoming foreign minister in 2006, Sweden has participated in the Nato-led operations in Afghanistan and Libya, acted as the president…
In October TV4-Gruppen will launch the only 24-hour news channel in Sweden, headed by Göran Ellung, news and current affairs director of programmes at the main network. It’s hoped it’ll draw in an audience of news-hungry…
Denmark, Sweden and Finland boast institutions devoted to seeking design-led solutions to societal problems. Are they guiding stars for the world to follow?
As Nokia takes part of its software development abroad, a new generation of Finnish entrepreneurs is waiting to fill the gap – as long as they get the chance.
What are the essential elements that make a great manager? In the first of a series profiling the management styles of key figures, Monocle gets an insight from Eva Hamilton, head of Swedish public service broadcaster SVT…
