Rikke
Lunnemann

Which place do you currently call home and where do you work on your projects?

I live just outside Svendborg in the southern part of Denmark. I also have my studio in Svendborg with a view to the sea, beach and forest and the South Fyn Archipelago. Svendborg is a smaller city located by the sea and is the first Danish city to obtain Cittaslow certification.

Do you have a favourite place in your area where you like to relax and linger?

I often go for a walk by the beach and in the forest close to where I live. The views from there are absolutely stunning. During spring, I enjoy when the forest bed is covered with white anemone and later in summer, with the shades of the large trees. The ocean is right next to the forest and from here you can enjoy the view towards the smaller islands like Ærø, Skarø, Drejø and many more. This is a lovely way to relax and also a fantastic way to get inspiration.

Are there any urgent political issues or problems in your region?

In Denmark, like in many other countries, we are very concerned by the biodiversity loss and climate change crisis. In my region, we especially see the human-made problems in the suffering of the marine life due to lack of oxygen in the oceans around Fyn and the islands. We really need to take better care of the planet!

In your opinion, what has developed well in the last 5 years—and what has not?

The municipalities of Svendborg, Faaborg-Midtfyn, Langeland, and Ærø established Geopark South Fyn Archipelago. The South Fyn Archipelago comprises more than 55 larger and smaller islands and is a designated Geosite of outstanding international scientific and geological value.

It is the story of how the ice during the ice age created a unique landscape that has defined the area’s nature and culture for more than 10,000 years and it encompasses 2,733 km2, including 1,304 km2 of sea territory and has a total coastline of 551 km.

You can go hiking, cycling, mountain biking, horseback riding, sailing, paddleboarding, fishing or diving. You can spend the night in outdoor shelters or enjoy a taste of delicious local produce, as well as local art and music.

Svendborg used to be known for its speciality retail shops. A lot of which were small special shops and not the national and international chains you see everywhere in the western world. Small shops with unique products—like craft, specialty food and wine shops, toys, clothing etc. But during and after the Corona pandemic, the retail in Svendborg has suffered immensely and has not been able to recover. Unfortunately resulting in a lot of these shops have had to close. This is a big loss for Svendborg and the surrounding areas.

Do you know a hidden gem when it comes to local manufacturers—whether it’s arts and crafts, sustainable products or food?

Skarø Is (Ice cream) is made on the small island Skarø in the South Funen archipelago not far from where I live. Skarø Ice Cream is a pure, natural product, and it is, as far as possible, made with the island’s ingredients including birch sap and sugar seaweed. The ice cream is thus organic and completely without additives. And it is absolute delicious!

I can recommend the Liquorice ice cream, the Mocca, the Mango sorbet, The Singapore Sling …. well actually—all of them!

Is there anything particularly innovative in your region? Also in comparison to other places you have already visited?

The public schools in Svendborg have been part of an important study over the last decade. A large group of school children was offered minimum one hour of physical activity every school day and they were followed closely by scientists to see what this did to their health. This was called the Svendborg Project and was the biggest study of its kind.

This project resulted in a new way of thinking physical activity in Svendborg’s schools and has resulted in a blooming of new kinds of physical activities and sports for everybody in the area. Investments in maintenance and renovation of existing sports facilities, playgrounds and recreational areas to provide safe and enjoyable spaces for sports and leisure activities. New initiatives including organising sports events, tournaments, and competitions to showcase local talent, has fostered a sense of community spirit, and also attracted visitors to Svendborg. Whether it’s a neighbourhood football tournament or a regional mountain bike race, these events offer opportunities for residents to come together and celebrate the power of sports.

Svendborg now has a newly build sport and gymnastic centre offering all from baby gymnastics to various kinds of senior sports. Then to mention a few the city has the best men’s handball team in Denmark, one of the best basketball teams, a top mountain bike trail (Skovhuggeren), a top modern gymnastic centre, tracking routes with shelters in the beautiful nature of South Fyn have been made, and even an old Ærø ferry was cleaned and dropped to the button of the sea as a reef for divers to visit. And a brand new multi arena are expected to be opened later this year—all this is very special and unique for Svendborg.

Do you have a secret restaurant tip that you would like to share with us?

Salig Simons Gaard is beautifully located in an authentic courtyard in the middle of Svendborg in an old original half-timbered house from the 17th century and the food they serve is delicious and very well-presented. This restaurant is one of Svendborg’s hidden gems as you need to know about it to be able to find it.

Is there a local shop whose products are only available in your region?

Dina Vejling presents a wide range of Denmark’s most talented artisans in ceramics, home textiles, precious metal jewelry and glass and it is both a gallery and beautiful shop. Both are really worth a visit.

The owner visits the artists in their workshops all around Denmark and brings arts and crafts back to her shop in Odense and therefore she knows all the stories behind the pieces she shows and sells in the shop.

The shop is located in Brandts Passage next to the Art Museeum Brandst in the middle of Odense’s Latin Quarter with the cultural environment in the historic factory buildings.

What are your 3 favourite apps that you use every day and couldn’t live without?

I use the Camera and Photo app every day as I love to take photos mostly as inspiration for the jewellery I make. Then I use the Saxo app which is a heaven for book lovers. I love listening to books while making my jewellery in my studio. For my creative business I use Instagram as this app is a good way for me to be in dialog with and to show my followers my work in an aesthetic and beautiful way.

Do you have any favourite newspapers or online magazines? And how do you keep up to date with politics or social and cultural issues?

I read various Danish newspapers—both local and national to get information about political, social, and cultural news. For information on Arts and craft I read Art Aurea Magazine which is a very interesting and beautiful magazine. I also enjoy reading the articles on craftmanship on Homofaber.

Imagine you could be mayor for a year—what would you change?

I would set up a center for Crafts in Svendborg. By providing affordable studio space and in-house business support to talented makers I would give makers a tool to build their business so they can focus on what they do best—which is making arts and crafts. The house would be where fellow makers and makers from all different kinds of arts and crafts meet and work together making creative synergies. The Craft House would have open studios which would make a unique opportunity for everyone to meet and buy directly from the maker’s own studio and to source one-of-a-kind gifts that are produced locally.

One last question: If you could choose another place to live—regardless of financial or time constrains—which one would you choose?

I would really like to live in Asia—in either Japan or in South Korea. I have—years ago—lived in Chicago in US and later in London in England, but I have never lived in a big city in Asia. I have been travelling in Japan and South Korea and Tokyo and Seoul are very interesting, hectic, and inspiring cities. The culture, the architecture, the people, and the craft scene have really drawn my attention so living there for some time would be very exciting.