Discussion: Simon Reeve Discusses His New Scandinavian Series and the Mystery Behind Nordic Happiness
Scandinavia and Beyond: A Misunderstood Region of Prosperity and Surprises
When promoting his series, renowned British journalist Simon Reeve encountered confusion over the geographical and political boundaries of Scandinavia. While it is commonly thought of as encompassing Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, these countries are part of the broader Nordic region, which also includes Finland and Iceland.
This misconception exemplifies the widespread lack of knowledge about the Scandinavian and larger Nordic region, a phenomenon that Reeve sought to address through his series. Despite being home to some of the happiest and most successful societies in the world, the region often remains a mystery to many.
Part of the reason for this ignorance, according to Reeve, is that the Scandinavian countries are not as showy or boastful as other regions, particularly the United States. Moreover, they have not received the same level of coverage in the British media, leading to a knowledge gap.
So, what does the average British viewer stand to learn from the series? Reeve expressed the belief that audiences will find the criminal gang situation in Sweden and the unique quirks of each Nordic country, such as the immense fish farms off the coast of Norway, the Santa theme parks nestled inside Finnish nuclear bunkers, and the stunning volcano in Iceland, the size of Paris, to be particularly surprising.
While the series does touch upon challenging topics, such as the rise of crime in certain parts of Sweden and controversial immigration policies in Denmark, Reeve emphasized that it is not all rosy in the Scandinavian region. Nevertheless, he highlighted its strong sense of community, trust, and engagement with nature as key contributors to the region's overall happiness and success.
One of Reeve's favorite discoveries during his journey was the Lofoten Islands in Norway, with their breathtaking scenery and abundance of wildlife. He expressed hope of returning at some point with his family to explore the region further.
In addition to the natural beauty of the Lofoten Islands, Reeve was particularly moved by an honesty shop he encountered in a Norwegian town. The shop, which left thousands of pounds worth of plants and flowers outside for customers to purchase using a QR code, was a testament to the regional culture of trust and community engagement.
The series, Scandinavia with Simon Reeve, is currently available on BBC iPlayer. New episodes air this Sunday, May 25 and June 1. As Reeve suggests, the series offers viewers a chance to explore a region often misunderstood and underrated, full of surprises and opportunities for growth.
The series, Scandinavia with Simon Reeve, allows viewers to delve into the unique cultural-travel opportunities found in the Scandinavian and Nordic region, including the distinct quirks of each country, such as Iceland's volcano the size of Paris or the Finnish nuclear bunker-turned-Santa theme parks. Simultaneously, the show exposes viewers to challenging topics like the rise of crime in Sweden and Denmark's controversial immigration policies, offering a balanced insight into the region's lifestyle.
