Imagine yourself after a long and hot day rumbling around in the desert coming home to a Nordic paradise. A birch covered bar/dining desk and a sweet bartender serving you probably the best cold-brew coffee that you have ever tasted in your life, asking you what kind of “Fika” you would like to have, showing you to a table in a café. At the table you meet a perfect stranger asking you silly questions about the weather (a nordic thing to do) with a twinkle-in-the-eye and you laugh and relax.
While you sit there small talking to a stranger you notice the interior: it feels like being on a mountain far north, there are some reindeers and while the darkness falls the northern light starts flickering into the ceiling of the enclosed space. A new person enters and asks you how your day has been? They just came from the playa and found the space by following the Northern Light projected above the camp “this must be Nordic Paradise”.
The same person asks you if you are joining the Queer viking party here tomorrow by sunset? “Sure”, you say. “But what is a queer viking?” The bartender leans forward – “my friend, we are gonna dress like the historical vikings with a modern twist. To us, queer is an inclusive term where all gender identities are included. At this party gender is unimportant. You may identify as a man and still dress up in traditional woman clothing – or not dress up – the point is that we do not care. Simply “Queer” the Nordic way – where gender identity is no longer the foundation of your self-expression”, they answer. You nod, the party sounds inclusive and colourful, you feel welcome and will be looking forward to different stations with activities, great dancing music, playful vibes and lots of fun.
Our camp theme and the concept “Nordic Paradise” will be realised through different sub-concepts, ideas and overall visions:
A Northern Wonderland. An open shade structure with 4 poles in the middle followed by two scaffolding towers on the entry of public space served as door and used also for camp light art installation – and playful space – with reindeers, elks, birch themed wallpaper, green lighting (northern light) and even more northern light in the ceiling. A place to relax, meet and chill out with camp members.
Northern Light. We dream of an art project which imitates aurora borealis (or northern lights), achieved through a light installation illuminating the ceiling, or above the sky over our camp. Follow the northern lights and find your way to our nordic paradise.
Coffee/Cold-brew. We would like to offer something cold and refreshing to passers by. We drink a lot of coffee in the Nordics, so we would like to gift cold brew or iced coffee. Throw a dice or spin the coffee wheel, and find out which nordic variation of cold-brew you will receive. The manner through which the coffee will be served will evolve throughout the burn.
Fika. We would also love to invite burners to “Fika” with us, a Nordic concept that is about having a moment with someone over coffee and something sweet, often quite ordered, usually during the afternoon. We dream of gifting cinnamon buns to the playa. And why not talk about the weather?
Nordic folklore tribute party – calling all mythical creatures! Join us in our Nordic Paradise for a sunset-time-party where we go back to our roots, releasing our inner creatures, transforming into mythical beings of Nordic folklore. Fairies, elfs, animals and other mythical beings, all gathering at once!
Through an invigorating opening ceremony we offer all guests a magic potion, full of energizing, non-intoxicating ingredients that will help you find your inner essence and bring you the energy to dance through the night. This is followed by an ecstatic dance session where you are invited to let go of all inhibitions and get in touch with your body. The dance journey goes from slow and quiet to wild and playful, leading up to an inner release. Thereafter transitioning into a night full of dance and joy. As dusk falls and the dark of the night surrounds us, let yourself be captivated by the Nordic Lights dancing in the sky above you.
A queer Viking party, the Nordic way. Historians suggest that queerness and gender fluidity was present already during the Viking Age, inspired by the Northern mythology but with a playful and modern flavour, we are throwing a queer Viking daytime-party. A horde of beautiful, open-minded Nordic Vikings ready to party will greet you as you enter the Nordic Paradise. Here everyone is encouraged to be just as flexible, fluid and colorful as they would like to be!
Not only will there be traditional games and festive activities from the old Nordic traditions like Toga Honk, rune writing and reading of old tales and Northern stories, but also ceremonial rituals including the possibility of being wed in true Viking style. Of course, the bar will also be open and funky northern base and tunes will be playing – all you need to get into the mood for some playful, hedonistic dancing!
Workshops. We will create a Nordic Paradise play space where we will host daytime workshops open for all. We are a social and open camp where the activities will invite you to connect with others and yourself as well as activating your body and mind.
Swedish Spanking Police. The Swedish Spanking Police has for years kept the order in Nordic Burns. We patrol the streets looking for MOOP:ers, and people come to us to report camp-mates and sometimes themselves for missing shifts or similar acts of negligence. Justice is handed out swiftly on the spot, and the Nordic Camp will facilitate a tip-off-box where visitors can tip-off the Swedish Spanking Police of MOOP:ers or shift-missers.