Where do our names come from? As most of you know, Fjällräven is the Swedish word for Arctic Fox. (Fjäll = Mountain; Räven = Fox)
ButFjällräven isn't the only Swedish word we use in our day to day working for Fjällräven. Below you will find the tools to offer our customers a deeper insight into the meaning behind our products and events.
NATIONAL PARKS
Abisko - Abisko National Park is located in the Swedish Lappland and the name comes from the Northern Sami word Åbeskovvu. It translates to the forest by the big lake. This is in reference to the seventh-largest lake in Sweden, Torneträsk. It's a beautiful place known for its wildlife as well as the opportunity to spot the midnight sun during the summer, as well as the northern lights during winter.
Sarek - Six out of the thirteen tallest mountains in Sweden are located in the Sarek National Park. It’s unknown where the name Sarek comes from, but this high alpine has been the home to the Sami for as long as anyone can remember. Their reindeer have this beautiful park as their pasture and have made their own imprint through paths passed on through generations. It's said that to walk through Sarek is to walk through Sweden's geological history.
MOUNTAINS
Kaipak - This is a mountain located quite close to the mountain station by Kebnekaise. It's 773m high and known to be quite easy trek as long as you have the weather on your side
Kaitum - The Kaitum river is 150 km long and passes by the little Kaitum village. The river has its water source west of Kebnekaise.
Keb - Named after Sweden's tallest mountain, Kebnekaise. It is located in Kiruna County and has two peaks. The name comes from two different Lulesami words; giebnne, meaning kettle, and gajsse, which means tall and pointy mountain top.
COUNTIES
Lappland - Lappland County is not only Sweden's largest county, but also the most northern. It borders both Norway and Finland and creates a tripoint. Lappland makes up a quarter of Sweden's landmass and is sometimes referred to as Europe's last wilderness.
Sörmland - Södermanland is the county where Sweden's capital city of Stockholm is located. It is also known as Sörmland, and comes from the words "southern men", which is what the group of people that inhabited the southern part below the Mälaren (Sweden's third largest lake) were referred to as back in the days.
Varmland - Värmland County borders Norway and is known for its historic artifacts. There are 5,500 historical remains preserved that you can explore during your hikes. Once again, it's named after people living there, and this time it references the river Vaerma, which was known for never freezing.
OTHER
Allemansratten - The Right to Roam, this gives people to right to move freely in Swedish nature. It gives you the right to take a walk, go kayaking, climb a mountain or just sit down on a rock. In return, everybody shows respect to nature and wildlife while trying not to disturb them as well as the owner of the land.
Fika - It's a concept, a state of mind, and an important part of Swedish culture. For many Swedes, it's an essential part of their every day incorporated into both their professional and personal life.
High Coast - This is one of the UNESCO sites in Sweden known for its beautiful scenic views, seascape, and distinctly red granite cliffs and rocks. In its center, you will find the Skuleskogen National Park and the Skule Mountain. The Skule Mountain is a well-known landmark, mostly known for its round cave on the east side. Rumors claim that this was the hiding spot for the Skule robbers that were roaming that area.
Kungsleden - The King's trail, this hiking trail is the longest hiking trail in Sweden, roughly 400km long, and was created in the early 1900s. During this hike, you will wander through four national parks: Abisko, Stora Sjöfallet, Sarek, and Pieljekaise. By doing so, you will get the opportunity to walk through some of Sweden's most beautiful mountain landscape which is filled with gorgeous lakes, mountain tops, and little mountain villages.
St. Lucia (Dec 13th)- The Lucia celebrations represent one of the foremost cultural traditions in Sweden, with their clear reference to life in the peasant communities of old: darkness and light, cold and warmth. Lucia is an ancient mythical figure with an abiding role as a bearer of light in the dark Swedish winters, often traced back to the martyr St Lucia of Syracuse. In the old almanac, Lucia Night was the longest night of the year, a dangerous night when supernatural beings were abroad, and all animals could speak. In addition to a Lucia dressed in white with light in her hair alongside her choir, the Lucia celebrations also include ginger snaps and sweet, saffron-flavored buns (lussekatter). You eat them with Swedish mulled wine (glögg) or coffee.
Midsommar - Midsummer Eve is always a Friday between 19 and 25 June. People often begin the day by picking flowers and making wreaths to place on the maypole and flower crowns. A typical Midsummer menu features different kinds of pickled herring, boiled potatoes with fresh dill, soured cream, and chives. This is often followed by a grilled dish and for dessert the first strawberries of summer, with cream. The traditional accompaniment is a cold beer and aquavit, preferably spiced. Every time the glasses are refilled, singing breaks out, Swedes like drinking songs.
Midsummer Night is the lightest of the year and was long considered a magical night, as it was the best time for telling people's futures.
Örnsköldsvik - Located in the High Coast and roughly five hours above Stockholm, Örnsköldsvik is known for its unique and beautiful archipelago. There are lots of beautiful parks to explore so if you love the outdoors, you won't be bored here. (Övik is the nickname for Örnsköldsvik.)
GLOSSARY
BARENTS - BARENTS SEA IS A MARGINAL SEA OF THE ARCTIC SEA
BERGEN - MOUNTAINS
BERGTAGEN - A WORD ONCE USED TO WARN PEOPLE AWAY FROM MOUNTAINS. BUT NOW IT'S USED TO DESCRIBE THE OBSESSION FOR BEING AMONG NATURE'S GIANTS
FJALLGLIM - MOSS CAMPION, A MOUNTAIN-DWELLING WILDFLOWER COMMON IN HIGH ARCTIC AND TUNDRA
FRILUFT- FRILUFTLIV IS A WORD THAT ENCOMPASSES ALL THE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES GRANIT - GRANITE, WHICH IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON ROCK TYPES IN SWEDEN KÅNKEN - ITS A PLAY ON WORD K ANKA WHICH MEANS LUGGING
KAJKA - DRIFTING AIMLESSLY
KIRUNA- THE NORTHERNMOST TOWN IN SWEDEN, LOCATED IN LAPPLAND
KYLA- COLD
LADA-BARN
LUHKKA-WORD FROM THE SAMI LANGUAGE THAT LOOSELY TRANSLATES TO “STORM COLLAR"
NORRVÅGE - A CITY IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF ORNSKOLDSVIK
NUUK - GREENLAND'S LARGEST CITY
SINGI -SINGI IS A HUT IN NORRBOTTEN COUNTY. IT LIES ON THE TREKKING AND SKI TOUR ROUTE KUNGSLEDEN
SKOGSÖ - FOREST ISLAND
SKOG - FOREST
STEN - MALE NAME BUT ALSO MEANS ROCK
STINA - FEMALE NAME
STUBBEN - WOODEN STUMP
ULVÖ - ULVOARNA ARE TWO ISLANDS LOCATED IN THE HIGH COAST
VARDAG -WEEKDAY/ EVERYDAY LIFE
VIDDA - NORWEIGAN FOR PLATEAU
