The Northern Rose - A Kingdom of Well Being
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In late 2009 the neighbors and tennis partners, Jan Friman and Per Sundberg, thought it was time share the well hidden treasure and story of The Northern Rose - A Kingdom of Well Being.

The title describes an ancient region were people through the centuries have learned to live in peace and harmony, based on the Buddhist philosophy. The tribal people from this region have at the same time developed a unique sense of maintaining a delicate balance with nature.

To inspire people and visitors, contributing and spreading knowledge about this precious lifestyle in todays fast evolving society, they decided to start a common publishing project and business venture: The Northern Rose - A Kingdom of Well Being.

The project aims to awaken and grow travelers and peoples interest in South East Asian culture, to investigate and publish stories on the development of the Lanna region in Northern Thailand, Laos and Myanmar.

Bios:
Jan Friman, 45, is an experienced photo journalist, project manager and management consultant from Stockholm, Sweden.

Jan started his career as a Freelance photographer back in the mid 1980's, after photographic studies in Rome. In the early 1990's he ventured into the art business and trade, starting his own contemporary art gallery. He also began his studies of Art Science in the University of Stockholm.

Jan carried out photographic assignments companies like Inter IKEA Brussels, Gourmet, Dagens Nyheter, Norstedts, Elle interior and Charlotte Lund Gallery.

In the mid 1990's Jan got assignments as a assistant art director, creative director and project manager for several national and international advertising agencies like Producenterna, Intellecta, Young and Rubicam and Wognum. Working with clients like Posten, Scania, Ericsson Mobile Europe and Nordea.

Early 2001 Jan got recruited by a Swedish IT company (Kentor), working as a management consultant for companies Ericsson Business Innovation, Com Hem and LRF.

In 2004 Jan decided it was time to leave the Swedish capital, settling in the beautiful region of Dalarna in north of Sweden. There Jan started a successful regional innovation project, financed by the Swedish Government (NUTEK) for small businesses called "Företagsdialogen"/"The Corporate Dialogue" working as its project manager for 3 years.

After meeting his lovely wife Thanya on a holiday trip to the northern regions of Thailand, Jan decided to settle in Chiang mai, Thailand in late 2007.

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Per Sundberg, 36, from Jönköping, Sweden, has been hosting Scandinavan visitors in the Asian region for more then ten years. He is working for the acclaimed Swedish culture & adventure tour agency TEMA Resor.

Per has a university background with studies in Humanities such as History, Religion, Philosophy and Literature and started the Asian experience as a teacher in Taiwan 1995.

Apart from Taiwan, Per has lived in Japan, China and finally settled in Chiang Mai, Thailand, with his lovely thai wife Tak and their son Alexander.

During the years Per has developed a great understanding of the cultures and the people in the region. He is also working part time writing short travel stories for travel magazines.

The last 4 years Per shared his views on Asia in a much appreciated blog, "Fotavtryck i Asien"/"Foot prints in Asia" (in swedish) for people with a keen interest in Asia.
www.fotavtryckiasien.com

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The Northern Rose Developers Blog

Introducing The Authors Uncut on The Northern Rose Developers Blog

Here you will be able to check out "behind-the-scene" stories and get some glimpses of upcoming blog posts and articles being produced for thenorthernrose.asia - You will meet some Lanna-feel-good people, you'll get notified of interesting upcoming events and we will share tips and recommendations about special places and destinations.
We also plan to showcase and offer uniquely crafted products and art from the region.

You are hereby warmly invited to join the TNR Web Eco System at these following web spaces:

✎ We will add further links and content to this list as the network develop

If you have any questions or maybe even wish The Northern Rose to host your experience while visiting the Chiang mai-region then please don't hesitate to contact us at thenorthernrose@gmail.com and we will provide you with our best recommendations.

^JF

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Filed under  //  blogging   Chiang Mai   Events & Happenings   Thailand   Travel  
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Posted 2 months ago by Authors Friman | Sundberg 

Be Cool in Thailand, Go North!

After the merit making for 10.000 Buddhist monks, the street of Nimmanhemin in Chiang Mai has been hosting two larger events.  The first one was NAP (Nimman Street Art and Promenade จัดงานที่นิมมานเหมิ) which took place between 5-9th December on soi 1- the soi of design and contemporary art. Just as the name say, this was an opportunity for designers and artists to show their work. Closing the street for traffic turned soi 1 in to a "pedestrian paradise". 

 


Then to be in phase with the climate conference in Copenhagen, Think Green (10-13th December) –  an initiative to promote the future of environmental friendly Lanna architecture, took place opposite Amari hotel. It seems that by focusing on the traditional Lanna type of house much can be won in terms of green housing. The event also put some focus on rediscovering bamboo- the plant of life.

 


However, Nimmanhemin is primarily a place to go people watching. December is the time when Thai people go north, it seems hugely important for some Bangkokians to show up at trendy places and coffeeshops (such as Wavee coffee) in winter clothes at this time of the year.


Text: ^PS & Photo: ^JF

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Filed under  //  Chiang Mai   Events & Happenings   Festivals   Thailand   tourism   Travel  
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Posted 2 months ago by Authors Friman | Sundberg 

6.09, Magical Lanna mornings - When 10.000 monks appeared in Chiang Mai

Saturday 28th November, at 6.09 in the morning, busload after busload with saffron colored monks are entering Nimmanhemin Rd in Chiang Mai.
 
According to the organisers 10.000 monks from different parts of Thailand, Burma and Laos are participating in this form of meritmaking, or Thambon. This is the term for merit making and function like a kind of religious bridge between the layman and the monks, who are the reservoirs of merit that the laymen morally can benefit from. Except from the benefit of meritmaking itself, money and food donations are also given for various benefitting purposes.

I have always been impressed by the large number of monks walking through Mae Hong Son or Luang Prabang in Laos at dawn.
This, event was however of an entirely different magnitude. The sidewalk full of people waiting to pay respect to the monks, many of them dressed in white holding the buddhist symbol of a lotus between their hands. The monks in their turn are taking pictures themselves and the event. They seem to be enjoying themselves while preparing their walk through Nimmanhemin.
 
This amazing event is a kick off for a lot of happenings that will take place in Nimmanhemin area and other areas in December.
December is the month when Nimmanhemin really comes alive with jazz afternoons and “walking streets”. There is also the Royal flower show in Ratchapreuk Gardens starting on the 1:st of December running all through the 10:th of December.

Thenorthernrose.asia will of course make an effort to envision these illustrious events. We warmly welcome you to join us in some of the most colorful events in Chiang mai.

Text and Photo: ^PS

 

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Filed under  //  buddhism   Chiang Mai   Events & Happenings   History   Nimmanhemin   religion   Thailand   Travel  
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Posted 3 months ago by Authors Friman | Sundberg 

EU Film Festival in Chiang Mai 2009

Every year the EU film festival is held in Chiang Mai. Sweden currently holds the chairmanship of EU, therefore this year the event will start with the Swedish movie ZOZO at the 5th of November, Vista Kadsuankaew. That is only on invitation, but the same movie can be viewed on Sunday 8th November.The real schedule starts on the 6th of November.

For more information contact Khun Kobkul Ratchakitti

Tel:  02 305 2600 ext 2646 / 02 305 2646 or at kobkul.ratchakitti@ec.europa.eu

Vista Telephone: 053 894-415

The festival lasts until 15th of November at 4th Floor of Kadsuankaew Shopping Center. 

 

^PS

 

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Here is the official schedule from the Delegation of the European Union Commission

EU Film Festival at Vista Kadsuankaew 5-15 November 2009    
Date Feature title Time Country Length
Thursday 5 Nov ZOZO (On invitation only) 20:00 SWEDEN 102 (1.42)
Friday 6 Nove LINNAEUS EXPERIENCE, THE (FREE) 14:30 SWEDEN 72 (1.12)
  FAREWELL TO HEMINGWAY, A 16:30 BULGARIA 89 (1.29)
  OBABA 18:30 SPAIN 100 (1.40)
  CALIFORNIA DREAMING 20:30 ROMANIA 155 (2.30)
Saturday 7 Nov CHRISTMAS STORY 11:50 FINLAND 78 (1.18)
  LOVE IS ALL 13:30 NETHERLANDS 120 (2.00)
  IRINA PALM 15:45 LUXEMBERG 103 (1.43)
  SPLINTERS 17:45 POLAND 100 (1.40)
  CORRIDOR # 8 19:40 BULGARIA 74 (1.14)
  CROSSED TRACKS 21:30 FRANCE 103 (1.43)
Sunday 8 Nov GOOD MORNING HEARTACHE 12:00 ITALY 93 (1.33)
  ZOZO 14:00 SWEDEN 102 (1.42)
  CITIZEN HAVEL 16:15 CZECH 120 (2.00)
  ADVENTURERS 18:30 HUNGARY 100 (1.40)
  SILENT WEDDING 20:45 ROMANIA 95 (1.35)
Monday 9 Nov LA PALOMA - LONGING WORLDWIDE 15:30 GERMANY 93 (1.33)
  MATAHARIS 17:30 SPAIN 95 (1.35)
  HANNAH HANNAH 19:30 NETHERLANDS 77 (1.17)
  GIBELLINA - THE EARTHQUAKE 21:15 AUSTRIA 72 (1.12)
Tuesday 10 Nov LINNAEUS EXPERIENCE, THE (FREE) 15:00 SWEDEN 72 (1.12)
  CHRISTMAS STORY 16:30 FINLAND 78 (1.18)
  VICEROYS, THE 18:30 ITALY 120 (2.00)
  THE COLLECTRESS 20:45 LITHUANIA 84 (1.24)
Wednesday 11 Nov LOVE IS ALL 17:15 NETHERLANDS 120 (2.00)
  GOOD MORNING HEARTACHE 19:30 ITALY 93 (1.39)
  CORRIDOR # 8 21:30 BULGARIA 74 (1.24)
Thursday 12 Nov IRINA PALM 15:00 LUXEMBERG 103 (1.43)
  ZOZO 17:00 SWEDEN 102 (1.42)
  SPLINTERS 19:00 POLAND 100 (1.40)
  CITIZEN HAVEL 21:00 CZECH 120 (2.00)
Friday 13 Nov ADVENTURERS 17:00 HUNGARY 100 (1.40)
  SILENT WEDDING 19:35 ROMANIA 95 (1.35)
  CROSSED TRACKS 21:15 FRANCE 103 (1.43)
Saturday 14 Nov GIBELLINA-THE EARTHQUAKE 11:50 AUSTRIA 72 (1.12)
  OBABA 13:30 SPAIN 100 (1.40)
  SOUND LIKE TEEN SPIRIT (One screening only) 15:30 UK 89 (1.29)
  HANNAN HANNAH 17:30 NETHERLANDS 77 (1.17)
  BEN X (One screening only) 19:30 BELGIUM 90 (1.30)
  CALIFORNIA DREAMING 21:15 ROMANIA 155 (2.35)
Sunday 15 Nov THE COLLECTRESS 11:50 LITHUANIA 84 (1.24)
  MATAHARIS 13:30 SPAIN 95 (1.35)
  FAREWELL TO HEMINGWAY, A 15:30 BULGARIA 89 (1.29)
  VICEROYS, THE 17:15 ITALY 120 (2.00)
  LA PALOMA - LONGING WORLDWIDE 20:00 GERMANY 93 (1.33)

 

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Posted 4 months ago by Authors Friman | Sundberg