The Arjeplog Times 3-13

InsIde: Hot seat: Jürgen Kopp, Opel; Local: Ottar Hansen, Flinkfeldts Buss, First Opel car testers, What’s on?

The Arjeplog TimesFRee every Friday Friday January 18, 2013no. 3

Your weekly paper with news, views & interviews. since 90/91. 22nd season.

PH Lango is a Saami Legend

Per Henrik Lango is a legendary, and sometimes controversial, Saami from Arjeplog. He is 70+ years old and still going strong. Lango often goes by the name PH.

He became well-known throughout Sweden after the film about his life that was made in the 1980’s. He has

also featured in many newspaper stories, some of them controversial. For example, the one when he was accused of building a tourist village in the mountains without permits. PH said he was building a garage for his snow-mobiles (which is allowed) but the judge wondered why he put fancy parquet flooring in a garage. The huts are still standing some 25 years later.

Now he has decided to enter the event business. Last week he opened his new Saami centre called Sámi Siida which translates to Saami community. “I heard the name somewhere and stole it”, he says, laughing.

Lango has always walked his own path and can easily be called a local celebrity. He has been herding reindeer

continued on page 2

PH Lango with one of his reindeer at Sámi Siida on a cold, cold day!

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Anja Huebsh from BMW is feeding Anton, the famous tame reindeer.

all his life and now he wants to share some of his culture with visitors in Arjeplog. He wants to let people get close to the reindeer and to the people working with them.

At first he had planned on using another location, but after a while decided to work from home in Rattik, just one kilometre from central Arjeplog. He thinks that it is impor-tant to be close to the customer and in a place that is easy to reach by foot or by car.

Last Sunday was the grand opening, but at minus 25°C many people found it too cold to play with reindeer. A group of BMW testers dared to go out despite the weather and had fun talking to locals, getting a closer look at the reindeer, feeding them and walking the tame reindeer.

Anja Huebsch took the opportunity to throw a lasso and she managed to catch the reindeer horn twice. She thought it was great fun.

Anja also tried feeding the reindeer with a special moss that is the favourite food of reindeer. She did not know it, but the reindeer she chose to feed is ‘Anton’. He is also famous since he was taken care of by a family in 2000 when PH Lango believed he was too small to survive in the wild. Anton is now on loan to Lango in the Sámi Siida.

For more detailed information about Lango Sámi Siida see useful information on page 7.

PH Lango is a Saami Legendcontinued from page 1

Some of the crew working at the new Lango Sámi Siida. From left: Frans Forsmark, Anton the reindeer, Angelica Forsmark, a tame reindeer, Nina Lango and PH Lango.

Are the car spies changing their ways of operating to get the pictures they want? Some testers told us the other day that one man stopped the driver of a prototype and asked him to open the door of the car. When he did this, another person with a camera suddenly appeared and started taking pictures inside the prototype. Rela-tions between ‘hunter’ and ‘hunted’ are changing.

When we mentioned the above story on our Facebook page some of the spy-photographers immediately denied any such behaviour. We keep it legal, they say. Others are not so sure.

From time to time we get informa-tion about photographers crossing the line of decent behaviour and of car testers fighting back in a manner that is not considered acceptable.

Mostly relations between car testers and photographers are much more relaxed these days. Some even share an occasional beer.

Most of the six or seven photo-graphers who regularly visit this area say that they are very careful not to break any laws and today most car testers are aware of the fact that they are not allow ed to physically try to stop anyone from taking pictures in a

public place. Swedish law is very clear. Anyone can take pictures of anyone or anything as long as the photographer is in a public place. It is, for instance, not illegal here to stand outside a test facility and take pictures through the fence. Only when the photographer comes inside the facility is it possible to say no to pictures.

Ten or twenty years ago the spy photo graphers were treated like crimi nals in Arjeplog. Locals fiercely protected car testers and often called us to warn about strange cars. It was impossible for a spy to openly go to a restaurant or book a hotel room. Today the situation has changed and the spies have come in from the cold, so to speak.

In recent years the media have turned their interest toward the spies lurking in the snow-banks for interesting stories.

The Spies have come in from the Cold

The Hot seatName: Jürgen Kopp

Age: Almost 59 but I feel like 35.

Married? I have been married to Gaby for 25 years and I have 2 daughters, Sonja and Larissa.

Home: Egelsbach, Germany. Company: Adam Opel AG.

Occupation: I am a mechanical engineer and I have several leading functions in the Diesel engine development. During the last few years I have been the responsible manager for the integration of the 1.3L Diesel engine in all Opel and GM cars. I have been working at Opel for more than 31 years.

Favourite food: I like spicy food and regional cuisine. I am open-minded for new dishes and a good quality of food is important to me. In Arjeplog I like the salmon.

Candid interview with a car tester

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Dream car: GMC Silverado 1300 “Ecoflex Start-Stop”.

Present car: Opel Vectra 1.9 CDTI.

Spare time activities: Biking with friends, sailing and - unfortunately with less success - fishing.

What is good in Arjeplog?I like everything in Arjeplog. The friendly local people and the nature with so many trees and animals! In the silence of North Sweden my family and I were able to relax very well on our holiday trip a few years ago.

What is bad in Arjeplog?Nothing! I love the country, the town and the locals.

What music you enjoy?Everything that rocks and music I can play my guitar to.

What is important in life?Being healthy is the most important thing in life. Also, satisfaction with your own life and having a good time with family and friends. A sense of humor is also essential.

Jürgen Kopp, Adam Opel AG

• From February 28-May 18, Arvids-jaur Airport will have daily departures to and from Copenhagen via Umeå and twice a week from London.

The departure times will be well fitted to make connecting flights from many different destinations.

During the summer, Air Sweden will have scheduled departures between Frankfurt and Arvidsjaur and options for more destinations depending on market demand. The plans for next winter are daily

departures to and from Copenhagen and Frankfurt and every second day London and Paris. www.flyswedish.se

• Please give us tips and suggestions for The Arjeplog Times. What would you like to read about? Mail us, come and visit or talk to us when you see us out and about.

This & That

• Erika Långdahl, has taken over after Torolf Lidström as manager of the municipal sports centre in Arjeplog.

If you need information or want to rent the swimming pool or sports hall you can contact her via her mobile phone, 070-2874073 or email: Erika Långdahlerika.langdahl @arjeplog.se

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Partners of The Arjeplog TimesWe thank our partners for their support

FlyCarGerman-Swedish Chamber of Commerce

OtherS

BorgWarnerBMW GroupBOSChBWI Group Daimler AGFiat GroupGKN Drivelinehyundai MobisJaguar Land roverKnorr-BremseMAN truck and BusMandoOpelPorsche

CAr teSt COMPANIeS

Arctic FoodArvidsjaur AirportFiskimport i Arvidsjaurhotell LaponiaStatoil petrol station & shop

ArvIDSJAurArJePLOGArJePLOG’S KOMMuNArgentisArjeplogs eltjänstArjeplog test ManagementArjeplog vilt AB/ viltbutiken Camp GautoCartestCold Spot Facilities Colmis Proving GroundCoop Konsum supermarket Destination Arctic Circleexperience Arjeplog Fixar’nFlinkfeldts BussGaltis Ski resortharry’s & Frasseshornavan hotellhotell Lyktanhotell SilverhattenICA supermarketIcemakersJärnia-Granns hardwareJutis Moose village KrajaLango Sámi SiidaLena’s Fish ShopNelly’s CaféNina’s BoutiqueNorrskensglas, Glass studio Pizzeria veronarestaurang vuoggaSilver Museum & tourist InfoSwedish Church in Arjeplogtjintokktundra Art

If you or your company would like to be a partner of the Arjeplog times, please contact Illona or Johan,

tel 0961-616 88 or [email protected]. We thank our partners for their solidarity, their belief in the

need of the paper and their financial contribution.

Friday January 18

Sunrise: 9.32 Sunset: 14.26Length of day: 4 hours 53 minutes

Animals are a Great Danger1862 accidents involving wild animal occurred on the roads in Norrbotten during 2012. About a thousand of these involved reindeer and 500 moose. It is very easy to feel safe on the empty roads in Lapland. You drive for miles and see only trees and nature. But there are many animals lurking in the forest and they have no sense of the danger involved in crossing the road. Many times people testify that they did not even see the animal that crashed into their car. Moose often come running full speed across the road and they do not stop to check if there are any vehicles approaching. Every year there are fatal road accidents involving moose. Recently the local priest, Niklas Westling collided with a moose between Arvidsjaur and Arjeplog. Somehow, he remembered an old piece of advice that you should aim for the rear of the animal, if you can. Niklas did this and almost avoided getting the whole animal into his car. The moose exploded as it hit the car and parts of it came in to the car covering the priest and his young passengers. Nobody was seriously hurt and Niklas thanks their guardian angels for protecting them. The moose was not included in the protection program and died. An accident involving animals can and does happen to anyone, no matter how experienced you are or what car you are driving. A moose crossing the road at 50 kms per hour is hard to avoid. There are however many tips that can increase your odds of avoiding an accident. First of all, check the road signs and slow down, obey the warnings. Animals are creatures of habit and usually walk across the road in the same place. If you see tracks or droppings from animals, be aware. If an animal crosses the road in front of you slow down, they are often not alone. Experienced locals have less accidents with animals and they know to scan both sides of the road. Also, if an animal suddenly appears in front of you, try to steer towards the rear of it. The reasoning is that the animals (nearly) always move forward. If you drive regularly between, say Arvidsjaur and Arjeplog, you will learn how the landscape looks and notice when something different appears in this picture. This can be an advanced warning of animals. If you have an acci dent call 112.

A reindeer on the side of the road after an encounter with a car.

Ottar Hansen, Flinkfeldts Buss – this week’s local Name: Ottar Hansen

Age: 65

Family:Married to Lisa, 2 children and 2 wonderful grandchildren.

Home: Arjeplog since 1979-80. I came to Sweden from Norway in 1974.

Occupation: For the past five years or so I have been working as a bus driver for Flinkfeldts Buss. I have driven almost every type of vehicle during my life and now I have just bought a tractor. So, when I am not working at Flinkfeldts Buss, I help make ice tracks for Daimler, clear snow and transport wood and other things.

Favourite food: Christmas ham is good. My wife Lisa makes good food that I enjoy. I also like fillet of perch, a fish that is caught in Arjeplog.

Dream car: I have never really had a dream car but

or our cottage in Stenudden. We drive snow-mobile and go ice fishing. In summer, we like to drive around in our caravan.

What’s good in Arjeplog?The closeness to Nature. You can drive your snow-mobile from your home directly into the forest. It is also a small and tight commun-ity and everyone knows everyone, which gives a nice feeling.

What’s bad in Arjeplog?The fact that the Kommun (municipal-ity) have no money and that they have to cut down on so many things. You really notice this.

What music do you listen to?Mostly Swedish dance-band music, country and other music from the 50’s and 60’s. Sometimes, when I am driv-ing and listening to this kind of music, I dance all the way to my destination. And I love Elvis!

What’s important in life? To be healthy and to be able to make a living. It is so important for me that my closest family are well and happy.

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Ottar Hansen, Flinkfeldts Buss

I would not mind cruising around in a black Chevrolet or why not a Rolls Royce?

Present car: Mitsubishi, outlander.

Spare-time activities: I do not have much spare time but when I am not working we go to our daughter’s holiday cottage in Miekak

Ottar Hansen has driven almost every imaginable vehicle on the roads. The one that was most special was when he drove a truck carrying over one hundred tons of ore and had the engine on the trailer. That was in 1974 in the mining region in northern Sweden.

In the 1980’s Ottar worked for Icemakers and helped to make the first ice tracks with David Sundström and Per Axel Andersson.

Then he was the chief track-maker for Mercedes and remembers well Mercedes’ 100 year anniversary which was celebrated in Arjeplog.

He has also driven trucks loaded with timber and gravel in the mines in the north and he worked in the lead mine in Laisvall.

Now he enjoys his job as a bus driver for Flinkfeldts Buss. He gets to see a lot of places and meets many people of all ages and all walks of life. He drives lo-cal pensioners and others on trips both in Sweden and to other countries. And he takes car testers and other visitors and locals to and from the airport.

He is especially pleased when the car testers recognize him from year to year and says that he always has pleasant encounters with the local receptionists at Arvids jaur Airport and the various car testing companies.

The possibility to go by bus is vital for many people who live in Arjeplog. There are no trains here and the airport is 90 km away. If you do not have your own car or cannot drive, the only way

to get to places is by bus.AND it is thanks to Ottar and Rolle,

who drive the airport bus, that The Arjeplog Times is delivered to Arvids-jaur and to the ariport every Friday.

Ottar has Driven Many Kinds of Vehicles

Flinkfeldts Buss fetching car testers at the airport in Arvidsjaur.

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The First Opel Car Testers 40 Years Ago!

AdmiralComoAdmiral is the name given to this picture by photo-grapher Dietmar Hackner.

Here the Opel team are having a lunch break. The title of the picture is Lohr, Heger, Lunchbrake. Photo: Dietmar Hackner.

Changing the tyres on the ice tracks of Lake Hor-navan. Photo: Dietmar Hackner.

When Dietmar Hackner and Dietmar Pfeiffer, from Opel, first came to Arjeplog they had heard of a landing strip on Lake Hornavan for small aircraft, but they did not know if the ice on the frozen lake was strong enough for their Opel Admiral.

Luckily the car had an automatic gear so they put it in ”D” and let it roll out onto the ice. When they saw that the car did not disappear through the ice, they ran after it.

This was the beginning of testing ABS- brakes and the year was 1973. Since then Opel car testers have been here every year. Dietmar Hackner, honorary citizen of Arjeplog and now retired pioneer gave us these photos. We believe that this is one of the first pictures of cars testing on the tracks on Lake Hornavan.

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◗ Arjeplogs eltjänst All electrical work as well as networks for telephones & computers. Tel 0961-10240.

◗ Arjeplog Vilt/ ViltBUtiKen Meat and Fish. Handicraft. Souvenirs. Gifts. Open: Mon 9-17, Fri 8-17, Tues, Wed, Thurs 10-17, Sat 10-14, Sun 12-15. Drottninggatan 6 . Tel 0961-100 01. Find us on facebook.

◗ CAmp gAUto-snow-moBile toUrs - Snow-mobile tours and ice fishing in the mountains, from 2 hours to full day tours. Tel. 0961-280 30. [email protected]. www.campgauto.se

◗ ChUrCh of sweden Parish of Arjeplog. Church services on Sundays at 11.00. Visit the church every day 8-16.

◗ Cold spot fACilities Testing facilities for rent, short and long-term. Workshops, offices, tracks. Magnus Holmgren tel 070-641 9998, Rickard Larsson tel 070-635 8110.

◗ Colmis proVing groUnd One of the leading facilities for winter testing. Your total service provider: tracks, workshops and offices located within our fenced off area. We offer accommodation. Tel 0961-720 100. www.colmis.com.

◗ Coop KonsUm sUpermArKet Open: Mon-Sat 9-21, Sun 10-21. Fresh bread, grilled chicken, fruit and vegetables, organic produce, and lots more.

◗ destinAtion ArCtiC CirCle Drottninggatan 3. Accommodation, Saami culture, dog-sleds, snow-mobile and moose safaris, ice fishing, incentive events. Tel 0961-222 30. www.polcirkeln.nu.

◗ experienCe Arjeplog Shop: Mon-Fri 8-17; Sat & Sun 10-15. To book events and activities: Joakim, tel 070-5511779. Also, snow-mobile tours. [email protected] ◗ fixAr’n Tyres, repairs, wheel align-ments. Everything for your cars. Tow-truck 24-hour service: Tel 070-510 5525. We fix anything! Industrivägen 6. Tel 0961-615 09.

◗ flinKfeldts BUss Book transfer to/from Arvidsjaur Airport tel 0771-100110. Direct tel to Airport bus: 0706-40 44 25. [email protected].

◗ gAltis sKi resort Open Saturdays and Sundays. Rental of equipment, restaurant. 11 km from Arjeplog. Tel lift: 0961-440 26, office 0961-109 08. www.galtis.se

◗ hotell lyKtAn Hotel and conference in centre of town. Tel 0961-612 10, Fax 101 50.

◗ iCA sUpermArKet Salad bar (new this season), freshly baked bread every day, grilled meat, bottled water and lots more. Post office services. On facebook: Ica Nära Arjeplog. Mon-Fri 9-20, Sat & Sun 9-18.

◗ iCemAKers Test tracks on lake ice and land. Cold chambers for cars & heavy vehicles. Info: 0961-329 00, Gunilla or Katarina.www.icemakers.se

◗ lAngo sámi siidA Get to know reindeer & the Saami way of life in Rattik. Every day: visit the reindeer, Weekends: guided tours book in advance. Tel +070 235 6076, 073-806 2906. www.gavas.se.

◗ moose sAfAri i jUtis Moose safari on snow-mobiles. Start Jutis, 39 km from Arjeplog on the Silver Road. 750 kr/person incl. coffee, tea, sandwich. Money-back guarantee. To book, tel 070-222 9235, Veronica. www.jutis.se

◗ järniA, grAnns Hardware shop & sports shop. Kitchen-ware, tools, shavers, clothes, sports equipment. Storgatan 9. Tel 0961-101 70.

◗ lenA’s fish shop Fish & meat. Mon 9-11, 16-18. Tues & Wed 16-18, Thurs 16-19. Fri 8-11, 16-18. Other times, phone Lena at 070-216 9065.

◗ ninA’s BoUtiqUe Warm underwear, outdoor clothes, padded (ski)pants. Tradition al Swedish woollen cardigans. Fashion clothes. Torggatan. Tel 0961-103 04. www.ninasiarjeplog.se

◗ norrsKensglAs Glass Studio/shop. Glassblowing and production of ornaments and articles. Gifts. Mon-Fri 10-17; Sunday 12-16. Smedjegatan 3. Sarah & Yvonne. Tel 0961-103 33.

◗ ArCtiC food At ArVidsjAUr Airport - NEW this season. Fish and meat from Lapland. Inside the gate in the cafeteria, where they also sell food and drinks. Mondays and Fridays. Eva Wallin tel +46 (0) 70 644 4941.

◗ ArVidsjAUr Airport Flights to & from Arlanda, Stockholm. Charter flights to/from Munich, Hahn, Hannover, Stuttgart. Info: tel 0960-17380. Cafeteria/lunch restaurant.

◗ fisKimport i ArVidsjAUr Smoked & marinated salmon. Specialities from the sea. Stationsgatan nr 12. Some products also for sale at Arvidsjaur Airport. Tel 0960-12828. Fax 0960-12822. [email protected]. Mon-Fri 9.30-17.30. Other times call Peter 070-322 5801.

◗ stAtoil Mon-Sun 6.00-24.00. ‘Testförar-kaffe’ Good coffee at special price for car testers! Food, petrol, toasted sandwiches, freshly-made baguettes, hamburgers, salads. Welcome!

Arjeplog Useful Information

◗ deUtsCh-sChwedisChe hAndelsKAmmer, Ihr Partner im Schwedengeschäft, tel 08-6651800. www.handelskammer.se.

◗ flyCAr Direct flights to and from Arvidsjaur and Stuttgart, Frankfurt-Hahn, Munich, Hannover, www.fly-car.de. NEW! Iglootel, ice hotel in Abborträsk near Arvidsjaur. http://iglootel.de

Arvidsjaur

General Info

◗ silVer mUseUm & toUrist offiCe. Mon-Fri: 10-12; 13-16. Sat 10-14, Sun 16-18. Exhibitions, slide show, souvenir shop, tourist info. Entrance to museum: 60 kronor. Tel 0961-145 00.

◗ tUndrA Art High quality handicraft. Knives, jewellery, lamps. Studio and shop. Gunnar Edholm. Skomakaregatan nr 4 (from town over the bridge towards the schools, first street on the right). Tel 070-345 5719. www.tundra.nu.

What’s on?

The Arjeplog Times

Illona & Johan Fjellström

Tel 0961-616 88. [email protected] Storgatan 12, Arjeplog, Sweden.

www.arjeplogtimes.com

produced & published by

Friday, January 18

• pUB eVening at Harrys 22-02.

saturday, January 19

• disCo at Hotell Silverhatten DJ: Grey. 22-02. Free entrance.

• pUB eVening at Harrys 22-02.

sunday, January 20

• BrUnCh at Nelly’s Café from 11.00. Enjoy a large breakfast/lunch = brunch at the cafe on the market square.

sunday, January 22

• silVer mUseUm is open 16-18. Take the time to see all the permanent exhibitions and the excellent slide show. There is also a shop where you can buy many souvenirs and products from the region.

• sUndAy snow-moBile toUr. 12-14. Reduced price: 1365 kr (nor-mal price 1465 kr). To book, phone 0961-10770 or come to the reception at Silverhatten.

Thursday, January 26

• ‘plAnKA’ plAnKed steAK at Hornavan Hotell. Moose or salmon. 19-22. 195 kr. Book 24 hours in advance and get dessert and coffee on the house.

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Where to Eat & DrinkArjeplog

hotell lAponiA Lunch: Mon-Fri 11-14. 75 kr. Fjälls Pub and Bistro: Daily 18-22. Special offers when the hockey is shown. Book a table! Entertainment, dances, discos. Tel 0960-555 00. www.hotell-laponia.se.

frAsses Fast food every day 11-20. Pizza also take away. Drottninggatan 2. Tel 0961-101 01.

hArrys Varied menu, pizza, à la carte. Open from 17.00. Sat & Sun fr 13. Cosy pub, live entertainment some Fridays and Satur-days. Drottninggatan. 2. Tel 0961-101 06.

hornAVAn hotell Lunch: Mon-Fri 11-14. Sat 12-14. 89 kr. Restaurant: Mon-Sun 19-22, special dinners and à la carte. Thursdays: Planked moose or salmon. Skepps holmen. Tel 0961-777 100.

hotell silVerhAtten Lunch: Mon-Sat 11-14. 80 kr. Pub menu: Mon-Sat 17-23, Sun 15-23. Pub open every evening. À la carte: Mon-Sat 19-23, Sun 18-23. Tel 0961-107 70.

KrAjA restAUrAnt Lunch: Mon-Sat 11-14. 80 kr. À la carte: Daily 19-22. Bar: Mon-Sat 19-midnight, Sun 19-23. Tel 31500.

nelly’s CAfé Mon-Sat 6-18, Breakfast from 6. Lunch 11-14. Sun 10-16, Sunday Brunch 10-14. Market Square. Tel 0961-33 33 99.

pizzeriA VeronA Lunch: 11-14. 79 kr. Turkish Mezes buffet and main dish. Also: Pizza, pasta, à la carte. Take away. Fully licensed! Sports channels on 2 big screen TVs. Football matches & other sporting events. Drottninggatan 6. Tel 0961-108 00.

Where to Eat & DrinkArvidsjaur

Open on SundaysSome of the shops as well as the Silver Museum are also open on Sundays during the winter season, specially for our car tester visitors.

The meat and fish shop, Viltbutik-en in the centre of town is open on Sundays 12-15.

Norrskensglas, the glass blowing studio and shop are also open on Sunday 12-16.

The supermarkets, ICA and COOP are open all year round on Sundays, as well as during the week. COOP from10-21 and ICA 9-18.

And after you have been shopping you can go to the Silver Museum that is open on Sundays 16-18.

See opening hours on page 7.

Warmer at Galtis Galtis Ski Slope will be open every Saturday and Sunday from 10-16. They will open on Wednesday eve-nings only during the sports holidays from Feb 18 - March 10.

The reason that they are only open on Wednesday evenings during the sports holidays is that there are so few people who come to ski on regular Wednesday evenings, according to Håkan Ederlöv at Galtis.

It is also important to remember that it is usually much warmer on Galtis than in the town. Even when the temperature is minus 25°C in central Arjeplog, it could be minus 12 °C up on the mountain, as was the case last Saturday.