Melina Viking

Spatial Story

Growing up in the Stockholm suburb of Nacka, I spent my summers exploring the archipelago and visiting my grandparents’ summer cottage on Öland. Öland was my favourite place, with its charming windmills, farm shops, and endless stretches of beaches where it felt like you could walk out into the sea for miles.

Back in the day, winters used to be cold in Stockholm. On one particularly cold day, all the residents on our street got their hoses out to flush our small gravel road with lots of water. Just a few hours later, with a slick icy street, all the kids went ice skating along the road.

At nineteen, freshly graduated from Gymnasiet, I packed my bags moved to the south coast of England. My journey eventually led me to the colourful city of Brighton & Hove—a place brimming with character. From seagulls swooping down on unsuspecting tourists’ fish and chips to streets alive with music and quirky independent shops. It was a celebration of the weird and wonderful and quickly felt like home.

Fast forward ten years and a global pandemic led to frequent and restrictive lockdowns in the UK. I was missing my hometown and family. We sold nearly everything we owned—since no one wanted to endure the 2-week quarantine to drive a moving truck out the country—and managed to fit our remaining belongings onto a single EU pallet.

Today, we live in Värmdö, just outside Stockholm. Surrounded by summer cottages, endless numbers of moose, and fantastic opportunities for wild foraging.