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Exclusive: Brits feel betrayed by PET agent Birmingham resident says Morten Storm was a violent man who brainwashed youths and sold them drugs

Oops! Air Force’s redaction blunder adds to fallout of an already damaging report

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NEWS

Tourist’s family sues Family of American killed by runaway lorry on Strøget seek compensation from the city

6 InOut

An old hand has added two new faces to bring us Pinter’s classic ‘Old Times’

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BUSINESS

PETER STANNERS

Neighbour wars

A government reshuffle adds experienced left-wing politicians but PM insists government will pursue the same policies

Sweden’s tax cuts and Norway’s protectionist measures heat up Scandinavian rivalries

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Shake-up: Out with the new, in with the old

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HE GOVERNMENT performed its largest shake-up since last year’s election and replaced two of its ministers on Tuesday morning.

The reshuffle was widely anticipated after Villy Søvndal stepped down as leader of Socialistisk Folkeparti (SF) in September and a five-week election campaign was carried out to find his replacement.

Søvndal’s departure as leader was seen as a reflection of dissatisfaction in SF’s heartland following a precipitous drop in confidence by voters follow-

ing the election. SF polled at about 20 percent amongst voters three years ago, against about six percent today.

51-year-old Annette Vilhelmsen, a relative political novice who was elected to parliament last year after her third attempt, won a landslide victory over Astrid Krag on Saturday to become the new party leader. With almost 20 years experience in education, Vilhelmsen’s defeat of 29-year-old Krag – a career politician with little professional experience – demonstrated a will by SF members to return to more traditional roots.

Among Vilhelmsen’s first decisions were appointing herself as the new business and growth minister in place of the recently-resigned Ole Sohn and firing Thor Möger Pedersen as the tax minister.

Pedersen has been replaced by Holger K Nielsen, an MP for SF between 1981

and 2005 (bar three years) and the party’s leader from 1991-2005.

The 26-year-old Pedersen was given a ministerial post despite failing to get elected in the last election. He was, however, a key strategist who over the past five years helped turn SF from a ‘protest party’ into a party with ambitions for power.

His efforts helped SF assume a position in government for the first time ever last year after it entered into an election coalition with the Socialdemokraterne (S).

It may then seem ungrateful to dismiss Pedersen from his post as tax minister after only a year holding the position. But clearly Vilhelmsen was looking for different qualities from one of SF’s key ministers in a three-party cabinet that spans the policial spectrum from the centre to the left.

And if anyone can argue SF’s case, it

is Nielsen. Throughout his long career he served as the party’s spokesperson on defence, foreign affairs and media and also occupied powerful positions, including a stint on parliament’s executive committee.

Reports now suggest that Nielsen will be expected to extend his influence as member of the government’s powerful co-ordination committee that, under PM Helle Thorning-Schmidt’s (S) leadership, has the final say on the political line taken by the government.

Whether the new SF ministers will end up moving the government further to the left remains to be seen. Two days of talks between Vilhelmsen and Thorning-Schmidt seemed to establish that SF would not challenge the pre-election policy agreement with S. And, of course,

Shake-up continues on page 5

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Week in review

The Copenhagen Post cphpost.dk

CPH Post Word of the Week:

19 - 25 October 2012 THE WEEK’S MOST READ STORIES AT CPHPOST.DK

Rokade (noun) – Cabinet reshuffle. Where you heard it: The election of Annete Vilhelmsen as the new head of the Socialistisk Folkeparti led to a shake-up amongst SF’s ministers (see page 1) Scanpix / Erik Refner

Save the horses

Dating the Danes | Boys who can shave Dual citizenship delayed at least another year PET agent attempted to “brainwash” Muslims in England Former biker infiltrated al-Qaeda Marriage migration makes Denmark ‘Europe’s Las Vegas’

FROM OUR ARCHIVES TEN YEARS AGO. Danish footballer Stig Tøfting is sentenced to four months in jail for ‘nutting’ a waiter in a Copenhagen restaurant.

FIVE YEARS AGO. The National Heritage Agency adds 11 buildings in Christiania to its list of national heritage buildings.

ONE YEAR AGO. Protesters take to Rådhuspladsen in extension of the ‘Occupy Wall Street’ protests for economic equality raging worldwide.

A group of residents – both of the human and equine variety – met up at Christiansborg Palace on Monday to protest against the budget-cutting decision by Copenhagen Police to scrap its mounted police programme

nalists at 2.54. Despite the feeble reputation endured by journalists, they can find comfort in knowing that their trustworthiness score increased by 0.14 compared to last year’s analysis.

Meanwhile, Danes have great faith in nurses, doctors and policemen, who scored 4.03, 3.96 and 3.79 respectively.

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In addition to publishing the only regularly printed English-language newspaper in the country, we provide up-to-date news on our website and deliver news to national and international organisations. The Copenhagen Post is also a leading provider of non-news services to the private and public sectors, offering writing, translation, editing, production and delivery services.

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Spotted

Denmark may have seen its first wolf in 200 years. A group of ornithologists spotted a large, wolf-like creature in Thy National Park in northern Jutland this week. The group of nine bird watchers was in the Hanstholm natural reserve spotting whitetailed eagles when the sudden appearance of a larger animal

President and Publisher Ejvind Sandal Chief Executive Jesper Nymark Editor-in-Chief Kevin McGwin Managing Editor Ben Hamilton News Editor Justin Cremer Journalists Peter Stanners, Ray Weaver & Christian Wenande

caught their eye, walking 500 metres away and oblivious to their presence. The group took several photos of the animal, which were assessed by Norwegian wolf and dog expert Runar Næss, who declared that it was likely a European wolf. The last registered wolf in Denmark was shot in 1813.

Editorial offices: Slagtehusgade 4 – 6 DK 1715 Copenhagen V Telephone: 3336 3300 Fax: 3393 1313 www.cphpost.dk News Desk news@cphpost.dk 3336 4243 The CPH Post welcomes outside articles and letters to the editor.

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Københavns politi

According to a new analysis by Epinion, Danes don’t much trust spin doctors, politicians, car salesmen and journalists. On a scale of 1-5, with 1 being very low and 5 being very high, spin doctors scored 2.25 in trustworthiness. Following close behind were politicians at 2.28, car salesmen at 2.47 and jour-

Colourbox

Scanpix / Torkil Adsersen

Distrusted

Nabbed

A large shipment of hash destined for Pusher Street in Christiania was seized by police on Monday following a long investigation. Two cars driven up from Germany were followed by police to the Fisketorv shopping mall where they were met by a Danish car that escorted them to a garage. Police raided the garage

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and found four men who had begun to disassemble the van. The men, two Danes a German and a Pole, were arrested and 78.2 kilograms of hash were found hidden within the van. “The action and arrests were a direct result of our investigation,” deputy police inspector Poul Kjeldsen, leader of Task Force Pusher Street, said.

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News

19 - 25 October 2012

Bureaucracy scares foreigners and businesses away from Denmark Christian Wenande An exodus of companies from Denmark due to the smothering hand of the state has politicians scrambling to react

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he process of attracting and retaining highlyskilled foreigners to Danish shores is so excruciating and intricate that companies are being coerced to seek greener business pastures overseas, metroXpress newspaper reported on Monday.

Months of waiting for work permits to be issued and documents to be translated – combined with the nation’s stringent immigration laws – have contributed to Denmark becoming an inefficient and unattractive environment for hiring foreign workers. As a result, Denmark’s ability to compete on the international stage is at risk.

One Danish company that has already fled the bureaucratic quagmire in Denmark is the takeaway portal Just-Eat.com, which employs 800 people globally but only 170 in Denmark. One of the prime reasons for their move to London was the inability to attract top skilled workers, according to Just-Eat’s international director, Klaus Nyengaard.

“We have a massive need for talent. I would have loved for our head offices to remain in Copenhagen, but it must be quick

and un-bureaucratic to recruit global talent,” Nyengaard told metroXpress. “It makes a huge difference to us that we have to wait several months for an engineer with the desired expertise.”

Industry advocate organisation Dansk Industri (DI) contends that, ultimately, the loser is the Danish society.

“Denmark is competing with the rest of the world for a limited number of highly-skilled people who possess specialised knowledge within their field,” Jannik Scharck Linnemann, a DI spokesperson, told metroXpress. “There is not enough of a talent pool in Denmark for the required types.”

Some 18 of the largest companies operating in Denmark – including Maersk, Arla, Carlsberg and Novo Nordisk – joined forces in 2010 to form the Consortium for Global Talent (CGT), an initiative that aims to attract and retain global talent in the country.

“It’s very unfortunate that companies leave Denmark because it influences the Danish economy,” Tine Horwitz, the CEO of CGT, told metroXpress.

“There needs to be more focus on how much the foreign work force contributes to society.

There is a political will and comprehension, but a clear strategy and plan to attract highly-skilled workers is regrettably lacking.”

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On top of the bureaucratic pitfalls involved in hiring skilled foreigners, dire economic predictions in Denmark have forced many Danish companies to consider moving production elsewhere in an attempt to reduce expenditures.

According to DI and CGT, the five central areas requiring improvement are: quicker processing for work and residence permits; simplifying the process of having essential foreign documents translated to Danish; easier access to international schools; making public services and official correspondence available in English; and special assistance to help foreign workers’ spouses find work.

Copenhagen’s mayor, Frank Jensen (Socialdemokraterne), has said that he is well aware of the dilemma and has stepped up a campaign aimed at attracting and keeping foreign workers in Denmark.

The City Council initiated an ‘expat-package’ in a bid to address the issues that foreign talent face when coming to Denmark and has also funded the expansion and creation of international schools.

Jensen has also said that he will look at implementing English as a working language of the council so that foreigners receive correspondence in a language that they understand.

Funding cut for private schools proposed PETER STANNERS Deputy mayor argues that private schools are getting an unfair share of state subsidies

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ouncil-run schools would receive a larger piece of the state funding pie by reducing subsidies to private schools under a proposal unveiled by the deputy mayor for children and young people, Anne Vang (Socialdemokraterne).

Vang’s proposal to reduce the amount of state subsidies to private schools by half is supported by a majority in the City Council. The money would instead be diverted to increase the resources at schools with greater numbers of socially-disadvantaged students.

“It’s scandalous that private schools with almost no sociallydisadvantaged children have far more money to operate than council-run schools,” Vang told Politiken newspaper. “My proposal would make it more expensive to send your child to a private school. It would make the middle class less likely to choose private schools, which is one of the goals of the proposal.”

The proposal comes on the heels of a City Council report showing that increasing numbers of parents are choosing to send their children to private

schools. As a result, schools in Copenhagen are becoming increasingly polarised.

One example presented in Information newspaper was Blågårds School in the inner-city district of Nørrebro. Compared to the national average, it is a poorly performing school. Moreover, two-thirds of its students come from bilingual or sociallydisadvantaged backgrounds, as opposed to the national average of one-third of students.

In the catchment area for Blågaårds School, some 45 percent of children are sent to private schools. The high number of privately-educated children comes as a bit of a surprise, given that almost 50 percent of voters in the district voted for the two most left-wing – and pro-public school – parties, Enhedslisten and Socialistisk Folkeparti.

According to Niels Egelund, a professor of education at Aarhus University, the high number of children in the district attending private schools is due to fears over the level of education in public schools.

“Private schools are no longer a choice of ideology,” Egelund told Information. “Choosing a private school has more to do with not choosing the public system, and that presents us with a big problem. It may be the case that you vote left-wing, but when it comes to your children,

people choose with their hearts, not their minds.”

In Vang’s mission to support the city’s socially-disadvantaged children, she also proposed this summer to reduce the funding for youth and after-school clubs in more affluent parts of the city in order to increase funding in disadvantaged areas.

“Our clubs are very socially divided because the well-off children are fleeing from the clubs in troubled areas of the city,” Vang told Politiken in June. “These clubs simply don’t have enough staff because they are spending a lot of their time doing social work. It’s not fair.”

Despite its broad support in the council, Vang’s school funding proposal is unlikely to get the go-ahead. School funding is written into national law, and the education minister, Christine Antorini (Socialdemokraterne), has ruled out making any alterations.

“The government has no plans to transfer funds from private to council-run schools,” Antorini told Politiken. “Our ambition is to make public schools even better and a more natural choice. But we don’t want to finance it by taking money from private schools.”

Antorini added that she was interested in finding ways to make public schools educate more socially-disadvantaged students.

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Cover Story

The Copenhagen Post cphpost.dk

19 - 25 October 2012

PET agent attempted to “brainwash” Muslims in England Morten Storm also accused of selling drugs to strayed youths in and around Birmingham

Private photo

Jyllands-posten

Justin Cremer

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The Kørsor identity Morten Storm’s path into covert operations was a twisted one indeed. To read how a boy from the small town of Korsør went from petty criminal to biker gang member to Muslim convert to PET double agent, visit bit.ly/mortenstorm.

Abu-Eesa Asif (right), a Muslim leader in Birmingham, said that Storm (left) infiltrated the local community and attempted to radicalise young Muslims and led them astray

I treated him like any Muslim would, fed him at my house and helped him when he needed help for money.”

Asif believes that Storm arrived in Birmingham as a paid agent of PET with the knowledge of the British intelligence agency MI5 and the American intelligence agency CIA. “He did a lot of travelling, to Denmark, to Yemen and so on,” Asif said.

“How could he afford this when he didn’t even have a job? He claimed his mother had won the lottery.”

Before moving to Birmingham in 2010, Storm lived in Luton, England, and the stories from there largely mirror Asif ’s telling.

Farasat Latif, a spokesperson for the Luton Islamic Centre, told Politiken newspaper that Storm tried to radicalise and militarise the Muslim community there as well.

“He promoted active radicalisation in Luton. There is no doubt about that,” Latif told Politiken. “He said that he wanted people to become militant. He encouraged a violent revolution against, in his eyes, corrupt foreign leaders.”

Latif said that Storm went as far as to create a splinter group in opposition to the Luton Islamic Centre because the centre disavowed the actions of alAwlaki and Osama bin Laden. Storm would stand outside the local Luton mosque and distribute a book he had put together with Jihadist language he found on the internet.

British newspaper The Independent spoke to Muslims in Luton who said they often had to help Storm purchase necessities like nappies. The newspaper also discovered that Storm skipped out on his Luton residence without paying

his rent.

But when Storm came to Birmingham, Asif says, his money situation had suddenly changed.

“He arrived in Birmingham with tonnes of money,” Asif said. “He liked to flaunt it, often paying for others when out on the town.”

Asif believes that the change in Storm’s financial fortunes was due to direct funding from PET. Asif characterised Storm as a generally loud, boisterous man and said he wasn’t surprised that Storm took his story to Jyllands-Posten newspaper.

“He had already exposed himself to many people, as he had a big mouth,” Asif said.

Storm often bragged about his connection to al-Awlaki, who at the time of his killing in September 2011 was a high-ranking member of al-Qaeda who had used his American connections and English skills to recruit militant Islamists online. Asif said he had seen Storm with the USB memory stick that he used to pass messages back and forth with al-Awlaki and is “99.9 percent sure that [Storm] led the CIA to al-Awlaki”.

Asif played a recording for The Copenhagen Post that he claims is a Skype conversation between Storm and al-Awlaki. A third party confirmed that the voices on the recording are those of Storm and al-Awlaki.

Asif felt the need to come forward because he was upset that Storm had deceived so many Muslims in England and because he feels Storm is just out for both attention and money.

“I will now openly speak out against all of these people even if it costs me my life,” Asif said.

For his part, Storm said that after contacting PET in 2006 and offering his services, he had to keep up the appearance of being a radical Muslim so as not to blow his cover.

According to criminal law experts that spoke with Politiken, if the various allegations against Storm are correct he overstepped the legal boundaries for secret agents.

Scanpix /AFP / SITE INTELLIGENCE GROUP

ET agent Morten Storm, who detailed last week how he infiltrated al-Qaeda’s inner circle and directly contributed to the targeted killing of American-born terrorist Anwar al-Awlaki, was an agitator who attempted to radicalise Muslim youth in England, a Birmingham community leader has told The Copenhagen Post.

According to Abu-Eesa Asif, the host of a weekly radio programme on Muslim issues and a leader in the local Muslim community, Storm was an “infiltrator” with “an incorrect understanding” of Islam who attempted to incite the youth of Birmingham into becoming radicals.

“I treated him like any Muslim would, fed him at my house and helped him when he needed help. This man was my friend and he let many people down,” Asif told The Copenhagen Post. “[Storm] helped to brainwash many with [the blessing of ] PET, CIA and MI5.”

Asif served as a religious advisor of sorts to Storm and said that in the roughly year and a half that the Dane lived in Birmingham, the two would often engage in deep, prolonged discussions about Islam.

“He did not have a correct understanding of Islam,” Asif said. “He held very extremist views.”

Asif contends that while in Birmingham, Storm would seek out impressionable youth and attempt to get them to adopt his more radical views. Many members of the local Muslim community were sceptical of Storm, and the possibility that he was a spy was discussed but ultimately dismissed by Asif.

Asif also alleges that Storm sold drugs to teens in the Birmingham Muslim community. Storm allegedly discussed his drug-dealing with al-Awlaki, who encouraged him to stop. Asif, however, thinks that Storm continued to sell drugs.

Asif also said that Storm was prone to fits of violent rage that often led to altercations.

In one incident, Asif said that Storm had a large truck parked outside his residence advertising his outdoor survival company, Storm Bushcraft. When a neighbour complained about the truck, Storm “flew into a rage” and threatened the neighbour’s life. Asif said Storm would often appear with bruises and cuts after getting into fights.

And, Asif argues, Storm did all of his drug dealing, fighting and radicalising while on the payroll of PET. “For him, it was all about money,” Asif said. “He sold himself to the CIA and PET. Remember, he is the one who approached PET. He said it was because he had a change in his religious views, but Morten Storm was just out

Morten the matchmaker sent a wife to al-Awlaki

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efore Morten Storm led the CIA to top terrorist Anwar alAwlaki, he provided the al-Qaeda leader with a Western wife, JyllandsPosten newspaper reports.

Working in close connection with the CIA in 2010, Storm helped to send a woman, ‘Aminah’, to Yemen as a bride for al-Awlaki. ‘Aminah’ was to unwillingly help locate and track al-Awlaki, who would then be targeted for assassination, with tracing equipment placed in her suitcase without her knowledge

by PET. According to Storm, al-Awlaki was at the time looking for a wife who was more ‘Western’ than the two wives he already had.

Storm found ‘Aminah’, a converted Croatian woman who wanted to marry al-Awlaki, through Facebook. Spying equipment was placed in her suitcase, but prior to leaving for Yemen, she received a message from al-Qaeda telling her to not travel with the suitcase.

Following Storm’s arrangements, he was congratulated by his immediate superior at PET and promised a reward. Storm received an SMS that read: “Congratulations brother, you have just become rich. Very rich.”

Jyllands-Posten reports that Storm

received $250,000 for his role in finding a wife for al-Awlaki.

As new details continue to come out regarding Storm’s life as a double agent, PET has found itself under increasing scrutiny.

“If these allegations are true, it points even more than it did a week ago [when Storm came out with his story] that PET was active in its attempts to support the CIA’s efforts to track down al-Awlaki with the goal of killing him,” Lars Erslev Andersen, a terror researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies, told Jyllands-Posten. “But PET has said that [Storm’s role] didn’t contribute to the hunt for al-Awlaki. They have some explaining to do.”

Pernille Skipper, a spokesperson for the far-left party Enhedslisten, also wants answers from PET. “There are two central elements we need to have answers to. One is whether PET has helped CIA with a plan to kill somebody rather than have him put in front of a court,” Skipper told Politiken newspaper. “The other is now whether PET has also used an innocent person as live bait. That’s not just a violation of rules; it is completely morally reprehensible.” (JC)

News

The Copenhagen Post cphpost.dk

19 - 25 October 2012

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continued from front page

Thor Möger Pedersen Tax minister

Holger K Nielsen Tax minister

26-year-old organisational and strategical prodigy who masterminded SF’s emergence as a political power

A political veteran who led SF for 15 years now makes a comeback to add depth and experience to SF’s ministerial team

Ole Sohn Business and growth minister

Annette Vilhelmsen Business and growth minister

Following Søvndal’s departure, Sohn saw the writing on the wall and voluntarily withdrew as minister. He also announced he would not stand for re-election to parliament

After a long career in education, Vilhelmsen was elected into parliament on her third try last October and now also assumes SF’s leadership after less than a year as an MP

anything that SF wants to accomplish would also need the co-operation of centrist coalition party Radikale.

This may disappoint the SF heartland, which wants the government to provide better support for the almost 20,000 people that stand to lose their unemployment benefits, dagpenge, at the start of the new year.

Outside Amalienborg on Tuesday, following the formal presentation of the two new ministers to the queen, PM Thorning-Schmidt said that the government would be making no immediate changes.

“We are still the same government, but we are three different parties,” Thorning-Schmidt said, before turning to her two new colleagues. “They are two politicians that are deeply concerned with improving our welfare state.

They are both politicians that are optimistic about the government’s future co-operation.”

HASSE FERROLD

ccording to figures from the national agency of modernisation, Moderniseringsstyrelsen, children of parents who work as ministers receive over 15,000 kroner a year in a special pension fund until they reach the age of 21.

The benefit is part of a special compensation that rewards the families of civil servants for working long hours at the expense of their home lives.

But far-left support party Enhedslisten (EL), which also proposed cutting some of the lucrative ministerial bonuses last year, finds the function “grotesque” and may propose further cutbacks.

IN:

Scanpix / Andreas Beck

The children of ministers enjoy an annual pension payout until the age of 21, an arrangement Enhedslisten finds unreasonable

OUT:

Online this week Former spin doctor back in front of Taxgate commission Testimony in the investigation into the illegal leak of PM Helle Thorning-Schmidt’s private tax information resumed last week, and once again it was former spin doctor Peter Arnfeldt in the hot seat. Arnfeldt’s statements brought to light the rumours about Stephen Kinnock’s sexual-

Novo Nordisk leading Danish contributor to US elections

ity, showing the political wisdom of Thorning-Schmidt’s rather unorthodox step in August of going on the offensive and pre-emptively striking down a comment in the audit that insinuates her husband is gay. Arnfeldt told the commission that he was aware of the rumours as far back as 2010.

Novo Nordisk, the world’s leading maker of diabetes medicine, is the leading Danish contributor in the upcoming US elections, according to statistics accumulated by Politiken Research. The drug maker has doled out around one million kroner to various politicians,

many of whom oppose President Barack Obama’s healthcare reform. But by supporting opponents of the healthcare reform, some are accusing the Danish company of contradicting its own ethical standards of being “firmly committed to improving access to health”.

Study: Denmark most committed to global development The Center for Global Development has released its annual ‘Commitment to Development Index’, and this year Denmark tops the list. The index is an average of scores on seven different measures: aid, trade, investment,

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Scanpix / Keld Navntoft

Christian Wenande

ters and parliament members.

The same was true of the previous Venstre-led regime.

The 23 incumbent ministers have a total of 34 children who qualify for the child pension scheme, racking up over 500,000 kroner a year.

Aside from the children’s pension, ministers enjoy an annual salary that ranges from roughly 1.15 million to 1.44 million kroner, as well as generous ministerial pensions. Former ministers receive a 97,214 kroner monthly compensation for the first year and a half after they leave their position. Following those 18 months, former ministers receive additional pension funds. Recently-retired business minister Ole Sohn (see story to right), for example, will receive an annual 86,247 kroner ministerial pension when he reaches the age of 60. When he reaches the age of 66, it will go down to 75,985 kroner a year for the remainder of his life.

“The agreement is unreasonable because ministers already have a number of rewarding schemes catering to them, so I think that we could do away with the child pension scheme,” Enhedslisten spokesperson Per Clausen told Newspaq. “It’s a shame that ministers and members of parliament have a tendency to give themselves lucrative pension schemes.”

Clausen criticised the agreement last year, at which time it was defended by Margrethe Vestager (Radikale), the minister for economic and interior affairs “That’s the way it is. You become minister and receive the reward that has been agreed upon, including the compensation, pension and children’s pension,” Vestager told Nordjyske Stiftstidende newspaper.

The current Socialdemokraterne-led government has not shown initiative to change any of the lucrative schemes that benefit the minis-

Shake-up

Scanpix / Claus Bech

Ministers rack up children pensions

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migration, environment, security and technology. Denmark received high marks across the board, only scoring below average on the ‘investment’ measure.

Norway and Sweden rounded out the top three spots.

Read the full stories at cphpost.dk

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NEWS

THE COPENHAGEN POST CPHPOST.DK

19 - 25 October 2012

CHRISTIAN WENANDE After years of legal battles, thousands of Greenlanders will finally have the opportunity to find out their paternal heritage

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AMILIES of men who lived and worked in Greenland in the 1950s and 1960s may be getting an additional member in the near future.

The social and integration minister, Karen Hækkerup (Socialdemokraterne), will initiate a law proposal in December that will ensure that Greenlanders born out of wedlock before 1963 have the option of finding out who their fathers are.

The proposal is set to end years of debate and legal wrangling and will finally give Greenlanders a right that Danes have

enjoyed since 1938.

The result of the law change means that a number of the Greenlanders will be able to seek inheritance claims from their new-found fathers and his kin. The ministry proposal also includes the possibility that paternity cases can be processed in Greenlandic courts even if the father in question has passed away.

Through the 1950s and 1960s, thousands of Greenlandic children were left fatherless

by Danish, American and Faroese men who lived on the world’s biggest island. These Greenlanders grew up not knowing half of their heritage.

Since 1938, children born out of wedlock in Denmark have had the right to identify their fathers, use their names and inherit from them. In Greenland, children were first granted this right in 1963, and only in 1974

It means everything to us that we are able to use our father’s name after years of discrimination for children in north and east Greenland. But the law wasn’t retroactive, so fatherless Greenlanders who were born before 1963 were still left in the dark about their fathers’ identities.

Tida Ravn, the head of the national association for fatherless children in Greenland, was pleased to hear about Hækkerup’s pending proposal.

“It means everything to us that we are able to use our father’s name after years of discrimination. It is important that we get a law now before it’s too late,” Ravn told Kristeligt Dagblad newspaper. “Many of the fathers are already dead and a number of the fatherless are also elderly.”

Ravn herself has searched for her father since she was a teenager. He has passed away, but she has four brothers living in Denmark. Ravn is just one of an estimated 5,000 Greenlanders who will be able to finally discover the identities of their fathers.

And according to Sara Olsvig (Inuit Ataqatigiit), a member of the parliament in Greenland, it’s about time that the law changes.

“Politicians in Greenland all concur that it is essential that the legally fatherless be given the opportunity to know their fathers,” Olsvig told Kristeligt Dagblad.

Bus company Movia says Copenhagen residents never embraced climbing the stairs of two-storey buses

T

HE DOUBLE-decker bus hasn’t quite had the same effect here as it has in London. For while the world famous two-storey buses in England have become a iconic symbol of British identity, it’s been nothing more than an irritant to the Danish public.

“It’s not been a great experience,” Torsten Rasmussen, bus company Movia’s area manager for Greater Copenhagen, told Jyllands-Posten newspaper.

“We’d hoped that the introduction of the double-decker in the capital would help us stand out from the crowd. Instead, it’s just created a state of inflexibility.”

For while the red bus may

have worked wonders for London’s heavy traffic congestion, Movia’s yellow versions haven’t caught on with Copenhagen commuters.

“People just don’t use the upper level,” Rasmussen said.

“So instead of using the additional seating upstairs, commuters simply cram themselves onto the first floor, where there are hardly any seats to begin with.”

On top of that, Movia’s seventeen double-decker buses that are currently on the roads are too big to fit under some of the city’s bridges.

“This means that doubledecker buses have to be rerouted, making them less advantageous than the single-deck buses that are already in place,” Rasmussen said.

Movia has as a result decided to retire the double-deckers and replace them with a new prototype that stretches to almost

COLOURBOX

Failure to grasp the double-decker bus leads to their demise

The dude up top must be from Gladsaxe

14 metres, which is two metres longer than the norm.

But Rasmussen refused to accept that the failed endeavour has been a complete fiasco.

“I’m sure that the commuters coming in from suburban areas like Gladsaxe enjoyed sit-

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ting on the second floor,” he told Jyllands-Posten. “And whenever the bus stopped outside of a kindergarten, the kids would rush up the stairs to the top floor.

But, all said, it’s better that we revert back to using single-deck buses in the future.” (BSM)

PRIVATE PHOTO

Greenlanders win right to know fathers

63-year-old Carl Robinson was crushed when a trash lorry careened out of control on Strøget

City sued over tourist’s runaway lorry death

RAY WEAVER “Uncle Carl” was crushed by the vehicle while shopping for gifts for his family

T

HE FAMILY of Carl Robinson, the 63-year-old American tourist who was crushed to death in August by a malfunctioning garbage lorry on Copenhagen’s Strøget pedestrian street, have sued the city.

“I have sent a letter asking the city of Copenhagen to acknowledge responsibility for the accident,” the family’s lawyer in Denmark, Søren Kroer, told Ekstra Bladet newspaper. “I expect them to quickly acknowledge responsibility so we can begin estimating the amount of damages.”

A representative for the city acknowledged that the letter had been received and that the city would shoulder its responsibility for the incident.

“We have told them over the telephone that we recognise our liability,” said Martin Nordrup Andersen of Copenhagen’s public works department. “Our responsibility is spelled out in the

traffic laws.”

The accident occurred after a city sanitation worker parked the vehicle and left it unattended while on his rounds emptying rubbish bins on Strøget. An inspector reported that a sensor in the driver’s seat that disengages the vehicle’s motor when it is unoccupied may have malfunctioned and caused the vehicle to accelerate.

Mark Scurti, a long-time friend from Robinson’s hometown of Baltimore, Maryland, said people are still in shock over Robinson’s sudden and bizarre death.

“Over 100 people attended Carl’s memorial service and shared stories about his life and how he touched so many people,” said Scurti. “People came from all parts of his life, from his childhood days through his later years. Having recently retired, he was looking forward to spending more time with his friends and traveling to see more of the world.”

Robinson was hit and dragged several metres before the vehicle stopped when it hit a wall.

Congestion committee finding few solutions Conflicting interests blamed for lack of progress in finding solutions to worsening traffic

M

EMBERS of the committee established to find ways to reduce Copenhagen’s traffic warn that little progress is being made in finding solutions, according to public broadcaster DR. The 24-person congestion committee was established after the government failed to garner enough political backing to follow through with an election promise to introduce a congestion charge for traffic into and out of Copenhagen.

But according to sources in the committee, few alternative solutions have yet been found to tackle the city’s worsening traffic.

“If you’re waiting for a big proposal that can be adopted instead of the congestion change, you will be disappointed,” an

anonymous committee member told DR. Another committee member, Morten Kabell (Enhedslisten) from the City Council, also warned that the committee may fail.

“I fear that the congestion committee won’t be able to make any of the big decisions that are necessary if we want to solve Copenhagen’s traffic problems,” he told DR. The city’s congestion zone was particularly disliked by lead opposition party Venstre, which argued that the toll would damage Copenhagen’s businesses.

Venstre MP Martin Geertsen told DR that the commission was always going to face problems finding solutions because its members – which include both pro-business and pro-environmental lobby groups – have too many conflicting interests.

“It was overwhelmingly

naïve to believe that we would be getting anything out of this bureaucratic monster,” Geertsen said.

The transport minister, Henrik Dam Kristensen (Socialdemokraterne), still believes, however, that the commission will be ready to deliver concrete proposals when they reach their 1 January 2013 deadline.

“I am convinced that the main ideas that the commission presents will both seem obvious to most of us but will also be a little surprising and alternative,” Kristensen told DR. “What we then need to ensure is that the ideas become a reality and that requires a combination of finances and will.”

Urban mobility experts Copenhagenize Consulting recently criticised the commission for reducing the city’s ambitions to move more commuters onto bicycles. (PS)

News

The Copenhagen Post cphpost.dk

19 - 25 October 2012

7

Air Force makes redaction blunder in Libya report Mars has Colourbox

Christian Wenande & Peter Stanners An under-prepared NATO and the use of Israeli weapons among the issues conveyed in a report sent by the Danish tactical command

T

he PR staff at the Danish Air Force Tactical Command (FTK) is likely working overtime after a confidential report concerning the 2011 NATO campaign in Libya obtained by Politiken newspaper revealed Danish criticism of NATO’s intelligence capacities and FTK’s decision to purchase precision-bomb munitions parts from Israel.

But FTK’s tremendous redaction blunder made when giving Politiken the report could have made things even worse.

FTK sent a PDF file in which large portions of the text were blacked out to protect classified material, but journalists at the newspaper removed the black-out themselves with a simple click of a button, revealing highly sensitive information about the Libya campaign.

Henrik Røboe Dam, a major general at FTK, was quick to apologise for the embarrassing blunder, and forecasted a change to their redaction protocol.

“It was a mistake that it was so easy to expose the redaction.

I’m not sure at this point how

The FTK report indicated that Denmark obtained Israeli parts for their F-16 precision bombs in Libya

easy it was, but it happened and we have to alter our procedures in the future,” Dam told Politiken.

“The procedure will be changed so that people won’t be able to circumvent our black-outs.”

But while Politiken chose not to reveal the classified parts of the report that were supposed to be redacted, the remainder of the document indicated that the NATO-run operation in Libya didn’t progress as smooth as conveyed by military officials at the time.

The report criticised NATO’s lack of military intelligence that meant that Denmark could not accurately assess the level of collateral damage inflicted on the civilian population as a result of its bombing campaign. As

Krøyers Plads

a result, Denmark had to slow down its bombing operations.

The problems arose after the Air Force was moved from American to NATO leadership on 31 March 2011. Before the switchover, Denmark’s missions were guided by the US, which had superior military intelligence.

“NATO’s command structure was not ready to lead an operation such as Operation Unified Protector when the Libya operation began,” the FTK’s report said. “NATO did not have sufficient access to tactical information to support the operation.”

Denmark contributed six F-16 fighter jets and about 110 staff to the mission against Libya

from the Italian air base on the island of Sigonella. Over the next seven months, the Danish jets flew some 600 missions and dropped 923 precision bombs.

NATO’s problems with intelligence gathering are no secret and NATO’s secretary general, and Denmark’s former PM, Anders Fogh Rasmussen has publicly acknowledged the problem.

“We recognise that we need more of that capacity,” Rasmussen said in May when signing new contracts for drones. “We are now closing that hole.”

But despite the reduction of bombing missions due to the lacking intelligence, Danish F-16 jets were still active to the point that they ran out of ammunition and were forced to acquire munitions from the US and the Netherlands.

The ammunition deficiency problem eventually forced the Danish Air Force to seek precision-bomb munitions parts from Israel, a highly controversial move given that the NATO mission in Libya was backed by the Arab League, which consists of many member states that have less than amicable political relations with Israel.

Ibrahim Sharqieh, the deputy director of the Brookings Institution’s Qatar office, contended that the news could further hamper Denmark’s already tarnished image in the Middle East.

“It’s highly peculiar that

Denmark has acted in this manner. Everyone knows that Israel is a very sensitive subject in the Middle East and it seems completely foolish that they would use Israeli weapons during controversial bombing campaigns of an Arab country,” Sharqieh told Politiken.

But Peter Bartram, Denmark’s Chief of Defence, maintained that the military was not in the habit of dictating foreign policy.

“A fighter jet is not just a fighter jet. There are various configurations and not all nations have the exact ammunition types that fit Danish planes,” Bartram told Politiken. “As a result, only a few select countries are relevant.”

Thus far, no Danish politician has admitted to knowing about the Danish planes using Israeli munitions. The defence minister at the time, Gitte Lillelund Bech (Venstre), said that while she gave the go-ahead to purchase or loan parts and ammunition from the Netherlands and Poland, she vehemently denied ever hearing anything about Israeli munitions.

Denmark’s involvement in NATO arguably surpasses the country’s small size. In the spring, Denmark spearheaded efforts to raise 100 million kroner to fund the Afghan security force following the withdrawal of allied ISAF forces by 2015.

landed

T

he distant and elusive planet Mars has come a little closer to home thanks to the Natural History Museum, which is exhibiting a piece of a meteorite originally from the Red Planet.

Weighing about 186 grams, the Martian rock is about the size of a child’s fist and was part of seven-kilo meteorite which impacted in southern Morocco in 2011. It was acquired by the Natural History Museum for the price of about 744,000 kroner.

Mars meteorites are exceptionally rare on Earth, with only about two freshly-fallen Denmark’s own Mars mete- piece of Mars orites found each century. Most of the large pieces of the 2011 meteorite were quickly obtained by larger museums in the US and Europe.

“It is wonderful that we, as a Danish museum, have such a rare piece of Mars. The meteorite is perfect as an exhibition piece because it’s the real thing.

And in terms of research it could answer some of the great questions such as whether there was life on Mars,” Henning Haack, a lecturer at the Natural History Museum said. (CW)

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8

OPINION

THE COPENHAGEN POST CPHPOST.DK

19 - 25 October 2012

Mission: undefined Using art to understand madness Staging a play about Anders Breivik keeps our attention firmly on someone we’d like to forget, but shouldn’t

F

ORTUNATELY for history, madmen tend to be vain.

Out of a need to leave behind a legacy, people like Hitler, America’s Unabomber, mass murder Anders Behring Breivik and many of the world’s other great troublemakers have penned long-winded tirades that form the blueprints to their actions.

The question that inevitably faces those left to contemplate their deeds is whether it does more damage to draw attention to a delusional and incoherent work than it does to just forget it entirely.

There are those that believe that with Breivik behind bars his story has come to a close, and for them the best thing to do is shred his 1,500-page document. It’s easy to understand why they’d be repulsed at the prospect of a play based solely on his hatred. But, it’s hard to imagine how a performance at a 50-seat Copenhagen theatre can do more to spread his message further than it already has.

Critics of the play are right to argue that we shouldn’t be giving Breivik a platform to spread his message. Unfortunately, he’s already duped us into giving him the biggest stage imaginable, first by attracting hordes of journalists in the immediate aftermath of his terrorist acts, and then by ensuring that his trial became a media frenzy of global proportions.

Just as it is wrong to ban ‘Mein Kampf ’ out of fear that it will lead people down the path to Nazism, so too would it be wrong to say that staging ‘Manifesto 2038’ somehow condones Breivik’s actions. His work already exists; those truly seeking to justify Breivik’s actions won’t shy away from referring to it for guidance. The rest of us shouldn’t shy away from trying to understand what his motivation was.

The question of whether to stage the play would be easier if men like Anders Behring Breivik were lightning strikes – impossible to predict, impossible to defend against. But in the eyes of director Christian Lollike they aren’t, and for him the existence of the manifesto proves that. The question for him isn’t so much whether we should be allowing Breivik’s words to be turned into a play, as much as how we can prevent them from being used by someone else as a blueprint for a similar act of evil.

COMMANDER JOHANNES RIBER NORDBY

R

ECENT discussions about the military have focused on its structure.

But what we should be asking ourselves is why a modern state like Denmark needs a military at all. Focusing the discussion on what the military should look like, rather than on the types of missions it should be carrying out, leaves people with the impression that the military lives a life of its own.

A military is just one tool a state can use to further its foreign policy, along the same lines as diplomacy, negotiation or aid. The military and political decision makers have a close relationship, and final control of the military rests in the hands of elected officials; without political decisions, there would be no military mis-

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ing our sovereignty, particularly in the Arctic. Or, is it all of the above?

What does parliament expect of the military? Asking it to simply carry on with its current missions is the easy way out. Does parliament expect that Denmark should be able to deploy a battalion-size force at any time, have a frigate continuously at sea and be able to send fighter jets into

What does Denmark want to use its military for? action on short notice? Don’t hold your breath waiting for an answer. The discussion right now is focused on the military’s structure, not on what it needs to be able to succeed. Which political goals should the military be prepared to help accomplish?

Our educational system and our health system have clear political goals. For schools, it’s offering the world’s best education.

For our hospitals, it is providing a diverse range of treatments. But, when it comes to the military, the goals – ‘enforce sovereignty’ and ‘take part in international UN and NATO operations’ – are so broadly defined that they are al-

most meaningless. What does it mean to enforce sovereignty in the Arctic? Is it even necessary to do so in Denmark? What are international operations? Do they include offensive military operations, like in Afghanistan? Or are they just peace keeping missions, like in Cyprus? There is a world of difference between using fighters to enforce your sovereignty and having them on standby to take part in pre-emptive strikes.

And, if Denmark sees its security policy in terms of NATO, why is the military contributing to capacity building in eastern Africa and carrying out naval operations outside of the NATO structure?

If the military were an insurance policy, our policy would insure us full-coverage, without actually indicating what that included. If parliament wants such a policy, it at least needs to state its expectations clearly. Only once that happens can we begin to discuss budget, force size and base alignment. As it is right now, we’ve avoided the toughest question and simply asked the military to carry on as normal, and instead focused on its organisation. Lawmakers should be careful what you wish for, however.

They just might get it.

The author is a navy commander and a military analyst with the Danish Institute for International Studies.

READER COMMENTS Dual citizenship delayed at least another year

Denmark’s only English-language newspaper

sions. In the end, all tasks carried out by the armed forces are determined by politicians. Be it Arctic search and rescue, protecting Libya’s civilian population, or fighting Afghan insurgents, military missions are political when put into action. The level of resources the state throws behind such actions depends not on the size of the mission, but on the goal the state hopes to achieve.

But questions remain. What does Denmark want to use its military for? What is our national security policy? What threats are we seeking to neutralise? What are the values we want to promote, and how should we do so?

These are the topics we should be discussing, but aren’t.

If Denmark views its security policy in a NATO perspective, then what strategy are we planning? Should this strategy be reflected in our contributions to NATO operations, such as ballistic missile defence, or should we focus on supporting individual NATO members in the expectation that this can later be cashed in for political influence? Or, is it the strategy that Denmark should be able to contribute to each and every operation the UN Security Council approves? And what would such a decision mean for the tasks we ask the military to carry out. Or, is the military’s role more of a territorial one, in which it is responsible for enforc-

Of course politicians have no real interest in working on something that makes sense and is beneficial for all involved. They would rather spend their time on how many points one should have in order to enter the paradise that Denmark is. bru_sque by website What are the actual reasons for not allowing dual citizenship? Well, apart from the obvious reason of keeping foreigners out and preventing Danes from becoming like them. It just seems so arrogant to me that you must give up ties to your own country in order to be a part of Denmark. shufflemoomin by website The DK citizenship law is mostly negative to citizens of the US and other democratic countries that are supposed to be friends with DK, so the DK law makes no sense at all! This government has broken many promises, and now this one.

I have a feeling someone told them if they passed that law they would lose votes from many nationalistic Danes, which may be why they have thrown the law proposal under a bus.

Larry Jf by website I am an extreme conservative. I want to go back to the old ways, where you could get residence papers from any land in the world just from living there a few years, or just purchasing them for a rea-

sonable price. Joking, but I have no problem with being like a sea captain with three or four sets of papers. When did this policy begin of demanding an apparently fanatical loyalty to the artificial institution of the nation-state? Whence of making it into a bureaucratic odyssey, designed to probe either your loyalty or your cunning and dishonesty? loroferoz by website Government backs off paternity leave promise Er, excuse me, but is this communist regime stark staring bonkers?

What god-given right do couples have to be subsidised for their own convenience in the mistaken belief that both parents must be allowed to get welfare for ‘lost earnings’ for months on end? The cost of your family is your own, my friends, not mine as a tax-payer. theoldjanus by website Three months paid leave is expensive for the government. It doesn’t mean us new fathers can’t take three months off without pay.

Buzzy Sørensen

by Facebook It is very easy for a government to promise and promise without keeping an eye on the COST of what is pormised. But when it comes to budgets and facing reality, all promises are broken. We live in a very hard era, and it will also be hard for the Nordic countries. You cannot expect Greece, Italy, Spain and other European countries to die on the threshold of your house

without everyone suffering the consequences! We are in the same ‘room’, and if one is sick, the others will be also. It is time to spend money in the most rational way, being aware that having it all is not possible. We need to decide which parts of welfare are fundamental for us, and which parts we can let go.

The times for crazy public expenditure are gone, probably forever!

Vale Liuska

by Facebook I can’t believe people are actually shocked that a government, ANY government, would go back on a promise! That’s a good one…

Joleen Greenland

by Facebook Families affected by Metro noise asked to share one apartment It is not “some inconvenience” for those who live closeby. I know this noise, I once had to put up with it for two years. it was so hard and loud that the glass panes shook.

The babies in the neighbourhood were so upset all the time that they would cry their guts out, to their torture and extra noise for the rest.

In the spring and summer, it was literally impossible to open the windows, unless you wanted to choke on the dust, let alone the noise that could drive you mad in minutes. Some were lucky enough to spend the mornings away from that chaos, at work, but I was a freelancer and worked from home.

It’s not “some inconvenience”, it is hell right here on earth.

Nena Pap by website

I moved out of Aksel Mollers Have literally five minutes before they started digging! I moved there many years ago and purchased an apartment because of the beautiful little park outside the front window.

That same window today is in the shadow of an 8m fence about 4m away from the window! The park and the birds have been replaced by a nightmare of machinery and ugliness, noise and dust, for the next 8 years! The metro company lied to all of those in the pre-construction meeting about noise levels and other ‘inconveniences’. I would not call this an inconvenience, it’s more of a tragedy. Nobody living in the immediate proximity is getting any compensation, only a metro station with all the bikes, dirt, noise and thousands of people that come with it.

Ivana Sliskovic Skovgaard by website Perhaps one could take the perspective that our wise leaders have generously started a project to bring more public transportation into Copenhagen that will help eliminate the need for personal automobiles and enhance the city’s green aura. It will require that some of the city residents, for a limited time, will have to sacrifice some their personal comforts for the overall good of our society. After the metro has been established, they will have, themselves, increased personal comforts in terms of being close to the metro and their neighbourhood’s increased property values Thorvaldsen by website

OPINION

THE COPENHAGEN POST CPHPOST.DK

19 - 25 October 2012

Food for thought

A MacCarthy’s World

BY CLARE MACCARTHY Clare MacCarthy is Nordic correspondent for The Economist and a frequent contributor to The Financial Times and The Irish Times. She’ll go anywhere from the Gobi Desert to the Arctic in search of a story. The most fascinating thing about Denmark, she says, is its contradictions.

CHANCE request a few years ago caused me to wander off my usual business and politics beat into an area I had previously ignored: food writing. It was the spring of 2009 and the relatively unknown restaurant Noma had shocked the foodie world by leaping from anonymity to the title of third best restaurant in the world.

The Financial Times rang and asked if I could I do a restaurant review the following evening? No can do, said I, explaining that it was my husband’s 50th birthday and we had already booked a family table elsewhere. But once I heard the name of the restaurant the FT wanted reviewed I agreed to cancel my cheapo bistro reservation and go to Noma on the condition that the kids could come too.

It was an unforgettable, magical evening. Never before had I encountered food prepared with such painstaking attention to detail. Each of the ten or twelve dishes we worked our way through was a feast for the eye and the taste buds. Ingredients we had never heard of before were combined with familiar staples to produce stunningly innovative flavours. Advanced culinary

techniques were deployed to produce emulsions and reductions and frozen foams that assaulted the senses in a glorious feast of flavour. From first sight and first bite we were converts to the new Nordic movement.

As we made to leave, Noma coowner René Redzepi stunned us with a present of a birthday cake for my husband. (I had told the restaurant of the celebration in order to secure a table at such short notice.) It was a lovely gesture and much appreciated. And, of course, it was delicious.

Our night at Noma was the start of an extremely tasty sideline. Though I had never written about food before, I’ve always been interested. As a cook, I’m only so-so, but as a consumer I’m willing to try anything, be it polar bear soup (Greenland) or jellied camel’s hump (China). And like a lot of other people, my bookshelves groan under the weight of too many cookbooks.

So for me, visiting fine dining establishments for free and then getting paid for it seemed like a dream come true. By judiciously checking out the restaurant scene in any city I was about to visit, and cajoling food editors to pick up the

tab, I notched up more than my share of Michelin-starred eateries.

Along with all manner of exotic ingredients, by talking to chefs I became familiar with esoteric equipment like Pacojets and Thermomixers and I learned to understand advanced techniques like sous-vide cooking and blast freezing.

It was a great affair. But then, just as abruptly as it started, it ended. The reason was another unexpected assignment that also led me onto a new journalistic track – a trip to northern Ghana to see the World Food Programme in action.

Prior to this trip, I had only marginal experience of the developing world and that came from attending the odd conference where men in suits spoke of billions of dollars. I had never been in the field before. It was an eye-opener.

Close to the border with Burkina Faso (one of the world’s poorest countries), the WFP and the Ghanaian government were running an impressively successful joint project to boost girls’ participation in education. The formula was simple: by providing one square meal a day for children in school and providing a little extra for the rest of

9

their families, hundreds and thousands of parents were induced to send their daughters to school instead of working in the fields or being married off at 13.

By learning to read and write, these girls improved their own prospects and, by extension, the economic prospects of their communities. This is development aid that works – a relatively small capital outlay in return for a sustainable future.

Meeting these kids in the roughand-ready schools around Tamale taught me more than I ever learned from studying cookbooks and interviewing chefs. It taught me the real value of food. And it made me question my own tipsy, hedonistic pursuit of Michelin stars.

So I stopped writing about food.

Call me a coward, but I just can’t stomach any more foodie writing. Noma and its ilk are still wonderfully innovative and exciting, but in a world where 7.6 million children under five die every year from preventable causes, penning articles about haute cuisine seems an exercise in narcissism. I’m not a total ascetic – I love the conviviality of a good meal out. But these days, I pay for my own food. And I never write about it.

Relax, we’ll squeeze you for your dime

S

Christian Values

BY CHRISTIAN WENANDE Christian Wenande’s Danish/American background caters well to a city brimming with cultural diversity and strife. The CPH Post journalist loves life in Copenhagen but yearns for the indomitable mountains, rolling prairie and starry nights of his Wyoming sanctuary.

CANDINAVIA’S crown jewel of the skies recently announced a nearly nine percent passenger increase for the month of September, a formidable accomplishment given the financial woes endured by many other Danish stalwarts these days. But only days later, SAS declared that, in future, beverages – aside from water, tea and coffee – would cost money if asked for outside meal time when travelling in economy class.

Apparently some genius at the Stockholm headquarters decided that their customers weren’t already shelling out enough, and SAS will begin charging 20 kroner for a soft drink.

SAS contends that the move will mean fewer drinks consumed in economy, which will reduce the aircraft’s weight and generate fuel savings. They also claim that passengers will benefit because the crew will become more ‘visible’ in the cabin as a result, whatever that means. Sounds like a cargo load of bollocks to me.

It’s the latest daft move from an airline that continues to alienate its customers as it continues on its down-

ward trajectory towards budget-airline ignominy.

Earlier this month, I went on Momondo and searched five random roundtrips from Copenhagen to New York, London, Istanbul, Barcelona and Rio de Janeiro.

SAS was beat in price by 11 different airlines to NY, 8 to London, 9 to Rio, 14 to Barcelona and 19 to Istanbul. Now, I’m no airline specialist, but wouldn’t you expect a local flag carrier to offer cheaper flights to Istanbul than the likes of Egypt Air or Swiss Air? SAS already charges more than most of its competitors for the ticket, and now they want to charge luxuriant prices for drinks to boot? In 2009, US Airways was forced to abandon its policy of charging for drinks following uproar from passengers. Apparently the Scandinavians didn’t bother learning from the Americans’ lesson.

As someone who enjoys silence when embarking on voyages, sitting in the ‘no sound’ compartments of the trains to avoid audible irritants, you can imagine my unbridled glee when SAS announced brilliant idea number

I’m no airline specialist, but wouldn’t you expect a local flag carrier to offer cheaper flights to Istanbul than the likes of Egypt Air or Swiss Air? two: from the end of this year, people will be able to text and talk on their mobile phones during the flight. I’m sure a few social media addicts leapt for joy at the news, but I can say with a reasonable degree of confidence that the idea is a dubious one at best. One of the last bastions of defence against social-media induced aggravation has been compromised.

We all yearn for sitting in the vicinity of some narcissistic jackass who feels self-important when he’s yapping on the phone about some high-profile meeting in Hong Kong or whatnot.

You know the type, first to turn on their phones upon arrival, followed by

an abnormally boisterous conversation while filing off the plane. Usually, the ‘delightful’ banter hinges on portfolios, stock options, “Let’s do lunch” or projecting to everyone their general awesomeness. Dude, you’re sitting next to a struggling journalist in economy class, clearly you’re not Gordon Gekko.

Ah, my kingdom for a plane full of mimes and mutes.

“Relax, we’re on time”, is the SAS slogan on their website, which also conveys that they’re the most punctual airline in Europe. Patting yourself on the back for providing the most basic of passenger expectations is not something to be proud of. Treating your long-time customers, who are also struggling through a quagmire of financial duress, with a bit of respect, is. Loyalty is a two-way street. No one will pay that extra few hundred kroner to fly with SAS if they continue to compromise their product. You want to charge 20 kroner for a can of Faxe Kondi, SAS? Fine, then I want tickets priced on par with Ryan Air, because honestly, that’s the direction your service is heading.

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The Copenhagen Post cphpost.dk

19 - 25 October 2012

Peter Stanners

MP denied entry to Bahrain over Israel passport stamp A Dansk Folkeparti MP has been labelled a hypocrite for criticising Bahrain when Israel performs a similar practice

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ahrain has informed a Danish MP that he will not be granted entry into the country because his passport contains a stamp from Israel.

MP Søren Espersen (Dansk Folkeparti) was planning to travel to Bahrain in November with parliament’s Foreign Policy Committee but was told he would be barred unless he secured a second passport without an Israeli stamp.

The incident provoked a strongly worded press release from Espersen in which he condemned Bahrain’s policy.

“I think it’s about time that someone stood up to these embarrassing Arabic countries that toy with diplomats, politicians and businessmen that have ‘dared’ to visit Israel simply to

It is amazing the things Copenhagen Post interns will do for a story

indulge their perverse hatred of Israel,” Espersen said.

Espersen is vice-chairman of parliament’s Foreign Policy Committee, which the government consults before making major foreign policy decisions.

Espersen attacked Bahrain’s policy as farcical, especially given that the Bahraini authorities know full well that many MPs would be making the trip with a second passport free of Israeli stamps.

“We are constantly having to dance around and accommodate these absurd Islamic states that, despite accepting our economic support, still make the unreasonable demands that we should arrive with ‘clean’ passports,” Espersen said.

Despite being offered a second passport by the Foreign Ministry, Espersen has decided not to participate in the trip.

Espersen was quickly criticised for being hypocritical given that Israel performs an identical policy and bars entry to visitors with stamps from countries such as Iran and Lebanon.

Fathi Il-Abed, chairman of the Danish-Palestinian Friendship Society, argued that Espersen knew full well what the circumstances for travel were like in the Middle East.

“Recently I met a vice president from the German company Siemens. He had held a presentation about his company in Iran.

He then wanted to go to Israel on a business trip but was rejected after a five-hour wait,” Il-Abed told Jyllands-Posten newspaper.

Il-Abed also explained how Danish-Palestinians were routinely barred entry to Israel for having Lebanese stamps in their passports.

court,” she said. “Here, they are more welcome.”

But that’s not quite the German take. According to a German Interior Ministry spokesperson, many consider Denmark’s marriage regulations “unbureaucratic” because they only take into account Danish law when marrying bi-national couples.

The EU requires that couples provide proof of identification, proof they entered the country legally and, when applicable, finalised divorce papers from any previous marriages.

Germany also requires a court-reviewed document stating the foreigner is not married in their home country. Denmark does not, and Germans looking to bypass this often-debilitating obstacle are capitalising on Denmark’s leniency – and adding to the country’s capital.

“There’s income for the hotels, the ferry, the florist. Many of these people will come back and visit us, so it’s really good for the future, too,” Jørgen Otto Jøgensen, an employee at the tourist office, told AFP. Hairdresser Margit Nørby

can testify to that. She charges roughly 100 euros for a wedding-do.

“Some [of the brides] really want big hair and they come with big dresses and make a big deal out of it,” Nørby told AFP. Thirty-seven year-old Benjamin Krause came to Ærø to marry his Japanese girlfriend Natsuko Kubota.

Kraus expressed disappointment at not being able to marry in his hometown, but not enough to overshadow his successful marriage.

“There is some disappointment, but I’m happy for the European community to be able to just hop over the border, do it here and be home again tomorrow,” he told AFP. “I think the [German] government just needs to get used to it, that everything is more international these days, and you have to make it easier for people who want to marry.”

Kubota praised Denmark’s openness.

“It’s just two people who want to be together, to get married,” she said. “Why make it so complicated?” (HB)

Folketinget

Peter Stanners

Espersen called Arabic countries “embarrassing” and “absurd”

Attention foreigners: speed dating service is seeking you Denmark: ‘Europe’s Las Vegas’ Henry Butman New speed-dating service targets international as well as Danish singles, but the native tongue still triumphs

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n the second floor of Café Sommersko in the city centre, a group of thirty singles stand divided by gender in a giddy, apprehensive silence reminiscent of a first school dance. But these are grown men and women, aged roughly 26-34, and this is no dance. It’s the first ever speed dating event from seeqone.com, a service that has made it a point to attract internationals, instead of only Danes.

So far, not so good. When the evening’s host chimed the guests to attention and asked how many in the crowd didn’t speak Danish, only two men – including your dedicated Copenhagen Post intern – raised their hands.

A small handful of participants had originally come from some foreign land, but the most popular place of origin, by far, was “all the way from Jutland”.

Over the course of the two hours, however, which included an introduction, an intermission, and fifteen ‘dates’ lasting about five minutes a piece, the language barrier played as little a role as it does in daily life for non-Danish-speaking Copenhageners, marginally fumbling the flow of only two conversations. And one of them was with a cop, so who’s to say it would have gone well anyway.

In that light, lacking common language simplified the premise. After each date, I asked myself if I really cared whether or not that person understood me.

If so, I checked the ‘Yes’ box, indicating interest in another date.

A ‘No’, meant I had no interest, and with ‘Friend’, I think everyone took it to mean ‘Whatever’.

It seemed obvious that ‘friends’ you meet while speed dating aren’t friends, they’re back-ups.

If you got a ‘match’ – either a ‘Yes’/ ‘Yes’ or ‘Yes’ / ‘Friend’ (for a ‘Friend Match’) combination – a follow up email after the event provided the email address and phone number of your matches to facilitate further meet-ups.

The only drawback of being one of few foreigners was fifteen times answering the question, “What brings you to Copenhagen?” But fortunately the question primed my sales pitch, while other daters were left to make cold calls. By the end of the event, it was hard not to consider myself as a marketable product.

As a result, speed dating is much more exhausting than its slower counterpart. It’s impossible to remember exactly who you’ve met and what they’ve said, what you’ve said and who you’ve said it to. My scorecard had scattered notes about the dates that I used to check the ‘Yes’ box twice, sure I was recalling accurately one of the two dates. But alas, when my results email arrived, I had sadly only achieved back-up status.

If you’re new to Copenhagen, looking to meet people and have an open mind, seeqone.com’s speed dating event is a good place to start.

But until more foreigners find their way to the events, expect to have to answer the question: “So, are you at least trying to learn Danish?”

Lenient laws for marrying binational couples makes Denmark a haven for Germans and their foreign fiancees

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here’s a booming business on the island of Ærø, bringing in nearly seven million kroner a year: marrying Germans and their born-elsewhere beaus.

The business, also highly profitable in other towns and cities throughout Jutland and southern Denmark, has earned the area the title of ‘Europe’s Las Vegas’.

According to Agence FrancePress (AFP), some 6,000 couples come to Denmark to take advantage of its less bureaucratic wedding laws each year.

All of the weddings that take place on Ærø comply with EU regulations, according to registrar Joan Lykke Ammersbøll, who told AFP that it’s a difference in the two nation’s mentalities toward weddings.

“In Germany, there’s a distance between the people working at the courts and those who are going there to marry.

They feel like they are sitting in

Online this week Check our fruits and veggies, supermarkets ask ministry In the past year, Berlingske newspaper estimates that 45,000 Danes have suffered from food poisoning after having eaten imported fruits and vegetables.

This has led supermarkets to call on the government to implement tougher safety checks on foreign produce in order to protect the public from diseases like

salmonella. It’s been suggested that fruit should go through a ‘case-by-case’ control, similar to the system which is used to ensure the quality of meats. But the food minister, Mette Gjerskov (Socialdemokraterne) disagreed with the call for increased controls, saying that the current system is sufficient.

Media deal strengthens public broadcasters Broad political backing was secured for a media deal last week that will see an effective price freeze on the media licence, as well as more money for children’s and regional programming. All parties, except for the libertarian party Liberal Alliance, supported the agreement, which also included a variety of initiatives

to strengthen domestically produced programming by the public broadcasters DR and TV2.

In a press release Michael Christiansen, the chair of DR’s board, praised lawmakers for backing the plan. “It strengthens DR as a public-service institution when it is founded on the broadest possible democratic base,” he said.

Toyota recalls 16,000 cars in Denmark In what will be the largest single car recall since 1996, Toyota is set to call in millions of its cars worldwide in order to fix a faulty window switch in 12 different models. The recall is expected to affect some 16,000 vehicles in Denmark. Danish

consumers should expect a letter within the next six weeks from the national vehicle tax authorities telling Toyota owners how to go about getting their vehicle repaired. The affected Toyota models in Denmark are the Auris, Corolla, RAV4 and the Yaris.

Read the full stories at cphpost.dk

COMMUNITY

THE COPENHAGEN POST CPHPOST.DK

19 - 25 October 2012

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Saluting the six Miss Octobers whose sunflowers lit up Østerbro PHOTOS: CLIVE THAIN

WORDS: BEN HAMILTON

Saturday October 13 was the date on the calendar, and the occasion was the final night of the Copenhagen Theatre Circle’s ten-day run of Calendar Girls at Krudttønden theatre in Østerbro, a production that according to many group members was their best in recent memory. Four of the ten performances completely sold out. Pictured here is Annie Tranter, the daughter of CTC member Sarah Cox, with an apt celebratory cake in the shape of a bra – the very item that six cast members went without in the name of an extremely good cause

The cast take a well-deserved bow. Pictured with them (seventh from left) is Lars Kjeldsen, the head of Rigshospitalet’s Department of Haematology, the proud recipient of half the production’s profits. The money will be spent on cancer and blood-related research projects

One of the Calendar Girls, Tine Juul, raises a glass to a great after-party at which the CTC and friends sat down to a splendid buffet and even more entertainment

Director Barry McKenna (left) was very much in demand at the after-party − a CTC tradition that often gets pretty lively after a few vinos – and even more so on stage later for a surprise performance

Maria Lundbye, another CG, catches up with Sophie Bachet, who continues to keep a close eye on Brendan O’Gorman (centre), her onstage beau in ‘Allo Allo’

The ravishing Rebecca Vaa (right), who played Elaine (sadly not a CG), shares her final night elation with a friend afterwards

Debbie Taylor, a standout as the Women’s Institute dictator Marie, catches up with Steve Taylor

Vanessa Poole, another of the CGs, with Tye Segel, who appears to be showing off about his own calendar shoot

CTC chairman Frank Theakston, following his directorial success with ‘The Good Doctor’ in the spring, was a proud onlooker this time around

“I don’t think there’s anything on this planet that more trumpets life that the sunflower.” Handkerchief alert!

What a fantastic spread! Gawd, the number of times she’s heard that

Nathalie Bessonnet lent the after-party entertainment a certain frolicsome French flair

Gaby Neubert-Luckner doing her best Lady Bracknell impression

We’d like to say we caught up with Vanessa Poole late in the evening, but we’d be lying

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COMMUNITY

THE COPENHAGEN POST CPHPOST.DK

19 - 25 October 2012

ABOUT TOWN PHOTOS BY HASSE FERROLD UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED

The big man himself, Arnold Schwarzeneggner, was in town last week on Thursday to present the 2012 Sustainia Award. Perhaps ill-advisedly drawing attention to one of his less memorable roles, Big Arnie described the award winners, British Azuri Technologies, who won for their Indigo solar solution built for homes in the developing world, as the “real action heroes”.

The Japanese and Norwegian embassies on Monday organised ‘The Secrets behind Sushi Making’, an event at the Japanese ambassador’s residence that invited chefs and restaurant managers to attend and learn authentic ways of making the cuisine. Pictured here are (second left-right): Copenhagen deputy mayor for culture, Pia Allerslev, Japanese ambassador Toshio Sano, Masayoshi Kazato, the head of the ALSA Sushi Skills Institute and Norway’s new ambassador Ingvard Havnen (see below)

The Iranian ambassador Morteza Damanpak-Jami (second from right) is bidding farewell to Denmark to take up a position at his country’s foreign ministry. Last week on Wednesday, several of his counterparts turned up to a reception at his residence in Hellerup to pass on their regards, including (left-right) Armenian ambassador Hrachya Aghajanyan, Nepalese ambassador Mukti Nath Bhatta and Indian ambassador Ashok Kumar Attri

The new ambassador of Chile is Juan Salazar Sparks.¡Hola!

The new ambassador of Luxembourg is Gerard Philipps. Moëin!

The new ambassador of Norway is Ingvard Havnen. Hallo! Or should that be halo?

Harry Burton discusses Harold Pinter

Running around the lakes

COMING UP SOON Krudttønden, Serridslevvej 2, Cph Ø; Wed Nov 7, 18:15-20:00; register at www.bccd.dk, event@bccd.dk, or 3118 7558

Harry Burton, an actor and director who was a close acquaintance of the late, esteemed playwright Harold Pinter, will be visiting Krudttønden theatre for a special event (with a buffet dinner no less) to talk about his friend and colleague and answer any questions afterwards. The event is being put on by the British Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with That Theatre Company & Why Not Theatre Company, whose joint production of Pinter’s Old Times will follow the talk and is included in the price of the evening (enquire with the BCCD for details). A day later, Burton will once again appear, this time to show a film about Pinter in the foyer and afterwards answer questions (with drink and snacks, admission costs 100kr).

Hard Rock Charity Event

Hard Rock Café, Vesterbrogade 3, Cph K; Thu Oct 25, 21:00; www. hardrock.com

As part of Pinktober, the Hard Rock Café Copenhagen, in co-operation with The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, The Caron Keating Foundation and other organisations, are hosting a music live event featuring Die Herren, Denmark’s best U2 cover band, to raise funds for and awareness of breast cancer.

Wine Tasting Extravaganza

Restaurant TIGHT, Hyskenstræde 10, Cph K; Fri Oct 19, 19:00; price: 350kr

The international owners of Tight Restaurant and wine company K&S introduce you to a tasting evening. Enjoy tapas, washed down by a wide selection of red and white wine.

CTC Open Stage

Cafe Cadeau, HC Ørsteds Vej 28, Frederiksberg; Fri Oct 19, 19:00; www.meetup.com/Copenhagen-Theatre-Circle

Curtains up! The stage is open for all kinds of performers from all over the world! This is the chance to show yourself and your artistic inspiration in front of an audience, which is waiting to be fascinated. Don’t forget to sign up!

Californian Wine Dinner

Kanalen Restaurant, Wilders Plads 2, Cph K; Thu Oct 25, 18:00; 950kr (max 20 guests); register at sales@californiawine.dk or 5171 0571

The Danish and American owners of export company California Wine are, in co-operation with Kanalen Restaurant, putting on an exclusive wine evening. Sample the best the Golden State has to offer over a carefully thought-out four-course menu.

Marquez’s novel in Malmo

Café Mocca, Friisgatan 4, Malmö; Fri Oct 26, 18:00; www.meetup.com/ malmo-internationals

Meet up with fellow internationals to discuss the magical realism of ‘Love in the time of Cholera’, the 1982 classic by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

Marathon sport, Østerbrogade 19, Cph Ø; Sat 20 Oct, 10:00; www.meetup. com/Copenhagen-Net

It’s getting colder, but you can warm up with a 7km jog with fellow meetup chums.

Basics of Ayurvedic Medicine

Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies, Indology, Snorresgade 17-19, U5; Oct 22, 25 & 26, 13:1515:00; zysk@hum.ku.dk, register at jacob@fabularasa.dk no later than Fri Oct 19

This is an interesting series of lectures about this alternative medicine native to India and part of Hindu culture. It will clarify what the discipline is and include hands-on demonstrations.

From Russia with love!

Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies, Section for East and Southeast European Studies, Snorresgade 17-19, U8, Monday 22; 15:1517:00

This seminar will analyse one of the most ancient literary texts of Medieval Russian Literature, written by Isidore of Kiev.

Indian dance event

Osramhuset, Valhalsgade 4, Cph N; Fri Oct 26, 20:00, Sat Oct 27, 10:0014:00; members 70kr, non-members 90kr, workshop: 350kr, register at 2649 1440; www.kulturogfritid.kk.dk

Experience Indian colours and majesty at this two-day-event that includes a dance performance and workshop, organised by the Indian Music Society, in partnership with Osramhuset.

MARIA ANTONIETTA RICCI

INSPIRATION FROM THE SPIRE

Jonathan LLoyd is the Anglican/Episcopal priest in Denmark. You can find him on your way to the Little Mermaid at St Alban’s Church, Churchillparken. This may seem like a little piece of England complete with its distinctive spire and statue of Sir Winston, but it gathers people from across the globe plus hundreds of tourists each week. Jonathan has lived in Copenhagen for the last two years and loves the place.

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ALKING THROUGH the centre of Copenhagen last Friday was a challenge, but also great fun. The weather was unusually fine and Culture Night was in full swing.

The centre of the city was packed; the hustle and bustle made for a great atmosphere. It was impossible to walk any faster than a tortoise. Outside one of the fashion

It is a wonderful expression of Danish ‘open-ness’ and also a reminder of just how much culture there is in this city shops a huge crowd had stopped in surprise to watch three live mannequins working out in the shop window – fully clothed of course. Street musicians, a clear sky, and lots of prams, buggies and bicycles, made this a fun Copenhagen night.

Culture Night is a great invention, with over 500 museums, churches and places of interest opening their doors to the public. It is a wonderful ex-

pression of Danish ‘open-ness’ and also a reminder of just how much culture there is in this city.

I found my way into the Royal Palace Museum. My brother is staying with me at the moment and I took him along. He was impressed that one of the Household Guards (with fixed bayonet) overheard us wondering where the museum entrance was, and he marched over and pointed us in the right direction.

In London, however hard the tourists try to lure the Household Guards to smile, blink, or talk, it is pretty impossible. They are trained not to respond and to stare into space. Perhaps this says something about the differences between the ‘stiff upper lip’ of us Brits, and the more casual ‘Danish way’. We were also surprised to be able to visit the royal garage and see the fine collection of cars – including an electric one – as well as the rows of tools used to fix them. No chance of this at Buckingham Palace. Although you will see some fine cars and British humour in the new James Bond movie. And 007 was of course a guest at Buckingham Palace and accompanied HM on her parachute jump!

I also enjoyed Culture Night as this is the first year in many

years that St Alban’s Church has not been open (apologies for that), but I was therefore free to explore some of the other 499 places of interest. Our church organ has been dismantled for cleaning, and we have pipes all over the church. Our little church by the Gefion Fountain has had a pretty special year. First, in March, we had Prince Charles and Camilla here for a visit and they planted a tree to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee. Then we had our 125th birthday celebrations and enjoyed the restoration of the stained glass windows. The building is of course primarily a house of prayer. But it is also a living expression of the warm British/Danish relationship. St Alban’s Church was built in 1887 through the vision of the Danish princess and English queen Alexandra. Piet Hein, the great Danish scientist, poet and designer, wrote these words: “Whatever is worth preserving in British or Danish urge, Some of the best in that two-fold zest Is found where the two converge, Not in our claims but in mutual aims When cultures of kinship merge.”

Culture is an important part of our identity, and it is great that the Danes celebrate it so fully and with such open-ness.

LIFESTYLE: WINTER GARDENING THE COPENHAGEN POST CPHPOST.DK

19 - 25 October 2012

A plan for all seasons

BY TOBY MUSGRAVE

Winter in a Danish Garden

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itting here writing on a gloriously sunny and crisp September morning, it seems somewhat premature to be thinking of the garden in its winter season. But as we all know, the cold weather can jump out and surprise gardeners earlier than expected, so it as well to be ready. Much of the winter’s work needs to be completed before the frosts really set in – once the soil freezes like iron, there is nothing to be done. And most of the work revolves around getting the garden ready for its winter sleep and preparing for next year.

is set correctly. You can help to minimise your heating bill by lagging the inside of the greenhouse with bubblewrap – I recommend the big bubble type, but don’t forget to ventilate during the day as this proce-

Beds & Borders If you have plants in the beds that will not survive a winter outdoors, for example dahlias or gladioli, once the first frost has come, dig them up, wash and dry them, and store away for the winter. A method I have found to work well is to layer them amongst wood flakes – the kind you can buy to put in the bottom of a pet cage – and store them in a big black plastic box with a clip-on lid (easily available at the likes of Sylvan).

Give all beds and borders a good weed – there is nothing more depressing in the spring, once the snow has gone, to look out on weeds! And so long as the soil remains dry enough, there is still time to dig over any borders and incorporate a whole heap of well-rotted manure (the best stuff I have found is C-Muld from Lyng Naturgodning, www.l-n-g.dk). Don’t be too eager and break the soil down, for it is best left in big clods, for when the frost comes, the water expands into ice, and helps break down the soil naturally – anything to save a bit of work!!

PHOTOGRAPH © TOBY MUSGRAVE.

Greenhouse Give the greenhouse, plus any cold frames etc that are empty, a good clean.

Disinfecting the surfaces and structure with a solution of Udendørs Rodalon will minimise the risk of pests hibernating and surviving the winter and will help clear out fungus spores – but don’t get the solution on any plants, and give the whole structure a good wash-off afterwards.

Clean glass maximises the amount of winter light getting into the house, so clean inside and out. If you can afford one (!), check your greenhouse heating system is working and the thermostat

Toby Musgrave is one of Britain’s most celebrated gardeners - both as an author, historian and design consultant - but yet he has lived in Denmark this past decade, so who better to turn to, to find out everything you need to know about preparing for and enjoying the different seasons. Find out more at www.tobymusgrave.com.

leaves will cause the grass beneath to yellow, and this leads to disease problems.

‘Scarify’ to remove all the dead grass that accumulates at ground level: the ‘thatch’. Left unchecked, a thick layer of thatch will be detrimental to grass growth and harm the natural soil organisms that feed on thatch.

The easiest way to scarify is to use a springbok rake and to drag it across the lawn quite firmly, and then again across – don’t panic if lots of

between the ‘inserts’ and the same distance between the rows.

The last lawn job is to give it a feed.

At this time of year, I prefer to use granular pellets because they stay around at soil level for longer than a liquid fertiliser, which will get washed through the soil by the autumn rains. Use a fertiliser with a high nitrogen content, so the grass can get a last burst of growth.

Patios, Paths & Deck The wet conditions can make stone/ concrete/brick paths and patios and wooden decks slippery, as green mould can start to grow over them. My advice, therefore, is to get out there and give the surfaces a good scrub down now. You can use Udendørs Rodalon, but avoid getting it on any plants. Alternatively you can use a pressure washer, but be careful you don’t damage the wood or blast out the sand between the blocks/ slabs that help keep the whole structure in situ.

Tools

dure can increase humidity levels considerably.

Lawn Before the frosts arrive, give the lawn a last trim, but set the lawnmower blades quite high, at about 5 cm.

This length of cut makes the lawn look tidy and gives the surface a bit of protection against wear and tear over the winter period. If you have not applied any material comes weedkillers out. during the past Aerating the soil below the turf six weeks, comwill improve drainage and encourage post the cuttings.

Keep raking up fallen leaves as they healthy grass growth. Simply spike the fall. Why? Because fallen leaves are lawn with a fork, inserting the fork worm food, and if they’re left, they will vertically to a depth of 10-15 cm and encourage worm casts, which can make gently levering back. Work by walkHalmtorvet 19 • The Bosch building • DK-1700 Copenhagen V +45 33 31fallen 20 00 • hej@biomio.dk • www.biomio.dk in rows, with 20-30 cm ing backwards a mess of the lawn surface.Tlf:Also,

Caroline Cain

Naturopathic Nutritionist & Reflexologist

Natural health and detox specialist guiding and motivating you to create optimal, lasting health. tel: 50 19 76 06 www.carolinecain.dk

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Don’t be lazy! Give all your tools a good clean to get all the muck off them.

Stainless steel tools should then just be wiped dry with a soft rag, but all iron tools should be given a light coating of oil to prevent rusting.

Think ahead and get your power tools serviced now (blades sharpened, engines serviced etc), but have a read of the user manuals to check if you are supposed to leave the petrol tanks dry, batteries disconnected etc.

For four weeks at a time, four times a year, our aim is to give you all the seasonal lifestyle advice you need to thrive in the areas of gardening, health, food and sport. When should you plant your petunias, when does the birch pollen season normally start, which week do the homegrown strawberries take over the supermarket, and which outdoor sports can you play in the snow? All the answers are here in ‘A plan for all seasons’.

Garden Health Next week

Lastly ...

Two last thoughts. It’s time to start feeding the birds that are foolish enough to winter over here rather that following all those sensible swallows south to Africa. And when it does freeze, remember to put water out for our feathered friends too. But at the risk of pointing out the obvious, make sure the food and water is safe from cats. Lastly, come the gloomy winter season, we all like to buy cheerful pot plants for the house and Christmas. Just remember to avoid buying any that are on a stand in the street − they will have been exposed to extremely low temperatures and will probably die in a matter of weeks. And for the same reason, when you buy plants that have been indoors, protect them from the cold on the journey home. The number of times I have seen a hypothermic Poinsettia sitting in a bike basket …!

Food Sport

Halmtorvet 19 • The Bosch building • DK-1700 Copenhagen V 19 • The Bosch building • DK-1700 Copenhagen V Tlf: +45 33 31 20Halmtorvet 00 • hej@biomio.dk • www.biomio.dk Tlf: +45 33 31 20 00 • hej@biomio.dk • www.biomio.dk

BioMio is Denmark´s largest 100% organic restaurant.

Flavoured with love, passion & purpose

GET YOUR OWN PERSONAL SPORTSGUIDE – FOR FREE! www.medarbejdermotion.dgi.dk/SportsGuides

Get your own personal guide to the local sports clubs and maybe the beginning of a Danish network Mail: CONTACT: morten.graff@dgi.dk

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sport

The Copenhagen Post cphpost.dk

19 - 25 October 2012

D

enmark’s failure to capitalise on their numerical advantage in both their 2014 World Cup qualification games against Italy and Bulgaria has left them facing possible early exit from the competition.

Tuesday night’s 3-1 defeat to Italy in Milan leaves the Danes with only two points from three games, second bottom of Group B, after they could only muster a 1-1 draw against a ten-man Bulgaria side on Friday.

Denmark started both games poorly by going behind.

And then they failed to capitalise in both matches when red cards were brandished against Bulgaria and Italy, after 26 and 45 minutes, at 0-1 and 1-2 down, respectively.

Playing away from home, each dismissal presented Denmark with an excellent opportunity to make a real statement of intent in the group. Instead, they’re now left with the real prospect of an early World Cup

Rugby code eyes league of its own Ruby Davy The country’s first ever domestic rugby league club, København RLFK, tastes defeat in their opening game

Quartet of sporting glee Christian Wenande Escape the cold in Odense, Aarhus and Herning at four topdrawer sports tournaments this weekend

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t’s that time of year again. That time when attending outdoor sporting events becomes a test of physical perseverance and the quality of your winter garments.

It’s freezing toes at the football match, clattering knees on the golf course and Baltic winds piercing even the most sturdy of Arctic jackets.

But fret not good sports enthusiast, because there are a plethora of sporting events this

weekend that will thaw those chilly bones and provide a roof and warmth to your frigid core.

In fact, Denmark will host no less than four major sporting events, in the regional cities of Odense, Aarhus and Herning.

Odense provides the ideal setting to see some of the world’s premier badminton players duel it out at the 2012 Yonex Denmark Open. The $400,000 purse will be sure to attract some of the best the game has to offer. Past winners include Lin Dan, Long Chen, Peter Gade and Xin Wang. The quarter-finals are on Friday, semi-finals on Saturday and the final is on Sunday.

And while you’re in Odense, you could pop over and check out the Olympic line-up taking

crowned the kings and queens of European badminton.

Aarhus will get in on the action as well, hosting the 9th TeamGym European Championships 2012 from October 1820. Tickets are almost sold out for the event at NRGi Arena, which features gymnasts from

12 different countries showing off their gymnastic prowess in a climax of flips, somersaults and perfect landings.

There’s plenty of action going on around the country, so ditch the heavy winter coats and woolly socks and get stuck in.

Pablo Osvaldo (centre) was dismissed 16 seconds into the second half, but Denmark failed to capitalise

ahead twice in quick succession around the half-hour mark through William Kvist and then Daniel Agger. And even after they went two goals behind, moments later they still looked dangerous, and Kvist’s volley in the final minute of the half was a well-deserved goal.

So when Italian striker Pa-

part in the first leg of the Western European League World Cup Qualifiers in dressage. Superb horsemanship will be on display as German Olympians Helen Langehanenberg and Anabel Balkenhol are entered to compete alongside Danish Olympians Nathalie zu SaynWittgenstein and Anna Kasprzak, and Dutch world champion Edward Gal. The event takes place from October 17-21.

Another sports event taking place from October 17-21 is the 2012 European Table Tennis Championships, held in Herning. Reigning men’s singles champion Timo Boll, Dimitrij Ovtcharo, Vladimir Samsonov and local legend Michael Maze will be among the 250 plus competitors duelling it out to be

I

t was a rude awakening for the country’s first ever domestic rugby league club, København RLFK, when it lost 18-30 to the Sweden Barbarians on October 6, but off the pitch it was a victory for a code of the sport that is really beginning to take off in Denmark and across Scandinavia.

It signals the intentions of rugby league enthusiasts in both Denmark and Sweden to establish a pan-Scandinavian league in 2013, which will be principally based in Zealand and Scandia.

The Danish national side thrashed Sweden 122-8 in April, and Sweden are currently the bottom-ranked nation in the world (28 to Denmark’s 27) – although a further ten countries are unranked.

But for this club game, they were better prepared, opting to recruit several experienced rugby union expats based in the region – a similar tactic to the one employed by the Danish national team for their first ever game back in 2009. In total, the Sweden Barbarians fielded 13 different nationalities and eleven current or former internationals, boasting 35 caps between them.

“Rugby league suits the natural athleticism of Scandinavian people,” enthused the Sweden Barbarians’ Scottish coach Rob Leishman.

“It is simple to learn, fun to play and great to watch – as was proven by the fantastic crowd that turned up today.”

blo Osvaldo was dismissed 16 seconds into the second half for violent conduct, the game was there for the taking. But with limited opportunities to counter, their attack became solely aerial-dependent, allowing Italy, who had sloppy Danish defence to thank for their third, to seal a comfortable win.

Denmark’s next game is a must-win fixture in March away in the Czech Republic, their main rivals for second spot. They will need to win without their most influential player on Tuesday, Kvist, who is suspended.

If they don’t win, there may be nothing left to fight for but honour.

www.london2012.com

Denmark’s failure to score more than one goal in 110 minutes with a numerical superiority leaves their 2014 World Cup dreams in tatters

exit. Bookmakers only rate them a 2/1 chance to finish in the top two, and as much as 12/1 (Bet 365) to win the group.

It could have been worse, of course. Bendtner’s 40th minute equaliser against Bulgaria spared Denmark the embarrassment of returning home pointless, and there had been reasons for optimism approaching Tuesday’s game at the San Siro.

But then a gaffe by Denmark’s coach Morten Olsen at a pre-match press conference on Monday brought unwelcome attention to his side’s cause.

Questioned by Italian media about the infamous 2-2 draw between Denmark and Sweden that saw Italy eliminated from Euro 2004, Olsen used a Danish idiom that was unfortunately lost in translation. “Tyv tror hvermand stjæler” was directly translated as “Thieves believe that all men steal” and was perceived to be a direct attack on Italian football.

The rallying cry had become an unintentional insult. It put Olsen on the back pages of the Italian newspapers a day earlier than planned and gave the Italians extra motivation to win − as if they didn’t need any more incentive.

Nevertheless, Denmark played well in the first half against Italy and nearly went

scanpix/ Liselotte Sabroe

Bjarke Smith-Myer

Iain Lednor

Missed chances in the red mist of the San Siro and Sofia

Royal watchers will be at the dressage cheering on Princess Nathalie aboard Digby

Sports news and briefs NHL Danes flock to Finland

Adios to Under-21 team

Futsal gains foothold in DK

Andreas wins Czech Harts

A Cult following

Saying bye to Lars

The ongoing NHL labour dispute has forced the league’s Danish players to ply their trade elsewhere. The New York Islanders’ Frans Nielsen, Philip Larsen of the Dallas Stars and Mikkel Bødker of the Phoenix Coyotes have all choosen to play for Finnish outfit Lukko Rauma, while the four other NHL Danes have also settled in other leagues.

Denmark’s under-21 national team failed to qualify for the Under-21 Euros on Tueday after being spanked 1-8 by Spain over two games in the playoffs. After losing 0-5 in Spain last week, Denmark lost 1-3 at home on Tuesday evening in Aalborg, despite an admirable performance.

The Danes, however, can console themselves in knowing that they ended Spain’s eight-game streak without conceding.

On September 22, The Danish Football Association hosted a FIFA futsal seminar aimed at further developing the sport in Denmark. Futsal has been the official indoor football version in Denmark since 2008, but it has proven a difficult task to incorporate the sport in some regions because of the historical perception of indoor football in Denmark – an issue that the seminar addressed.

Danish golfer Andreas Hartø won his third European Challenge Tour title by finishing top of the leader board at the inaugural D+D Real Czech Challenge Open. Hartø birdied the final four holes for a seven under par final round of 65, finishing three strokes ahead of his nearest challenger and fellow Dane, Joachim B Hansen, in the overall standings.

Denmark will soon have another cycling team, named Cult Energy, after the Danish energy drink. Ambitions for the new project are high and Cult energy drink founder Brian Sørensen boldly predicted that his team will win the Tour de France three years in a row. Cult will announce the details of the venture in a press release at the end of the week.

When Denmark take on Argentina in early November, handball fans will be able to bid farewell to legend Lars Christiansen. The former Flensburg-Handewitt and KIF star played for over two decades for the national team, winning two gold and three bronze European Championship medals and a silver and a bronze World Cup medal. He also has the records for most games (338) and most goals (1503).

Business

The Copenhagen Post cphpost.dk

19 - 25 October 2012

Denmark under pressure after Sweden cuts taxes The Danish business lobby praises Sweden’s tax cuts and suggests that Denmark follow suit

S

weden is bowing out of the long-standing competition with Denmark to have the world’s heaviest tax burden.

A strong economy and low public debt has allowed the Swedish government to cut its corporation tax and increase the tax deduction for those who work.

The result of the tax cuts, according to the liberal think-tank CEPOS, will reduce Sweden’s combined tax burden in 2013 to 43.9 percent of GDP, while Denmark’s will be 48.7 percent of GDP - the greatest gap in almost 50 years.

Sweden’s move has been congratulated by various actors in the Danish business world who argue Denmark ought to follow their neighbour’s lead.

“People abroad still think Sweden is the country with the largest public sector and the highest tax pressure,” CEPOS’s chief economist, Mads Lundby Hansen, told Jyllands-Posten.

“But that’s no longer true. Denmark occupied that role long ago. We have taken the throne and become the new Sweden.”

Denmark’s combined tax pressure has increased under the current government, which has

“You have the higher tax rate” “No, you do!” Danes and Swedes compete over more than just football

introduced a series of new taxes and levies since their election last year.

According to Hansen, Sweden’s tax reductions will only help reinforce its economic growth, which is forecast by the OECD to outpace that of Denmark.

“Sweden is now pulling away from us. They have already caught up once before with [the level of ] welfare, and OECD’s growth prognosis shows that Sweden will now experience higher growth than Denmark.

They will also maintain higher levels of welfare, and that’s not unusual with such a low tax pressure,” Hansen said, pointing out that OECD calculations

show that for every two percent the combined tax burden is increased, 1-1.5 percent of welfare is lost.

“If we reduced our tax pressure to the Swedish level, we would be able to reduce our marginal tax rate to 42 percent and the corporate tax to 12 percent,” Hansen said.

Denmark’s leading business lobby group, Dansk Industri (DI), wants to emulate Sweden’s success and reduce Denmark’s tax burden to 45 percent of GDP by 2020.

“Our combined tax burden is simply too high,” Jacob Bræstrup, DIs director of tax policy, told Jyllands-Posten.

“We need to remove the upper

Lego has toys for girls, but no seats on board Toy company, which recently launched a girls’ line, has 22 members on its newly-appointed board, all of them men

L

ego’s CEO Jørgen Vig Knudstorp, who is also one of industry advocacy group Dansk Industri’s ‘ambassadors for more women in management’, did the latter title little credit when he selected 22 new employees for the toy company’s board of directors without including a single woman.

According to public broadcaster DR, the selection has ruffled feathers internally, with employees directly questioning Knudstorp on his decision.

“There were very few women to choose from,” Knudstorp told DR in his own defense.

Lego’s upper-level management has seen a decrease in female employees in the last two years. The company told the Ministry for Gender Equality in 2010 that the company

wanted to fill 35 percent of its managerial positions, but that figure only reached 23 percent in 2012.

“It would have been quite good to have a woman in a top position,” Agnete Gamborg, Lego’s senior director of project management, told DR. “There was a natural reaction in the company when we saw that the board consisted solely of men. Many – myself included – thought: ‘Wow, come on.’”

Failing to name a single female to the board of directors comes at an awkward time for the company. Earlier this year, Lego came under a significant amount of criticism when it released a line of toys, called Lego Friends, aimed at girls.

Several online petitions popped up against the line, along with charges that it was sexist and pandered to stereotypes.

A petition on Change.org called the line “Barbielicious” and criticised the company

Many – myself included – thought: ‘Wow, come on’ for giving the toys sexist activities including “lounging at the beach, brushing their hair in front of a vanity mirror, or shopping with their girlfriends”.

Even the minister for gender equality, Manu Sareen (Radikale), jumped into the fray and accused the line of reinforcing traditional gender roles. He quickly walked back his critisim, however, apologising for “formulat[ing himself ] in a bombastic and blunt manner.”

Despite the criticism of Lego Friends, the line turned out to be a wise one for the company, ultimately selling twice as many sets as expected. (HB)

Australian Dollars AUD

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Sell

5.65

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6.06

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Buy

6.17

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7.58

0.07

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0.87

6.26

9.44

5.91

Date: 17 October 2012

Norway wants our houses, not our cheese

T

he special Scandinavian bond between Denmark and Norway may be under threat after a decision by the Norwegian government to place heavy protectionist taxes on certain foreign imports.

Foreign cheese similar to traditional soft yellow Norwegian cheese will face a 277 percent tax, while firmer varieties, such as parmesan, will be exempt.

Foreign beef will also face a 344 percent tax and lamb a staggering 429 percent tax.

The measures will put a serious dent in Denmark’s cheese trade with Norway, which is valued at about 200 million kroner a year.

Denmark is not without its own protectionism, however, especially given the ban on foreigners purchasing highly coveted Danish summer houses.

But the Danes seem to have been outwitted on this front too.

Norwegians are able to exploit a loophole that allows foreigners with “particularly strong connections to Denmark” to buy summer houses.

In the past decade, 283 Norwegians have been granted permission to buy homes, though almost 100,000 could qualify, according to Ritzau. (PS)

BRITISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN DENMARK

UK Market Access Seminar The UK is a large and close market which is attractive to many Danish businesses. Although Denmark and the UK are close trading partners, there are still differences in the way business is being conducted in the two countries and it is important that these are understood and overcome. Would you like to hear more about some of the challenges Danish companies have faced, and overcome, when entering the UK market? Are you interested in some practical advice about how to conduct business in the UK? Two events will be held jointly with the Danish UK Chamber in Aarhus and Copenhagen. Join us, and get insight into the current British business climate and how you could succeed in this market. The major considerations regarding export and capital when setting up in the UK will be outlined and some possible solutions offered. The forum will focus on sharing the experiences and knowledge gained by people and companies who have tried it. Plus, it will also be an excellent networking opportunity!

This event is free of charge for everyone. Please specify which day you would like to attend. Please note the deadline for registration is 4 November 2012.

Exchange Rates

Price in kroner for one unit of foreign currency

income tax bracket (topskat), reduce corporate tax to 15 percent and remove or reduce most of the fees and levies on consumption and business. If we want to be among the world’s richest countries again, it requires investment and growth.”

An expensive public sector and a currency crisis prompted the Swedish government to implement cost-saving methods and reforms to balance the budget in the early 1990s.

While groups such as DI think the government should emulate Sweden’s economic reform, AE, an economic policy institute and think-tank, dismissed the significance of having a higher tax burden percentage.

“If a high tax burden was bad, then all the Scandinavian countries would have ended up in the dog house long ago.

What’s important is how the money is used,” AE’s managing director, Lars Andersen, told Jyllands-Posten. “Of course we can learn from the Swedes, but it makes no difference whether our tax burden sits three percentage points higher or lower.”

Larsen added that having a high tax pressure and a big public sector does not necessarily have to burden the competitive ability of businesses. He argues that ensuring high levels of education, research, and infrastructure will all strengthen businesses.

Torben M Andersen, an economics professor at Aarhus University, said that while Sweden has emerged from the crisis better off than Denmark, the results of their tax reductions remain to be seen.

“Tax pressure as a combined number needs to be interpreted with caution when comparing between countries, although it does make sense to compare ourselves to the Swedes,” Andersen told Jyllands-Posten.

“They have managed to take control of their public spending and thus have had the economic space for certain tax reduction even though the effects have yet to take shape.”

15

Venues 14 November 2012 Delacour Dania Lille Torv 6 8000 Aarhus C Denmark 15 November 2012 Delacour Dania Langebrogade 4 1411 Copenhagen K Denmark Speakers Laura Thorborg, The Royal Danish Embassy, London Hans Monberg, UKTI, Copenhagen Bent Bang Haulrik, KapitalBørsen Martin Williams, European Business Solutions Preben Paulsen, Planova

Non-members are very welcome. Please contact BCCD or go to www.bccd.dk for further information

If you would like to attend then please send us an email (event@bccd.dk) or call +45 31 18 75 58 • official media partner Denmark’s only English-language newspaper

16

THE COPENHAGEN POST THE COPENHAGEN POST CPHPOST.DK SPOUSE EMPLOYMENT PAGE

SPOUSE: Monika Sysiak FROM: Poland SEEKING WORK IN: Greater Copenhagen / eastern Zealand QUALIFICATION: Master degree in Environmental Engineering from Cracow University of Technology. Major in Water Supply, Sewage and Waste Treatment and Water Quality Protection.

Completed one semester in Environmental Engineering at Engineering College of Aarhus.

EXPERIENCE: Internship during studies in designing water supply systems and sewerage systems.

LOOKING FOR: Graduation programme, internship, training, part time or full time job related to my qualifications.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Polish (mother tongue), English (fluent), Danish (starting).

IT-EXPERIENCE: AutoCAD, MOUSE DHI, MS Windows, MS Office.

CONTACT: EMAIL: monikasysiak@gmail.com Tel: +45 50 43 70 43 SPOUSE: Clotilde IMBERT FROM: France SEEKING WORK IN: Greater Copenhagen Qualification: Master of town planning and development and master of urban geography (Paris IVSorbonne) EXPERIENCE: 5 years in field of town planning and development: - Coordinator in urban project in a semi-public company: supervised a major urban project in Paris area (coordination of studies, acquisition of lands, worked with Planning Development of the Town Council, architects, developers to define the master plan and implement the project...); - Officer in research and consultancy firm (urban diagnosis, environmental impact assessments, inhabitants consultation...).

LOOKING FOR: A job in urban project field: planning department of Town Council or consultancy firm in town planning, environment and sustainable development, architecture firm, real estate development company.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: French (mother tongue), English (professional usage), Spanish (basic), Danish (In progress).

IT EXPERIENCE: MS Office, Abode Illustrator, AutoCad (basic), PC and Mac. CONTACT: clotilde.imbert@gmail.com SPOUSE: Chiara Stevanato FROM: Italy SEEKING WORK IN: København or nearby areas QUALIFICATION: Bachelor degree in Physics.

EXPERIENCE: Now completing the Master’s degree in Physics at Københavns Universitet.

LOOKING FOR: Research in Physics. Research projects related to scientific areas.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Written and spoken Italian, written and spoken English, written and Spoken French, very basic written and spoken Danish (still attending a second level course).

IT EXPERIENCE: Operating systems: Windows, Linux. Programming languages: basic C, C++; Python.

CONTACT: chiarasteva@gmail.com. Tel: 41681741 SPOUSE: Malgorzata Tujakowska FROM: Poland SEEKING WORK IN: Aarhus and the surrounding area QUALIFICATION: Masters in Ethnolinguistics with major in Chinese and English, Chinese HSK and Business Chinese Test certificates, 2-year long studies at Shanghai International Studies University and National Cheng Kung University,Taiwan.

LOOKING FOR: Working for companies hiring Polish and Chinese employees, teaching Chinese, Polish, Business English, linguistics, translation and interpretation, proofreading, Chinese business and culture consulting, administrative work.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Polish (native speaker), Chinese – simplified and traditional (fluent), English (fluent), German(intermediate), Danish (intermediate-currently learning).

IT EXPERIENCE: MS Office.

CONTACT: Tel:+45 28702377, m.tujakowska@gmail.com

PARTNERS:

19 - 25 October 2012 SPOUSE: Simon Rigby FROM: United Kingdom (originally Scotland) SEEKING WORK IN: Jylland, Fyn or Sjælland (anywhere in Denmark).

QUALIFICATION: Secondary High School - 8 ‘Ordinary’ levels & 3 ‘Advanced’ levels achieved.

EXPERIENCE: Business Development, Sales & Marketing and Client Relationship Management specialist. 15+ years experience in securing ‘insurance and lifestyle benefits’ contracts with high volume and high consumer numbers within the Affinity Group Marketing sector from a wide variety of distribution channels including banks, financial institutions, large membership affinity groups and employers, credit card issuers and insurers. Highly accomplished and skilled at ‘low cost, high perceived value’ large scale marketing to B2B and B2C target audiences through both on-line and other direct marketing channels. Entire career spent in the banking, finance and insurance sectors the latter of which I have spent in the UK employment of 3 of the top 4 global insurance brokers.

A team player and a ‘people person’ with the skills and abilities to easily and comfortably interact with individuals at all levels. Natural problem solver who sees opportunities rather than obstacles.

Simplistic and structured approach to finding straightforward and practical solutions to problems.

LOOKING FOR: A job within an organisation (financial services or otherwise) where my Sales & Marketing and Key Account managerial skills and experience are fully utilised and where I can provide a sustainable and tangible long term contribution to my new employer as well as to my new country within which I have chosen to permanently live.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: English (mother tongue); German (very good); French (good); Danish (basic, but currently enrolled on a ‘Danskuddannelse 3’ language course).

IT EXPERIENCE: Word - Advanced user. Powerpoint - Proficient user. Excel - Basic.

CONTACT: simon040561@hotmail.co.uk Tel: +45 60 16 80 40.

SPOUSE: Mayurika Saxena Sheth FROM: India/USA SEEKING WORK IN: Copenhagen & nearby areas, Greater Copenhagen QUALIFICATION: MCA, PGDMM(MATERIALS), B.SC (COMPUTERS) CERTIFICATIONS: CSTE, CSQA, GREEN BELT SIX SIGMA, TSP/PSP. EXPERIENCE: Eleven years of software development work/IT/BUSINESS experience with prestigious organizations (onsite and offshore): Microsoft, General Electric, Primus Telecommunications (AUSTRALIA), CitiFINANCIAL(USA), ISS and Imany.

LOOKING FOR: Full Time Job in IT, Management, Consulting or Business/Financial Field.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: ENGLISH fluent, HINDI fluent, DANISH AND SPANISH (Beginner).

IT EXPERIENCE: Testing tools like Test Director, Quality Center, Access Server, Product Studio, Polyspace Analysis, .NET testing, Web Page testing, Electronic Appliances testing, development in Winrunner, ASP, HTML, JavaScript, VBScript, Jscript, Oracle, Cold Fusion, SQL, Access, COM/DCOM, MTS, Siebel as well as UNIX, Tuxedo, C, PL/SQL, VB.Net/ ASP .Net, VB.Net. C#.

CONTACT: mayurika.s@gmail.com Tel: +45 7169 5401 SPOUSE: Geet Shroff FROM: Bangalore, India SEEKING WORK IN: Midtjylland / Copenhagen / Odense QUALIFICATION: Bachelor’s degree in Communicative English from Bangalore University, India.

EXPERIENCE: 8+ years of experience as Senior Copy Writer, Assistant Manager – Marketing Communications, Executive – Customer Loyalty & Communication, Customer Service Associate respectively. Through these years, I have developed content, handled complete marketing communications, organized numerous corporate (internal & external customer), private and institutional events ranging from 50 to 1000 people and also handling special projects that have included training & internal communication campaigns.

LOOKING FOR: A Corporate or Marketing Communication (Internal or External) position or that of a Copy Writer at an advertising agency or a corporate house. Also open to a position at an event management company.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: English, Danish (Beginner).

IT EXPERIENCE: MS-Office, Adobe In Design CS3 (Basic).

CONTACT: geet_shroff@yahoo.co.in Tel: +4550834024

SPOUSE: Lillian Liu FROM: Taiwan SEEKING WORK IN: Marketing/Public Relations.

QUALIFICATION: Bachelor of Foreign Language and Literature (Major in English, and minor in French) EXPERIENCE: 5+ years of professional experiences in Marketing and PR. I am a dynamic and creative marketing communications talent with substantial international working experience in large corporation and in agencies, possessing Integrated Marketing Communication ability.

Proficient in analyzing market trends to provide critical inputs for decision-making and formulating marketing communication strategies. Familiar with brand image build-up, channel marketing, media communication, issue management, etc. Possess in-depth understanding/knowledge of APAC market and Chinese culture.

LOOKING FOR: Marketing jobs in Jylland.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Mandarin Chinese, English, Danish, French.

IT EXPERIENCE: Familiar with Windows O/S and MS Office.

CONTACT: sugarex@hotmail.com SPOUSE: Victor Bosie-Boateng FROM: Ghana SEEKING WORK IN: All of Denmark QUALIFICATION: Master of social science (Development studies & International relations) from Aalborg University in Denmark EXPERIENCE: 5 years of wide experience working as a consultant to some NGO’s, a past JPO and intern at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Very organised and well abreast with project management, Good communication strategists, indepth study and understanding of climate change issues, Former teacher and teaching assistant at a university, well abreast with the use of the microsoft operating systems LOOKING FOR: Work as a consultant, assistant project officer, programme officer, development analysts, administrative officer. Also open to a position at an NGO, danida and other development oriented organisations LANGUAGE SKILLS: English (fluent), French (moderate), Dutch (moderate), Danish (Good) IT EXPERIENCE: Microsoft word, excel, powerpoint, microsoft project and many more.

CONTACT: bosiem2001@yahoo.com Tel: 28746935, 53302445 SPOUSE: Bhargavi Lanka Venkata FROM: India SEEKING WORK IN: IT industry- Software - Manual & Automation Testing.

QUALIFICATION: Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science Engineering.

EXPERIENCE: Part Time/Full Time work in Software Testing, 4yrs and 9 months experience as Senior Software Engineer – Testing in a U.S based MNC in Bangalore, India.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: English, Hindi, Enrolled for Danish classes.

IT EXPERIENCE: Manual testing, Automation Regrwession testing using QTP, Web service testing using SOA Tool, HP Quality center, Unix, SQL, XML, Basic shell scripting.

CONTACT: bhargavipsk@gmail.com; Mobile: 50376689 SPOUSE: Nitisha Sinha FROM: India SEEKING WORK IN: Copenhagen QUALIFICATION: Masters in Geography and B.Ed EXPERIENCE: 4 yrs 3 mnths in teaching geography in schools for the middle to senior level. I was also a foreign expact teacher and General Education Officer at Ministry Of Education,of Singapore in Singapore.

LOOKING FOR: Full time / Part time jobs in International School/Colleges/Universities to teach Geography.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: English, Hindi and Bengali ( reading, writing and speaking) IT EXPERIENCE: Familier with MS OFFICE (Word,powerpoint,) and photoshop.

CONTACT: nitz84@gmail.com; Tel: +45 71496579

Are you An AccompAnying spouse in pursuit of A cAreer And residing in copenhAgen?

Copenhagen Career Program would like to invite you to an information meeting in Jobcenter Copenhagen, Musvågevej 15, 2400 København NV.

Please register for the meeting by sending an e-mail, latest on Sunday the 28th of October to: cphcareerprogram@bif.kk.dk. Please inform us of your full name and address when registering

Wednesday the 31st of October at 12 pm – 13.30 pm

A light sandwich and drinks will be served during the meeting

At the meeting you will receive information about: • Danish courses and course in Danish social conditions and Danish culture and history.

• Measures promoting employment such as internship, employment with salary subsidy, mentor at the work place, upgrading courses and job seeking courses.

• Recognition of international qualifications.

• IO positions (Integrations- og oplæringsstillinger).

Copenhagen Career Program is based in the Department for Integration and Language at Jobcenter Copenhagen, Musvågevej. The Department for Integration and Language is responsible for administrating the Integration Act in the municipality of Copenhagen.

Following the meeting you have the chance to talk individually with a job counselor about your qualifications and career plans (for that purpose we recommend you to bring your CV).

few AvAilAble spots, registrAtion cphcAreerprogrAm@bif.kk.dk

THE COPENHAGEN POST 19 - 25 October 2012 SPOUSE EMPLOYMENT PAGE

PARTNERS:

THE COPENHAGEN POST CPHPOST.DK

SPOUSE: Jawon Yun-Werner FROM: South Korea SEEKING WORK IN: Healthcare, Hospitals, Elderly/Child Care (in Greater Copenhagen Area).

QUALIFICATION: B.A. in Nursing, Masters in Public Health. I am AUTHORIZED to work as a Nurse in Denmark. (Have Danish CPR and work permit).

EXPERIENCE: 1O years of experience as a nurse and midwife from the prominent hospitals.

LOOKING FOR: Any healthcare related jobs (hospitals, clinics, elderly/childcare places). I am open to any shift or day.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: English, Korean, Danish (Intermediate, in progress, Module 3).

IT EXPERIENCE: MS Office, SASS Statistical Software CONTACT: cuteago@yahoo.com Tel: +45 30 95 20 53

SPOUSE: Vidya Singh FROM: India SEEKING WORK IN: Copenhagen, Odense, Arhus, Aalborg or nearby areas.

QUALIFICATION: Master in Computer Management, Bachelor of Science, Certified Novell Engineer, Microsoft Certified Professional.

EXPERIENCE: Total 8 years (4 year in telecommunication as customer care + 4 year as HR recruiter consultant).

LOOKING FOR: HR (Trainee/Assistant/Recruiter/consultant), Customer service, office work, IT LANGUAGE SKILLS: English, Hindi and Danish (currently learning).

IT EXPERIENCE: MS-office, Hardware, Networking, Intranet and Internet.

CONTACT: vidya.singh37@gmail.com, Tel: +45 71443554

SPOUSE: Margaret Ritchie FROM: Scotland, UK SEEKING WORK IN: Copenhagen QUALIFICATION: BA Business Administration majoring in Human Resource Management EXPERIENCE: Worked in the field of Education within a Scottish University. 12 years of experience.

Administrating and organising courses and conferences and also worked as a PA to a Head of School. Great communication skills.

LOOKING FOR: Administration work, typing, audio typing, data input. Can work from home.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Mother tongue: English, very basic Danish IT EXPERIENCE: A good user of Microsoft Office package, access to Internet CONTACT: megmagsritchie@googlemail.com Tel: 71182949

SPOUSE: Debasmita Ghosh FROM: India SEEKING WORK IN: Copenhagen QUALIFICATION: Master of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Pharmachemistry specialization).

EXPERIENCE: 4 years in Clinical Research (Pharmacovigilance/Safety and Medical Coding) in a leading CRO (Quintiles) and 6 months experience as a lecturer for bachelor degree students in Pharmacy College.

LOOKING FOR: Job in pharmaceutical industry, CRO or any vocation suitable per qualification and experience.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: English (fluent written and spoken), enrolled for Danish language classes, Indian Languages (Hindi, Bengali, Kannada).

IT EXPERIENCE: MS Office Applications i:e Microsoft office word, excel, outlook, power point and tools, lotus notes, medical and drug softwares like micromedex and ISIS draw. CDM systems like ds Navigator-Medical coding tool and AERS database.

CONTACT: ghoshdebasmita@gmail.com, Tel: +4571488438

SPOUSE: Jennifer Bouma FROM: The Netherlands SEEKING WORK IN: Egedal Kommune, Copenhagen 30 km.

QUALIFICATION: Managers Secretary, hands on, reliable, structured, self reliant, social, team player).

LOOKING FOR: Secretary job.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Dutch, Danish, English, German, French, Italian.

IT EXPERIENCE: MS Office ( Word, Excel), Outlook, SAP. CONTACT: jenniferbouma@ hotmail.com SPOUSE: Jik Boom FROM: The Netherlands SEEKING WORK IN: Copenhagen QUALIFICATION: Teacher EXPERIENCE: CELTA (Cambridge Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) see also Linkedin profile http://dk.linkedin.com/in/jikboom) LOOKING FOR: Work in the area of teaching (English), proofreading (English) and translation (English/Dutch - Dutch/English) LANGUAGE SKILLS: Dutch, English, French, German, Danish IT EXPERIENCE: MS Office (Powerpoint, Word, Excel) CONTACT: jikboom@yahoo.com, Tel: +45 42129175

SPOUSE: Clémence Arnal FROM: France SEEKING WORK IN: Copenhagen; Region Sjælland QUALIFICATION: Wastewater/drinking water (processes and treatments, building design, water sampling and pollution rate measurement); environment protection ( river basin management, waste management).

EXPERIENCE: Waste sorting representative (Office “Communauté du Pays d’Aix”, France); Leaks investigation on drinking water networks, Help to communes to deal with their drinking water system, Control operation of individual sanitation systems (Office “G2C Environnement”, France); Drinking water stations security: putting the Antiterrorist security plan in practice, employees security , Distribution network security: determining the cost of a network re-chlorination unit (“Drinking Water” administration of Aix en Provence, France).

LOOKING FOR: Water treatment assistant / engineer.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: French (mother tongue); English (Fluent); Danish (Prøve Dansk 3).

IT EXPERIENCE: MS-Office; AutoCAD (basic); Mapinfo (basic).

CONTACT: clem.arnal@gmail.com Tel: 23 34 63 22

SPOUSE: Chao Wen FROM: China SEEKING WORK IN: Great Copenhagen QUALIFICATION: Language teacher (German, Chinese.

EXPERIENCE: Teaching Chinese as a foreign language by offering company-course for 2 years, in Germany; teaching Chinese to native speaker in private school for 4 years, in Germany; teaching German as a foreign language by offering private course; exhibition interpreter; translator.

LOOKING FOR: Part time or full time in Aarhus, Language teacher, translator or interpreter.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Chinese, English, German, Danish.

IT EXPERIENCE: Windows, Open office, Powerpoint.

CONTACT: wenlily80@googlemail.com, Tel: 48417526

SPOUSE: Fernando Carlos Cardeira da Silva FROM: Portugal SEEKING WORK IN: Copenhagen QUALIFICATION: Accounting course from Danish Institution (Regnskabs medarbejder at Niels Brock), previous frequency of Accounting and Management courses in Portugal.

EXPERIENCE: I have more than 5 years of experience in accounting.

LOOKING FOR: Job as accounting assistant.

IT EXPERIENCE: Microsoft Office (Excel, Word and Power point) and accounting software such as Navision C5.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: I can read and write Danish, English, Portuguese, Spanish and French.

CONTACT: fercardeira@gmail.com Tel: +45 50437588

17

SPOUSE: Chiara Rodighiero FROM: Siena, Italy SEEKING WORK IN: Copenhagen or nearby areas, Greater Copenhagen QUALIFICATION: Ph.D. in Microbiology (Univeristy of Bristol, UK), Laurea (Degree) in Pharmaceutical Chemistry (University of Padova, Italy), Project Manager Professional Certification (George Washington University, School of Business).

EXPERIENCE: 5 years as Senior Project Manager for Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics.

Responsibility for managing multiple global projects at various stages of Research and Development. Experience coordinating activities within cross-functional teams and ensuring that internal research activities are fully aligned with project goals. Experience also includes managing a team of scientists, controlling research budgets and resource allocation. Also have experience working for Biotech (in United Kingdom) and academia (Harvard Medical School).

LOOKING FOR: Full time position in the Pharma/Biotech Industry in Research, Project Management or related fields suiting my qualifications and experience.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: IT EXPERIENCE: CONTACT: chiararodighiero@hotmail.com; Tel +39 348 790 7554 SPOUSE: Pooja Nirwal FROM: New Delhi, India SEEKING WORK IN: Copenhagen and Capital region.

QUALIFICATION: Masters (M. Sc) in Environmental Science, +2 yrs of Exp. as Env. Consultant in the field of Environmental Impact Assessment.

LOOKING FOR: Positions in Consultancies/Organizations/NGOs working in the field of Environmental Science (Climate Change, EIA, Env. Compliance Audits, Solid Waste Management etc.).

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Fluent in English, Hindi and Sanskrit, Started learning Danish.

IT EXPERIENCE: MS Office (PowerPoint, Word, Excel).

CONTACT: poojadahiya1@gmail.com Tel: +45 503 904 60 SPOUSE: Teja Priyanka FROM: India SEEKING WORK IN: Copenhagen QUALIFICATION: MBA in Finance and marketing , bachelor in Biotechnology.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Telugu(mother tounge), Hindi, English, Danish(biggnier).

IT EXPERIENCE: Familier with Microsoft office(word, excel,powerpoint,access, ), photoshop.

CONTACT: teja.priyanka.n@gmail.com

Denmark’s only English-language newspaper

THE COPENHAGEN POST SPOUSE EMPLOYMENT PAGE WHY: The Copenhagen Post wishes to help spouses looking for jobs in Denmark. We have on our own initiative started a weekly spouse job page in The Copenhagen Post, with the aim to show that there are already within Denmark many highly educated international candidates looking for jobs.

If you are a spouse to an international employee in Denmark looking for new career opportunities, you are welcome to send a profile to The Copenhagen Post at aviaja@cphpost.dk and we will post your profile on the spouse job page when possible. Remember to get it removed in case of new job.

Østerbro

I N T E R N AT I O N A L S C H O O L

Learninginternational Support Assistant – Part-time Grades 6-8 coPenhagen school is looKing The Resource at Copenhagen International School Positions: is inviting applications for the toDepartment fill the folloWing positions of Learning Support Assistant. This position is a temporary, part-time position (50%) and will start immediately and extend until end June 2013. There is the possibility that this position grade 1 teachers couldPre-Kindergarten, be combined. The work is paidKindergarten at an hourly rate. Thisand position does require the applicant to have a valid Danish work permit.

The successful applicants should be qualified teachers with a minimum of 2 years’ experience working within an early years programme.

The position will start on August 1st 2012.

Qualifications: • A degree in education or related to the field of education We are looking for teachers who have knowledge and experience of the international Baccalaureate Primary years • Further qualifications in Special Education programme (iB PyP), and who: • Experience working with students who require learning support • can design effective and developmentally appropriate learning opportunities

• can demonstrate a track record of excellent classroom practice including in-depth understanding of differentiated instruction, second language acquisition andResponsibilities play based learning may include, but are not limited to: • Assisting in the preparation, implementation and supervision of resource student • have a strong work ethic and excellent organizational skills programming.

• have a track record of being an effective collaborator and team player • Reinforcing organizational skills: providing immediate feedback, in order to promote the • have willingness and commitment to contribute to the development of the curriculum acquisition of academic goals.

• have willingness and commitment to contribute to the greater school community • will demonstrate professionalism in its broadest sense • Supporting students with language based learning disabilities.

• •

Maintaining appropriate record keeping as outlined by the teachers and the resource coordinator/teacher.

Kindergarten 1 assistants Working collaboratively as a memberand of thegrade educational team in the classroom and school.

The Kindergarten and Grade 1 teams are looking for additional Assistants to join the existing teams. The successful candidates should be qualified to work Applications should be made in writing, including a curriculum vitae and a cover letter including with children between the ages of 5 and 7 with a strong background and experience in early years’ education and with a minimum of two years of experience theyears names of threeThecurrent addresses). working in an early programme. position referees will start on(with Auguste-mail 1st 2012.

send applications addressed to the attention of Karen Watts, Director of Student Services at We are lookingPlease for early years’ educators who: karenwatts@cis.dk • have a caring and nurturing approach with children • are organized and demonstrate effective classroom practice Stockholmsgade 59 Hellerupvej 22-26 2100 Copenhagen Ø • have a strong work ethic 2900 Hellerup T +45 3946 3309 T +45 3946 3311 • have a track record of being an effective collaborator and team player www.cis.dk www.cis.dk • preferably have knowledge and experience of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme. (IB PYP)

SENCO – SpECial EduCatiON NEEdS COOrdiNatOr (50% pOSitiON) QualifiCatiONS: The applicant should be a qualified teacher or educational psychologist with experience of working with special needs. primary rESpONSibilitiES: To head up our already established student support services (SSS). To work with teaching assistants to plan, and be involved with in class, and small group support to students. To liaise with other agencies (e.g. health and social care services, speech and language services, Copenhagen kommune) to ensure a coordinated care approach to each child accessing the SSS. CharaCtEriStiCS wE’rE lOOkiNg fOr: • An interest and commitment towards working with children who have special needs.

• A psychologically minded individual who can consider difficulties from multiple perspectives and take into account reports from parents, teachers and students.

• Excellent organization skills, in order to effectively manage the cases within the SSS. • Excellent communication skills, and the ability to build good working relationships with colleagues, parents and students.

• English language proficiency • Contributes positively to the sense of community among staff, as well as the wider school community and promotes the vision of Østerbro International School.

• Knowledge of the IB system would be preferential. applyiNg fOr thE pOSitiON Applications should be made in writing, including a curriculum vitae and a covering letter highlighting your skills and experience in the areas listed above. please send applications to Nedzat asanovski via email na@oeis.dk. the closing date for applications is monday the 22nd of October and interviews will be held on the 25th-26th of October.

www.oEIS.dk Østerbro International School • Præstøgade 17 • 2100 Copenhagen Ø • Tel.: +45 70 20 63 68 • E-mail: info@oeis.dk

18

cover story

The Copenhagen Post cphpost.dk

19 - 25 October 2012

scanpix/ Linda Henriksen

Bjarke Smith-Meyer

The world media has flocked to a tiny theatre in the centre of Copenhagen for the stage debut of Anders Breivik’s manifesto

W

e have Le Monde coming in, AFP was here this morning, TV2 is about to start, La Liberation ...” The list seems endless as the theatre’s press agent runs through the interview schedule for Monday, counting them with her fingers. And it’s no surprise. It’s only been little over a year since the Utøya massacre and Oslo bombing that claimed 77 lives, but the memory is still fresh in many people’s minds.

Nevertheless there has recently been a sense of relief – particularly after convicted mass murder Anders Behring Breivik was declared sane and sentenced to indefinite detention. Wounds have slowly started to heal. That’s what made Monday night’s opening of the play ‘Manifest 2083’, which is based on Breivik’s 1,518-page ‘2083: A European Declaration of Independence’, all the more controversial. Just as the world tries to move on from this tragedy, Café Teatret director Christian Lollike wants to bring the whole thing back into focus.

The worst thing we could possibly do is to hide the manifesto. This shouldn’t become a mysterious book that sparks curiosity and intrigue.

Shining a light on the subject “It’s important we don’t just leave this subject in the dark,” Lollike told The Copenhagen Post.

“We need to dig it up, shine a light on it, and understand who this man is.”

Indeed, history is there so that the future can learn from its mistakes, but how can a monologue do justice to a subject which is in many ways still an open wound – particularly in Scandinavia?

Breivik’s manifesto praised Denmark, adding to the controversory of staging a play based on it here (Cafe Teatret) “What we’ve done is taken specific parts of Breivik’s manifesto and his trial, to piece together ... almost an analysis of how this man is viewed by society, and how

Lollike has a hit on his hands but what else?

he in fact views himself,” Lollike said. “This is a unique chance to get a better understanding of the right-wing movement as well, especially within a country that has particularly strong views on foreigners and immigration.”

This is an opinion shared by none other than Breivik himself, who in his manifesto referred to Denmark as “the only Scandinavian country with some spine left” when it comes to an “ideological war” against Islam. At his trial, he contended that had Norway adopted Danish-style immigration policies, he would not have carried out his attacks.

The significance that Denmark, a country praised by Breivik, is staging a play about Breivik is not lost on Lollike.

“We’re not supporting him,” Lollike said. “We’re analysing him. And in some ways, it’s all the more important that we investigate his manifesto here.

What is it about our culture that creates hate against Islam and religious people?”

‘Mein Kampf ’ “But doesn’t that mean you’re effectively giving him a platform?,” The Copenhagen Post asked the

Two crimes against literature and humanity

director. “Hitler’s book ‘Mein Kampf ’ would never have been read if he hadn’t done the things he did. Aren’t you just bringing unnecessary attention to something best lost and forgotten?”

“No,” Lollike answered immediately. “The worst thing we could possibly do is to hide the manifesto. This shouldn’t become a mysterious book that sparks curiosity and intrigue.

We need to familiarise ourselves with his work, and the stage is a great place to bring this subject into public debate.”

But why focus on Breivik?

We had to ask: was Breivik’s

manifesto chosen just for the controversy and publicity it was guaranteed to generate?

“We chose this topic because it’s topical and contemporary,” Lollike countered calmly. “Breivik is the modern day representation of the world’s fear against foreigners. This is one of the most scary issues we have in the modern age, and it needs to be addressed.”

A sore spot when the play was first announced was that, in addition to a public platform for his views, Breivik could potentially profit from the performance.

“No chance at all,” Lollike said. “We’ve had legal advice on the matter to make sure. But either way, he relinquished all of his copyright in the manifesto itself. So there’s no issue there.”

Perhaps not, but many would argue that by basing a play on his manifesto, Breivik is getting exactly what he wants.

By having no copyright on his work, his manifesto is free for anyone who wants it. And with ‘Manifest 2083’ currently playing at Café Teatret, Breivik has in effect not only been given a platform to work from, but a stage to perform on as well.

So she’s a bit overbearing?

Yes, to say the least. Among other things, she invites herself along to her daughter’s red carpet events and after-parties, accompanies her to all business meetings, and has pretty much admitted to stalking her own daughter during her younger years.

for a book about ... (wait for it) Amalie. The title of this masterpiece is ... (wait for it) ‘Amalie’s Book’.

Ouch!

Not to worry though, she’s still determined to publish the book on her own. We wish her the best of luck, and considering that S&M fetish porn has been topping the New York Times bestseller list for 30 weeks in a row, we think a book about Denmark’s reality ditz is bound to do great.

tv3/birger storm

Who is … Charlotte Kejser linn lemhag She is a 48-year-old reality TV mum, who can currently be seen in the third season of ‘Amalies verden’, which premiered this week on TV3.

What is ‘Amalies verden’?

It’s a reality show that follows the life of permanently confused and arguably partially braindead Amalie Szigethy, who is known best for her naked antics

on ‘Paradise Hotel’, a profound misunderstanding of the Danish language (her mother tongue), and accusing her boyfriend of physical abuse (which she later admitted was a lie).

So what does her mother do?

Some reality-show producer genius must have realised that the crazy gene is inherited. Kejser is as fame-hungry, embarrassing and (almost) as intellectually challenged as her daughter.

So what does Kejser do when she’s not playing psycho-mum on the TV screen?

She’s knocked out a manuscript

I wonder what the book is about …

It’s safe to say it’s probably about Amalie. Se og Hør gossip magazine initially showed interest in publishing the book, but ultimately rejected it because it didn’t live up to its journalistic standards.

Eher Verlag

‘Manifest 2083’ brings international attention back to mass murderer

DENMARK THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS THE COPENHAGEN POST CPHPOST.DK

19 - 25 October 2012

19

Springing back from the scrapheap: the eternal

JANE GRAHAM It all began in the 1960s, when a Danish cabinet maker made his biggest breakthrough with the simplest of plastic toys

W

HILE DANISH design has long had a reputation as being ’functional’, sometimes its greatest designs serve no real purpose at all, other than putting a smile on one’s face. One of its classic creations, Ehrenreich’s ‘Hoptimist’, was one such design.

The playful, plastic Hoptimist figures are round, simple shapes that are attached to a spring and simply quiver with energy. The springy mobiles were the latest craze back in the early 1970s, with amusing characters like ‘Busy Birdie’, along with later additions Bimble, Bumble and the two frogs, Kvak and Baby Kvak.

The father of all Hoptimists was Hans Gustav Ehrenreich (1917-1984), a designer from the small town of Kolind in Jutland. After moving to Stilling near Skanderborg in 1943, he set up his own business as a cabinet

maker, working with number of rare and exotic woods. Ehrenreich’s international breakthrough came at an arts and crafts exhibition in Chica-

a

go in the 1950s, and by the mid1960s he was established as a successful craftsman.

But it was not wood, but plastic that was to be the raw material for Ehrenreich’s classic invention: a small, springy, brightly-coloured mobile he made in 1968 and dubbed ‘the Hoptimist’. Bright, primary colours were the fashion of the times, and the figure, with its large head and small feet, was

drawn using only a circle and an ellipse, and then cast from the same plastic as another Danish design classic, Lego bricks.

By 1971, Ehrenreich’s Busy Birdie was being sold all over the world from his small factory in Stilling. On the box was a poem that began: “There are other birds who use beaks and claws, but I prefer to chirrup with just as light a humour.”

Within a year or two, Birdie was joined by a couple, per-

haps married, whose imagined banter found its way into a marketing cartoon.

Bimble (the female of the two) and Bumble (the man) were just as springy and infectiously playful as the first Hoptimist.

The last members of Ehrenreich’s Hoptimist family were Kvak and little Baby Kvak, two jumping green frogs.

Production stopped on the Hoptimists in 1974, and with Ehrenreich’s death in 1984

it seemed as if the bouncing figures had been

relegated permanently to the attic as another amusing, but forgotten diversion of the ‘60s and ‘70s. In 2009, however, designer Lotte Steffensen, whose resume includes fashion design at Danish fashion houses Bitte Kai Rand and Red/Green, relaunched the Hoptimist brand i n

consultation with Hans Gustav’s son, Jørn Ehrenreich.

Steffensen sees the Hoptimists as part of an extended Danish design family that also includes Poul Henningsen’s iconic PH lamps and Kay Bojesen’s wooden monkey. And while they may not appear to serve any clear function, she is convinced that the Hoptimists are as irresistible to adults as they are to children.

Steffensen views Hoptimists as little mascots that spread joy wherever they’re placed. “They’re all about smiles and a surplus of energy,” reads the relaunched Hoptimist website. “We are in no doubt at all about why we’ve thrown ourselves into producing Hoptimists. It’s because there’s something about Hoptimists.

They make people smile, inspire life and give people the urge to do something.”

Two newcomers to the Hoptimist family, the clowns Bibi and Bobo, have been made the official ‘Danish Hospitals Caring Clowns’, representing an association that helps sick children across the country with humour and therapeutic care.

With Denmark’s reputation as one of the happiest nations in the world, shouldn’t it also have an ambassador that reflects that kind of happiness?

ALL MATERIAL BY HOPTIMIST

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