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DANISH NEWS IN ENGLISH CPHPOST.DK VOL 20 ISSUE 15 17 - 30 November 2017
NEWS Rival gangs call truce with help from their parents
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NEWS
Tax the sly havens! Denmark lacking friends in pursuit of fair share from corporates
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Hat-trick hero fires Denmark to World Cup The red and whites can start booking their hotels in Russia following an emphatic 5-1 win in Dublin on Tuesday
CONTEST Win a scholarship to an English-language theatre school
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CHRISTMAS
Unique prezzies for all! Don’t leave it too late to check out the city’s Xmas markets
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SIGNS OF OUR TIMES
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CHRISTIAN Eriksen hat-trick on Tuesday saw Denmark qualify for the World Cup finals for the fifth time in their history as they beat the Republic of Ireland 5-1 in Dublin. The result was never in doubt once Denmark scored twice in quick succession midway through the first half after falling behind to an early Irish goal. Eriksen the destroyer THE IRISH efficiently contained Eriksen in a 0-0 draw at Parken on Saturday, but he was given the freedom of the park in Dublin.
And he duly popped up unmarked to finish off a freeflowing Danish move with an emphatic strike off the underside of the bar to give his side a 2-1 lead at the break. Positivity overload A STUDY carried out before the game placed Denmark in the top 10 for the first time ever on the Australian-produced D+ Positivity Index, so given Tuesday’s euphoria, they might very well be challenging the top-ranked country, Australia, right now! The Danes ranked seventh on an index based on the quantification of positive achievements, initiatives and actions accomplished by every country of the world. Canada, Switzerland, China and France completed the top five.
Good at being good DENMARK fared better on the Good Country Index, which rates 163 countries according to how much good they contribute to the world, ranking second. Sweden topped the index and the Netherlands, the UK and Germany completed the top five. The US finished 21st and Libya last. Language of business CONTINUING their run of good form, the Danes are the third best speakers of English as a foreign language, according to Swiss company Education First. And Denmark ranked third on the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index, just behind New Zealand and Singapore and ahead of South Korea and Hong Kong. (BH)
The aghast post DANISH journalist Jens Høvsgaard has missed out on a nomination for the prestigious Cavling Prize because PostNord failed to deliver copies of his book to the prize committee by an agreed deadline. Reflecting on a nightmare that even Stephen King couldn’t dream up, Høvsgaard told CPH POST his book “could have performed well”.
First snow? Who knows! WHO KNOWS when it will first snow, but is seems imminent given this cold snap. TV2 predicted October 30, and DMI the end of this week – a forecast it is sticking to, with Sunday the most likely day. Meanwhile, a Swedish weatherman has warned we can expect Denmark’s coldest winter since 2012-13. But then again, the last four have been unseasonably warm.
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NEWS
ONLINE THIS WEEK A YOUNG child’s skeleton has been found on Brinken, a street near Glostrup Stadion. Police are appealing for information. In other Zealand news, two men aged 56 and 61 were killed in an ultralight aircraft crash near Holbæk on October 16; and Swedish media reports a 58-yearold woman from north Zealand tried to hire a hitman via the darknet and pay him in Bitcoin.
Tunnels’ hidden cost THE 1.6 BILLION kroner cost of building three flood tunnels to protect Copenhagen Municipality from extraordinary cloudbursts has been underestimated. The tunnels – provisionally named Svanemølle, Valby and Vesterbro – will actually cost 4.0 billion kroner. Water tariffs are expected to rise by an average 50 kroner per year per household to cover the rise.
Award for vandal THOMAS DAMBO has said he will reward the vandal who drew graffiti on one of his six giant wooden carvings in the suburbs of Copenhagen with a free streetart workshop. Readers on the CPH POST Facebook page thought this publication should reward him with exposure of his work on our site. We disagreed!
No go, no snow, no MØ THE COPENHAGEN Winter Games, scheduled to take place on November 3 and 4 at B&W Hallerne on Refshaleøen, was cancelled due to poor ticket sales. The 2018 Winter Olympics warm-up event was due to include a 50-metre high snowboarding ramp, 800 tonnes of snow and live music from MØ. Editorial offices: International House, Gyldenløvesgade 11, 1600 Copenhagen Denmark
Three fatal shootings reignited tensions before gang members’ parents stepped in to agree terms
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GANG WAR raging since the summer between Loyal To Familia (from Blågårds Plads in Nørrebro) and the gang formerly known as Brothas (from the area around Mjølnerparken in the outer Nørrebro area) could be over. The gangs have entered into a truce brokered by the parents of those involved, reports TV2 News. According to the parents, high-level gang members are dedicated to adhering to it. Bodies piling up IN THE last month, three people have been killed in gang-related shootings. A 16-year-old boy, Servet Abdija, was gunned down outside his home on Ragnhildgade in Østerbro on October 16. Despite the police’s reluctance to say it was gang-related, a source has told CPH POST it was. Three men with gangland connections aged 28-32 were shot near Tagensvej in Mjølnerparken in Nørrebro on October 31. One was killed, and another
seriously injured. A car was later found set alight in Lyngby. And a 22-year-old man was killed and a second man injured in another shooting in Mjølnerparken, a drive-by scooter attack on November 9. A busy police force COPENHAGEN Police have searched more than 3,300 residents in troubled neighbourhoods since the gang troubles started in April. In total, there have been 38 shootings since June in which 24 people have been hit by bullets and four people killed. Ishøj worst for crims IN RELATED news, Ishøj Municipality in Greater Copenhagen had the highest proportion of imprisoned inhabitants in 2016, according to Danmarks Statistik. Some 3.95 out of every 1,000 served time in prison, and Lisbeth Lavrsen, an expert in crime statistics at Danmarks Statistik, said Ishøj’s high composition of youths was a determining factor. The municipalities of Guldborgsund (3.73) and Brøndby (3.39) completed the top three, while the islands of Ærø (0.32),
ONLINE THIS WEEK PIXABAY
Child’s skeleton found
Truce declared in long-running gang war
Their parents knew best
Samsø (0.53) and Læsø (0.55) made up the bottom three. Gentofte (0.73) had the lowest rate in Greater Copenhagen. Foolish killer IN OTHER crime news, a 35-year-old Iraqi man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after being found guilty of stabbing a 47-year-old Somali man to death at Center Sandholm in October 2016. The killer’s DNA was found on the victim’s face and at the scene at the asylum centre, while the victim’s was found on the killer’s shoe when he was arrested nearly four weeks later in the Netherlands. (CPH POST)
As one food hall closes, another opens With plenty of street food opportunities, can Tivoli Food Hall fill the void left by Papirøen?
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IVOLI’S latest venture, a 6,000 sqm food hall with 14 different outlets, opened on November 10. Occupying the corner of the themepark closest to Central Station, Tivoli Food Hall (Tivoli Hjørnet) is free to enter With Papirøen due to close on December 31, the opening is
good news for fans of quick, affordable grub, as a number of the outlets have a street food flavour. Closures, openings, awards IN OTHER restaurant news, Den Gule Cottage and Den Røde Cottage, twin restaurants just north of Klampenborg, are closing down on December 20. The rapidly growing burger chain Jagger is opening its fourth restaurant at Nørrebros Runddel, with more on the way.
And Era Ora in Amager has been named the best Italian restaurant in the world outside Italy by the prestigious gourmet magazine Gamero Rosso. Hotel concept eyes capital IN RELATED news, Amsterdam-based hotel concept Zoku, which provides guests with a room in which they can both comfortably sleep and live, is looking for a location in Copenhagen. (BH)
Madsen cut up body PETER MADSEN has admitted to dismembering the body of journalist Kim Wall and disposing of the body parts in the sea at Køge Bugt. Previously he said he buried her at sea with her body intact. The police, however, withdrew a claim that he said Wall died of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Cruise visitor record A RECORD 850,000 cruise passengers from 325 ships have visited Copenhagen so far this year, with more to come over the festive period – a record year. An estimated 337 ships carrying 875,000 passengers are expected next year. Some 153 of the stopovers this year were turnaround journeys.
The place to live! FREDERIKSBERG Municipality has the most satisfied citizens out of Denmark’s 98 municipalities, according to a survey by Exometrics. Hørsholm, Dragør, Gentofte, Solrød, Rødovre and Ishøj completed the top seven. Copenhagen ranked 30th.
Huge new Irish pub THE OLD Irish Pub has opened a third branch in Copenhagen on Smallegade in Frederiksberg. With seven bars, 20 draft beers and a dancefloor, it is the nation’s largest Irish pub. Overall, it is one of 24 Old Irish Pubs nationwide.
Bad season for old nags THERE IS a six-month waiting list to feed your old horse to the lions at Copenhagen Zoo. Autumn is the most popular time to ‘retire’ horses after one last summer in pasture. The zoo picks up the dead horse for free.
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COVER
THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK
17 - 30 November 2017
More international candidates and voters – history beckons for 2017 We’re better informed than four years ago, but there’s still a long way to go, claim internationals ahead of municipal and regional elections CAYLYN RICH
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UESDAY November 21 promises to be a day of frenetic activity as the people of Denmark make their best effort to find the time to vote in the country’s municipal and regional elections. The voter turnout is usually reasonably high: around 70 percent compared to the 85.9 percent who turned out for the last general election in 2015. However, the participation of eligible EU voters in 2013 was much lower at 30 percent. Since then, the number of eligible EU voters has increased nationwide by 34 percent and now accounting for 4.4 percent of the enfranchised population – and as much as 9.3 percent in Copenhagen. The number of non-Danish citizen prospective candidates has also gone through the roof, and accordingly a much bigger turnout from the estimated 200,000 eligible EU voters is expected.
They came from the east IN 2013, THREE of the nationalities with the lowest turnouts were Poland (15 percent), Romania (14) and Lithuania (12), with these three countries haveing accounted for the lion’s share of the increase in EU residents. According to the latest Danmarks Statistik figures, Romanians and Lithuanians account for the third and fifth largest populations of working internationals, respectively in 2014, neither made it into the top ten. Kristina Liebute, 31, moved to Denmark from Lithuania five years ago, and she did not vote
Kristina Liebute
in 2013. It was only relatively recently, she explains, that she began to grasp the full scope of her political rights as an EU citizen living in Denmark. And the same appears to be true among her friends. The elections this time around have been widely discussed among her peer group, she told CPH POST, “who are realising they have a chance to influence local politics”. Alexandra Miruna Ionescu, a Romanian national, was likewise unaware of her right to vote until she received a voting card in the mail before the last elections. Like Liebute, she believes many of her peer group will vote this time around because it is important to take an interest as part of their professional working life. More needs to be done NEVERTHELESS, it is a far from perfect set-up, and Liebute concedes that many will not vote because “they either a) don’t know enough, b) don’t want to bother, or c) don’t think their voice will matter.” She contends that more needs to be done to increase the communication in English (and other languages) through various channels such as social media, community gatherings and language schools. “Most of the communication swirling around the elections is in Danish. If you don’t know the language, you simply don’t pay attention,” said Liebute. Ionescu, particularly, despairs of the lack of events for nonDanish speakers. “When the politicians don’t address you, it’s quite difficult to feel included or that there is a stake for you in the elections,” she said. Ionescu would like to see a more inclusive approach through initiatives such as information sessions and official emails from City Hall, which she reckons would be far “more efficient than the voting ballot just turning up in your mailbox”. It makes a difference NARCIS George Matache, 27, a Romanian candidate for Socialdemokratiet in Aarhus, also advocates the necessity to address non-Danish citizens in a language they will understand. After he and his crew held meetings and social events in
The street outside International House Copenhagen is a prime spot for canvassing
English to explain the breakdown of local voting systems, he noticed small advances in other parts of the country. Matache, a resident since 2009, believes panel debates (with candidates from the parties present) have been successful tools along with issuing informative brochures in English and creating videos in multiple languages about the importance of voting. Higher turnout expected MATACHE, who wants to boost local political involvement among non-Danish voters in north Jutland, concurs with
Narcis George Matache
Ionescu that more Romanians are taking an interest compared to 2013 and that there will be a higher turnout – particularly as there are more non-Danish citizen candidates. Nevertheless, a large number of “non-Danish citizens in Denmark are not aware of their voting or candidacy rights,” he conceded. Before holding information campaigns earlier in the year, Matache commissioned a sur-
vey in northern Denmark that revealed that less than 20 percent of non-Danes were aware of their political rights. And he noticed the same trend among those in attendance at his information events. Matache is most particularly concerned with hidden pockets around the country where no push has been made to get internationals to exercise their political rights, which he anticipates will keep their overall turnout low. Together with youth delegates from Norway and Sweden at the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities from the Council of Europe, Matache has developed a model on how to raise awareness among non-Danes of the relevance of participating in local politics, and he urges nonDanish voters to take an interest in local politics to affect change. Representing our needs MATACHE is one of many non-Danish citizen candidates running for office on an agenda of helping his fellow internationals. Fellow Socialdemokratiet candidate Keith Gray, who hails from the Shetland Islands in Scotland, intends to devote himself to international citizens, particularly those on meagre incomes who don’t feel they are treated as first-class citizens. Other non-Danish citizen candidates include Ecaterina Pedersen, a Romanian woman running for Alternative in Frederica, and Fiodor Chior, another
Romanian-Moldavian candidate, who is hoping to become a Venstre councillor in Frederiksberg – just two more of many standing for election.
Alexandra Miruna Ionescu
Wary of foreign clout CLEARLY the rising number of candidates and voters is having an effect, with some right-wingers claiming that foreigners could jeopardise the results. “In local elections, a very few votes can have a great influence on the outcome, and I don’t think it is reasonable that we in Denmark should run the risk of letting a few foreigners decide,” Holger Gorm Petersen, a local councilor for the nationalist Nye Borgelige party in Vejle, told DR. Meanwhile, Dansk Folkeparti would prefer it if only Danish citizens were able to run for office in Denmark or, failing that, if there was a requirement for all candidates to pass a language test. Overall, it seems a safe bet that more non-Danish voters will take part in this election, but whether they will end up electing a number of non-Danish citizens remains to be seen.
ELECTION NEWS
17 - 30 November 2017
Standing for erection
“We could eradicate sex trafficking!” DAVID ZEPERNICK
PER ZEIDLER
Ziedler: man with a van
Zepernick: man with a plan
SOME POLITICIANS warm up for elections by meeting with constituents, while others hang up posters or spread the good word on social media. Per Zeidler, though, apparently prefers a slightly different strategy. Zeidler, currently the head of the Committee for Family Affairs in Syddjurs Municipality in Jutland, is being investigated by police for his involvement in two gangbang events, reports the aptlynamed Stiften.dk. Zeidler reportedly twice drove two young women to and from sex orgies involving eleven men at the Ammitsbøl Forsamlingshus near Vejle. (CW)
ACCORDING to David Zepernick a Radikale candidate in the municipal elections, not enough political priority is being given to the fight against human trafficking – particularly with regard to the situation of foreign prostitutes on streets like Istegade in Copenhagen. The chair of the Safe and Alive Foundation, an organisation working to assist victims of trafficking – is concerned the work of the women (mostly from Nigeria and Romania) poses a health risk to themselves and others. With the right approach, Zepernick believes “we could eradicate sex trafficking in Denmark”. (BH)
Allerslev finally quits
Surely the same stage? VENSTRE.DK
ANNA MEE ALLERSLEV
Allerslev: ma’am liked to scam
Stage: ma’am in a jam
ANNA MEE Allerslev is now the former deputy mayor for employment and integration in Copenhagen. Just weeks ahead of spearheading Radikale’s municipal election campaign, she resigned on the heels of another scandal. The straw that broke the camel’s back concerned Allerslev reaching out to the municipal authorities to help push through a building permit for a friend, which was granted within days of Allerslev’s inquiry. In September it emerged that Allerslev used City Hall to hold her August wedding reception for free, and more heat in the media swiftly followed. (CW)
CAN YOU be a health spokesperson as well as a paid lobbyist for the tobacco industry? That is the question facing Caroline Stage on social media as a result of a post on Twitter by communications advisor Jonas Juhler Hansen. The local politician, who is the spokesperson on health matters for Venstre in Copenhagen, has been criticised for wearing too many hats at once. On her LinkedIn page she is also listed as ‘government affairs manager’ for British American Tobacco. In a posting on the subject, Hansen described the situation as “a bizarre satire”. (SG)
Working harder than ever LOCAL politicians work an average of 20 hours a week on their affairs – an almost 100 percent jump on the amount of time they spent in 1970, according to the national centre of applied social science, VIVE. According to its study ‘Kommunalpolitisk barometer 2017’, which surveyed close to a thousand local politicians, 60 percent say the work (on top of their regular jobs) eats into their personal life. Lene Holm Pedersen, a research director at VIVE, attributed the growth to the rise in the number of municipal institutions such as schools, retirement homes and daycare institutions. (BH)
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Before long, you’ll belong Settling into a new country can be challenging – especially for the nonworking spouse. We know, from studies and from experience, that a successful posting depends on the happiness of the entire family – and our school is home to a very active, warm and welcoming community. Our PTA offers a wide range of opportunities: newcomers network, Spring Fair, Halloween, Yoga, Activities Fair, Wine and Cheese Evening, Dads’ Club and Ladies’ Night Out. Dedicated parents coach our sports teams, run our boy scouts and serve on the school Board. At CIS the whole family finds a place to grow roots and make friends. So to quote one of our parents: “I came for the job, but we stayed for the school.”
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NEWS
THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK
ONLINE THIS WEEK DENMARK is losing out when it comes to receiving investment from the EU. The union had 315 billion euros to spend from 2015-2017, and Denmark ranked 24th out of the 28 states for the amount they got compared to their GDP. Only Cyprus, Malta, Romania and Luxembourg received less than Denmark. Overall, Estonia received the most, followed by Bulgaria and Greece.
Baby hatch a possibility A MAJORITY in Parliament is in favour of establishing a socalled baby ‘hatch’ where parents can drop off their unwanted babies and remain anonymous. Since 2004, eight live and five dead babies have been found in Denmark abandoned by their parents. The hatch would cost 2 million kroner to establish and run.
1813 under pressure AMID CLAIMS its staff are not suitably trained, the 1813 emergency hotline has come under fire in the wake of a number of cases in which symptoms were overlooked and incorrect or inadequate advice was given, causing several deaths in the process. Furthermore, a P4 København survey reveals that the hotline was undermanned on 39 percent of the days in 2016.
Reckless but responsible AS PART of its new crimetackling initiative ‘Every action has consequences’, the state aims to lower the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 12. In related news, a third of the country’s most hardened youth criminals (ages 10-17) are immigrants or descendants of immigrants from non-Western countries - a group that accounted for just 3.7 percent of youths born in 1996.
New ID cards SINCE November 1, citizens above the age of 15 have been able to apply for an ID card from their municipality, which can be used as an alternative to a passport or driver’s licence. The card, which measures 8.5cm x 5.4cm and costs 150 kroner, includes a photo and the CPR number of the holder.
Like Shania said: Man, I feel for you, woman PIXABAY
EU investment shortfall
17 - 30 November 2017
No, nothing to do with #metoo, more the alarmingly selective way of reporting statistics
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T’S FUNNY how we only learn the gender breakdown when it suits the media or the survey takers. There’s a tendency when it’s a negative finding – something men are more guilty of than women, for example – to lump the sexes together. But if women are the biggest culprits - like in a recent report about ‘mothers’, not ‘parents’, abandoning their babies - then it’s open season. Seeing red on the road TAKE ROAD rage. According to a new Megafon survey for the Vejdirektoratet road directorate, 40 percent of Danish drivers are most prone to getting annoyed in traffic – particularly by drivers hogging the fast lane. Some 89 percent of the respondents believed they drove safely. The second most annoying environment was shopping, which was cited by 21 percent, with workplaces scoring 17 percent, friends and family 15 percent and other environments 7 percent. Ode to the cat woman IN CONTRAST, Metroxpress could barely contain itself when a YouGov survey revealed that 21 percent of women felt closer to their pets than their own parents and siblings. The finding that 23 percent of those aged 18-29 felt the same barely registered. “You get unconditional love from your pet,” Jill Brynit, a psychologist affiliated with the University of Southern Denmark who may or may not have been recently dumped, told the newspaper.
This survey about pain thresholds found that ‘parents’ are badasses
“The more egotistical side of our relationship with animals means we have perhaps become so self-sufficient that we really can’t be bothered with the demands of others.” Daddy’s not home THERE’S no hiding for men when it comes to the average amount of paternity leave they take when compared to their Nordic brothers – an average of 31 days in 2015, compared to 297 days taken by mothers. Danish fathers take just 10 percent of the total parental leave available – a long way behind their counterparts in Sweden and Iceland, who take around 30 percent. The government has launched a new campaign, ‘Orlov - tag det som en mand’ (Paternity leave – take it like a man), to encourage men to take more time off. Uni, marry, die at home IN OTHER survey news, it has been revealed that university applicant numbers have risen from 12 percent of school leavers in 1980 to almost 50 percent today, although the dropout rate jumped from 5.6 percent in
1980 to 13 percent in 2005. The number of Danes dying in hospital or a hospice over the last 35 years has fallen from 54 to 43 percent as more are dying at home, in an old people’s home, or other place outside hospital, according to figures obtained by Momentum. Nearly 30 percent of Danish families with children are single parent units – the highest rate in Europe according to Eurostat. Some 54 percent of the single parent families in Denmark have just one child, and 36 percent have two. The number of Danes getting married increased in 2016 for the third consecutive year. In total, almost 31,000 couples tied the knot – about 1,900 more than was the case in 2015. And finally, the average age in Denmark has increased from 38.2 to 41.3 over the past 30 years, the most common causes of death for men and women are cancer and cardiovascular disease respectively, and 94,365 people immigrated to Denmark last year, with most coming from the US, Romania, Germany, Poland and the UK.
Division over play
Missing tourism revenue
Laptop idea expelled
DION SOMMER, a psychology professor at Aarhus University, has told JyllandsPosten that the government and municipalities disagree over learning goals for young children. While the state leans towards focusing on play, the municipalities favour a “straight jacket” approach. Sommer contends that some kids are “worse at the subjects that they were forced to start learning earlier”.
DENMARK is missing out on 500 million kroner a year as tourists from its ‘neighbours’ go elsewhere. Th e country needs strong year-round destinations outside the big cities that are not vulnerable to bad weather, contends Dansk Industri. However, the German tourist figures are healthy, with increasing numbers trying to buy summerhouses – three times as many in 2016 compared to 2014.
THE EDUCATION minister, Merete Riisager, has backtracked on a proposal to check student laptops in the hunt for exam cheats following intense criticism. Critics of the policy argued students were entitled to privacy. Under Riisager’s proposal, schools would have been able to monitor social media accounts and search histories and log files. Failure to comply could have resulted in expulsion.
ONLINE THIS WEEK Flat hand or farm hand FILM PRODUCER Zentropa could face investigation after it was revealed co-founder Peter Aalbæk punished student workers by offering them a choice between a smack on their buttocks or confinement on his farm. While Aalbæk smacks the women, his gay colleague hits the men. Meanwhile, Aalbæk has said a claim he sexually harassed a woman in the 1990s “sounded likely”.
Shorter week proposed EIGHT of the unions representing Copenhagen Municipality employees want a pilot project set up to try out a 30-hour working week. The unions claim this would prevent many employees developing stress, cut absences due to sickness, and help people balance their work and family lives better. The municipality, which calculates it would cost 3.6 billion kroner per year, is against the idea.
Good will hunting THE INITIATIVE ‘Den Gode Testamente’ aims to tackle the problem of Danes dying intestate. Only 17 percent have a will, claim the charities behind the push, who would like to see more Danes bequeathing to good causes. In related news, a VIVE study suggests there could be a timebomb of immigrants living in poverty when they reach pension age.
Who’d be a clever clogs? EXCELLING in class can leave children socially vulnerable and, in the end, they may learn less than their not-so-bright classmates, according to a study by Metropolitan University College in Copenhagen. The study followed a group of kids through grades 4-6 and found that other students, and sometimes teachers, found ‘clever clogs’ irritating and even disruptive.
Fungi blamed for deaths TWO CHILDREN died in Haslev in southern Zealand last month. It is believed they ate poisonous fungi along with ten other members of their family, of which nine were hospitalised.
NEWS
17 - 30 November 2017
ONLINE THIS WEEK New culture centre in LA NEPHEW guitarist Kristian Riis is the brains behind a new networking centre based in the US that will help promote Danish and Nordic art and culture, assisting artists from the region in getting a stateside foothold. Provisionally entitled the Nordic Culture Embassy, it has an address overlooking the Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles.
War on pet peddling DENMARK along with Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany has made a declaration of intent to put a stop to the illegal pet trade. An estimated 46,000 dogs and cats are transported across different EU borders every month. Eurogroup for Animals estimates it is the most profitable form of illegal trade after weapons and drugs.
Dangerous dawdling
Denmark’s corporate tax shortfall could fund half its annual police costs
NEW REPORT suggests Denmark misses out on 5 billion kroner per year in corporation tax from money being sent to tax havens – the equivalent of financing half the annual cost of the police force. In total, an estimated 5 trillion kroner is diverted by companies worldwide, depriving governments of 1.4 trillion kroner in unpaid tax. The problem is thought to be worse in the EU due to the ease of using tax havens such as Ireland, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
of Copenhagen in co-operation with the University of California – Berkeley, one of the report’s co-authors, Ludvig Wier, told TV2 News that there are “massive transactions in the form of services that are really difficult for the tax authorities to monitor”. “Our great fear is that we are actually underestimating this,” he added. “The ‘Paradise Papers’ confirm the tendencies we’ve seen in our extensive data, and our research suggests we’ve only identified a small fraction of the tax avoidance taking place.” The high-profile names linked to the Paradise Papers include Queen Elizabeth II, the musicians Madonna and Bono, and the co-founder of Microsoft, Paul Allen.
Interesting reading THE REPORT makes interesting reading following the ‘Paradise Papers’ leak on November 5 from the Appleby law firm in Bermuda, which included the names of around 140 Danish companies and individuals who have been customers since 1950. Produced by the University
Antiquated system THE PROBLEM for countries such as Denmark where taxes are high is that money paid for products and services goes directly to tax havens. This means authorities are powerless to collect corporation tax. “The main problem with the present system is that it is 100
“Can I borrow Greenland”
‘Løve’: an unhappy ending
CHRISTIAN WENANDE
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Race to the bottom AS THINGS stand, a number of countries are involved in a ‘race to the bottom’ to see who can lower corporation taxes the most in the hope that multinationals won’t send all their profits abroad. And this was evident from the minutes of a recent Council of Ministers meeting addressing tax sheltering agreements, which reveal Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta and the UK were being obstructive, reports Politiken. “Unfortunately, some countries have a very lucrative business offering the kinds of solutions that countries such as Denmark think of as tax avoidance or which open up the possibility of tax evasion,” the finance minister, Kristian Jensen, told the newspaper.
Must-have Tramp-agotchi HORNSLETHHOMELESSTRACKER.COM
Aid to support refugees THE GOVERNMENT has allocated 135 million kroner to aid internally-displaced Iraqis and stabilise areas liberated from the jihadist organisation IS. And a further 32 million kroner has been earmarked for local communities in southern Bangladesh affected by the arrival of an estimated 900,000 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar this year.
Cable link confirmed A POWER cable linking Denmark to the UK, which will be the world’s longest, has been approved. The 750 km Viking Link cable from south Jutland to Lincolnshire in England will have a 1,400 MW capacity – the equivalent of about a third of Denmark’s average electricity consumption. Construction will begin in 2019 and should be completed by 2022.
ONLINE THIS WEEK
years old. When it was designed, multinationals didn’t really exist,” continued Wier, who advocates a more simple system. “If 5 percent of your sales are in Denmark, then we should tax 5 percent of your income,” he suggested.
MARK MADAPPAN
ORTHUBERRA
A DANISH woman has been rescued in Thailand some 24 hours after wandering off a trail and getting lost while visiting a popular waterfall in the Rayong Mountains. The woman, 51, was found by rescuers about 1,500 metres from the trail she had left. She walked away from the ordeal with minor injuries to her ankle.
Tax havens deprive state of billions
The ultimate game of Risk
Mark has his own family now
Look at that lovely lolly
THERE was a time when you could drunkenly call up companies and complain for the sake of it. That’s right – another human being! Railway operators, TV companies, German manufacturers of combination ovens … it wasn’t a proper night out if it didn’t end haranguing a weary shift worker. So pity today’s generation, reared on number menus, long queues and easy listening music. However, that didn’t deter Joe from America, who has shared with Bored Panda his email application to the Danish government to borrow the “country” of Greenland and the unexpected reply he received. (BH)
IT’S THE last ten minutes of ‘Lion’ – spoiler alert! Dev Patel’s character Saroo has traced his way back to the shack he used to call home when he was five. Within minutes he is embracing his mother and sister. But imagine if the film had ended differently. As the credits roll, we’re left with the figure of a forlorn man who had pieced together the jigsaw to discover it was a Jackson Pollock. In the case of Mark Madappan Nielsen, a 45-year-old Dane adopted in Dehli in 1979, this is his reality, reports thenewsminute. com. His search for his home and family continues. (BH))
KRISTIAN von Hornsleth would appear to be making progress with his controversial conceptual art project, ‘The Hornsleth Homeless Tracker’, which sells homeless people in London as if they were a real-life Pokémon Go or, as the artist describes them, a ‘Tramp-agotchi’. So far the Danish artist has sold two of his exclusive gold accounts (for 210,000 and 238,000 kroner), which grants the buyer exclusive access to a homeless person’s movements via a tracking device, along with a gold-plated portrait of the subject. The homeless person in each case received half the proceeds. (BH)
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Iceberg sinks dog law THE CASE of Iceberg – an Italian dog banned in Denmark, which was sentenced to die by the Danish authorities, but then won a reprieve after a public outcry in Italy – has led to a rewriting of the law. In the future, the dog will be deported if found to be dangerous to society. In other news, DR radio channel P1 has accused a Roskilde breeder of selling overpriced dogs to Swedish Defence.
Standing tall at COP23 AHEAD of the two-week climate conference COP23 in Bonn, which concludes on November 17, the government said it was motivated to ensure that the Paris Agreement continues to be implemented – despite the US withdrawal by the Trump administration. Following Nicaragua’s acceptance last month, Syria is the only other country not to sign.
Khartoonist arriving SUDANESE political cartoonist Khalid Albaih is moving to Copenhagen as part of the ICORN (International Cities of Refuge Network) program, which provides protection to artists whose freedom of speech is threatened. He will be here for two years. Examples of Albaih’s work can be seen on his aptly-named Facebook page ‘Khartoon!’
DFDS stalemate ends FOLLOWING over three months of limbo, the 12 migrants held aboard a DFDS ferry operating between Ukraine and Turkey for not having proper ID cards have finally been released. Six of the 12 migrants, who had threatened to commit suicide and set fire to the ship in frustration at being held on the ship, were sent to Algeria, while the others were sent to Morocco.
EU responsibility assumed DENMARK officially assumed the presidency of the EU Committee of Ministers on November 15, a position that it will hold for the next six months. The committee is the Council of Europe’s statutory decision-making body.
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NEWS
THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK
ONLINE THIS WEEK NEW RESEARCH at Aarhus University could help women struggling to conceive to become pregnant with their own eggs by activating the ones most likely to succeed. In related news, a University of Copenhagen team have developed a natal treatment guide, PartoMa, for developing nations; and the number of caesarian births last year fell below 20 percent for the first time since 2003.
The drone drain AARHUS University academic Rasmus Ejrnæs believes a 76 percent fall in the number of flying insects in 63 protected areas in Germany over the past 27 years is down to “changing land use”, he tells DR. The decline is a threat to many birds and animals, which depend on the insects as food, as well as plants that depend on the insects for pollination.
Nature like charity COMPANIES and private individuals are being invited to support a state initiative, folkeskove (‘people’s forests’), to ensure clean drinking water supplies, cleaner air and more nature for people to enjoy. Some 74 percent of the nation’s recreational nature (forests, meadows, heaths, lakes, rivers, streams and marshes) is privately owned, according to Danmarks Statistik.
A step ahead of the Grim Reaper
ONLINE THIS WEEK PIXABAY
Fertility boost
17 - 30 November 2017
Thank you media! Without your advice, we’d all have died years ago
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OO MUCH orange juice could kill you – you could drown in it. And it is often with logic like this that we choose to live in fear, fuelled by the media’s obsession with telling us the Grim Reaper is waiting around the corner. The last month has been no different. Homicidal hygge FOR STARTERS, stop waxing lyrical about candlelight cosiness! A University of Copenhagen (KU) study reveals 60 percent of the indoor ultrafine particles found in Copenhagen homes stems from candles. The ultrafine particles are hazardous to our health, and it is advised hygge lovers regularly air out their rooms and opt for small candles placed out of the draft with short wicks. Pernicious pollution BUT WILL candles kill us? Air pollution will, according to the Food and Environment Ministry, although the main offenders tend to be diesel cars and woodburning stoves. Some 3,600 people in this country annually die earlier than they should from breathing in the toxic particles in the air: 550 in Copenhagen and Frederiksberg municipalities alone.
ANDREAS Gylling Æbelø, the head of the Danish AIDS organisation, believes Denmark has the right set-up to stop the spread of HIV. By using PreExposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), a new pill that prevents infection, Æbelø is confident his organisation can “pinpont the people who are at risk of being infected very accurately and “break the chain of infection”.
A visual sign to the Reaper that he is welcome to visit
Doctor death BUT YOU’RE not safe with one. In 2016, there were 42,797 ‘unintentional incidents’ reported in Danish hospitals, but the real figure is probably much higher, reports Videnskab.dk. An ‘unintentional incident’ is defined as being something that causes harm – or the risk of harm – to a patient. Personnel are obliged to report all such incidents, but research points to this often being ignored. Whacked by Watson AND YOU can’t trust the equipment. For example, ‘Watson’, a cognitive intelligence computer program devised by IBM to treat cancer patients, has suggested medicine that would have killed the patient, reports Ingeniøren. An evaluation test found that at least one-third of its suggested treatments were completely wrong. Nevertheless, some hospitals continue to use Watson.
their future treatment within the 30 days required by law, TV2 reports. In Region Hovedstaden, only 60 percent of cases were cleared in the first quarter. Foul play of the jackal THE SIGHT of a European jackal could bring on a heart condition. And now it’s warned that it’s bringing a nasty passenger with it: the ‘dermacentor reticulatus’ tick, which carries the ‘rickettsia raoultii’ bacteria. When humans are bitten and infected, it can lead to disturbances of the lymphatic system and black tissue scarring. Fortunately, the bacteria is easily treatable.
Heartless oversight ELSEWHERE, a new report from the health authority Sundhedsstyrelsen has revealed serious deficiencies in the way patients with heart conditions are treated. Almost every fifth heart patient was either not processed or had not received a plan for
The cat’s pajamas WHO SAID dogs were a man’s best friend? New research by Dansk BørneAstma Center in Gentofte and KU shows that in homes where there is a cat in residence, children have a much smaller chance of developing asthma, reports Videnskab.dk. Cats neutralise the increased risk of asthma developing in children who have a specific genetic variant. And they also offer the kids protection against lung infections and respiratory infections such as bronchitis. Dogs came nowhere near to having the same effect. (BH)
THE GOVERNMENT’S energy tech fund, Det Energiteknologiske Udviklings- og Demonstrationsprogram, has allocated 183 million kroner to green energy projects, taking its total 2017 outlay to 313 million.
Coughing … or coffin? COUGHING could be a sign you’re in trouble. Around 160,000 Danes have a chronic cough – defined as one that lasts for eight weeks or more. A study suggests it could be a sign of a serious lung infection such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Anyone with a chronic cough should consult a doctor... say doctors.
More prone to lung cancer
Occluded October
World leader in AI?
Research central
THE NUMBER of women with lung cancer has risen from 617 in 1978 to 2,324 today. In contrast, fewer men (2,023) have it compared to 39 years ago (2,173). The data suggests women are more vulnerable than men. In related news, Danish researchers are close to having a bone marrow cancer vaccine. The disease affects 350 Danes every year and the only cure is a bone marrow transplant.
DENMARK experienced its least sunny October for 16 months, confirms DMI. The month was also far warmer and wetter than normal. Overall, it has been a poor year for sunshine, with Denmark getting 45 minutes per day less than its normal quota of four hours and 12 minutes. Edinburgh, Torshavn, Dublin and Reykjavik are the only western European capitals to get less.
ARTIFICIAL intelligence can help companies avoid losing customers, employing similar algorithms to those used to predict traffic accidents, claims the Alexandra Institute according to di.dk. The institute oversees the new Danish Centre for Applied Artificial Intelligence at the University of Copenhagen and predicts Denmark could become one of the world’s leading AI countries.
IN A BUSY month for research, Danish bodies have been investigating if cleaning vegetables speeds up their decay, if a snake species can be identified from its bite, if an infectious disease increases the risk of epilepsy, if drug-resistant malaria parasites can be contained using a mapping process, if the aquaculture of mussels produces unholy amounts of methane, and if the womb is indeed a sterile environment.
Energy funding boost
Stopping spread of HIV
Vaccine’s perfect strike rate A STUDY carried out by Kræftens Bekæmpelse, the Danish cancer society, reveals that not one of 2,000 women from Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden given the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination over a decade ago have any signs of cervical cancer related to the four types of HPV that the vaccine protects against.
High interest A TOTAL of 13 companies have applied for permission from the Lægemiddelstyrelsen medicine authority to grow cannabis, despite Parliament not yet approving it. Nevertheless, from next year until the end of 2021, it will be possible to legally obtain a prescription for medicinal cannabis. Some 22 million kroner has been set aside for the four-year trial.
No change in plastic level A STUDY reveals that microplastic levels have remained constant in the Baltic over the last 30 years – despite production increasing dramatically. Scientists are slightly surprised, although it has been suggested that some of the microplastics might be carried away by ocean currents, or that organisms are somehow breaking it down.
Organically growing THE GOVERNMENT has teamed up with Dansk Folkeparti to set aside 315 million kroner to help farmers converting to organic. More produce could reduce the cost, which Netto believes is still putting some customers off. Meanwhile, the industry is targeting Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia region, where only 0.5 percent of the catering industry uses organic.
NEWS
17 - 30 November 2017
ONLINE THIS WEEK. BRØNDBY beat FC Copenhagen at Telia Parken Stadium for the first time in 13 years on November 5. The 0-1 loss was FCK’s first home defeat since August 2014 and leaves their rivals 11 points ahead in the Superliga standings. It came three days after the Lions’ 3-0 demolition of Czech outfit Zlin – a win that leaves them top of their Europa League group.
Woz on fire ON OCTOBER 29, Caroline Wozniacki, 27, secured the biggest triumph of her career, beating Venus Williams 6-4, 6-4 to win the seasonend WTA Finals in Singapore – her first victory in eight attempts against the American. She is now number three in the world. Meanwhile, youngster Clara Tauson, 14, has won her first senior tournament, the ITF tournament in Stockholm.
Haas boss backs Mags HAAS BOSS Guenther Steiner has told espn.com it is a sign of a good F1 driver if they get into squabbles. In one incident, Kevin Magnussen told Nico Hulkenberg to suck his balls. After 19 of the 20 races this season, Mags is 14th with 19 points.
To mark the opening of its new international school, SceneKunst is offering free tuition for a year to one lucky twinkle-toes
ONLINE THIS WEEK SCENEKUNST
Brøndby’s bragging rights
Win a theatre school scholarship!
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CENEKUNST, A leading musical theatre school for children, is offering a scholarship to its new international school at Vibenshus Skole in Østerbro. The location will become SceneKunst’s second international school and 18th school in total, joining locations in Hellerup, Roskilde, Sydkysten, Lyngby and Østerbro. Additionally, a free three-hour trial day is being held on January 13 to give youngsters a taste of what they can expect. Are you harbouring a star? WHILE this offer will appeal to parents who believe they might be harbouring the next Fred Astaire, it’s important to remember that SceneKunst is inclusive of a wide range of abilities as well as ages (4-18). Tellingly, there is no audition process to join, but often a waiting list given its popularity. Teamwork, summer camps,
‘Bridge over Troubled Water’ MUSICAL THEATRE
Dancing, singing, acting and all-out fun
and Christmas and summer performances at prestigious venues such as Det Ny Teater all play a role in what can be a journey of self-discovery. “Each student is equally important to us. It is not only about teaching them skills in acting, dancing or singing, but about improving their self-confidence, making friends and teamwork. And, of course, having fun,” Collins told CPH POST.
big TV2 drama period due out next year, and two other students are currently in Poland filming next year’s Christmas calendar show for DR. “We continue to unearth and develop exceptional talent, and our continued success in the professional world is testament to this,” said Collins.
Already an excellent reputation THANKS to the high level of tuition from its professional teachers, the students now have a strong reputation. Just recently, a young student finished filming a main role in a
Win a scholarship! SO IF YOU think your child could be the next Meryl Streep, enter the contest for a free oneyear scholarship by answering this question: ‘What year was SceneKunst founded in?’ Remember to book a place at the trial, and send your answer to info@scenekunstskoler.dk. (BH)
‘Educating Rita’
‘Rice Pudding in a Duvet’
PLAY
BOOK
Thor with Redskins ANDREAS ‘Thor’ Knappe has been added to the Washington Redskins practice squad following a successful trial. Should he make the active roster, he could become the first Dane since Morten Andersen to play in the NFL.
New Superliga record HOBRO’S Norwegian striker Pål Kirkevold has scored in nine consecutive Superliga games – a new record. In related news, Rosenborg striker Nicklas Bendtner could add the golden boot to his Eliteserien medal.
Hitman Mads MADS MIKKELSEN has landed himself a role as an ageing hitman in ‘Polar’, an adaptation of Victor Santos’s graphic novel.
DESPITE the initial shock at the foreign tongue, one’s inhibitions surrounding the uptight, often overbearing feeling of the theatre all begin to melt away, letting the focus shift to the performative nature of the art. I gave in to the flow and direction of the two-man performance, letting the sparse dressing room setting pull me giddily through Simon & Garfunkel’s golden years only to be crushed by their inevitable split. Though the story was nothing new to fans of the duo, the anthological exploration of their albums in the context of the era gave new meaning to each song. (NM)
THERE was a reason why this newspaper interviewed recent theatre graduate/busy actress Dawn Wall in early September: she’s going to be a star! And this was head and shoulders the best performance given by an actress in a That Theatre production over the last decade. From the very first scene, she made the fourth wall’s first floor windows come alive through her curious gaze, which as the play evolved became ever more confident and knowledgeable. It underpinned a tour-de-force of comic timing, thoughtful inflection and impressive intuition. (BH)
‘RICE PUDDING in a Duvet’, a journey home with snacks by Heather Gartside, is a book that brings on an occasional snigger and sometimes leaves you feeling downright disturbed. Throw in a good handful of what Gartside describes as ‘Danbashing’ as a refreshing sorbet from all the nauseating over-exposure of Danish hygge by the foreign press, and you have a well-balanced yet peculiar novel/cook book/travel book. Although a little too gleaned from the personal experiences of the author, it’s an entertaining romp into territory that many of us wouldn’t touch with a bargepole. (DS)
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Bruno, Björk, bat biter THE LAST month has seen a stellar list of music acts confirm 2018 concerts. Bruno Mars, Björk and Ozzy Osbourne will headline Roskilde (June 30-July 7), NorthSide (June 7-9) and Copenhell (June 21-23) respectively. And U2 (no details), Sam Smith (April 20, Royal Arena), Rita Ora (May 27, Vega), André Rieu (June 22-23) and Level 42 (March 20-21 & 23) are also coming.
Women’s game cancelled THE DANISH women’s team could be thrown out of the 2019 World Cup after they failed to play Sweden on October 20 due to a pay dispute with the DBU federation. Talks between the DBU and the players’ association once again failed to resolve the issue in time. Denmark finished runners-up at Euro 2017, but this setback could reverberate for years.
Like it Misérables THE NATION’S favourite musical is ‘Les Misérables’ according to a list of its top 50 most popular songs compiled by DR radio station P2. The French-based romp took seven of the places, including number one for ‘Bring him home’. ‘The Sound of Music’ (five songs), ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ (four), ‘West Side Story’ (four) and ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ (three) completed the top five.
Patrick pummelled PATRICK Nielsen’s career is on the ropes following his second defeat in 30 fights. The super-middleweight was outclassed and knocked out in the fifth round at Wembley by British fighter John Ryder on October 14. Promoter Nisse Sauerland doubts he will work with him again.
Rushdie where the heart is AUTHOR Salman Rushdie is headlining the Heartland Festival (May 31-June 2) on Funen, a culture festival that also includes music, art and food.
10 BUSINESS
THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK
ONLINE THIS WEEK
Wind changes unfavourably in US
A DELOITTE analyst has told TV2 that Denmark could become one of the world’s first cashless societies. Some 33 percent of Danes use their smartphones to buy goods or transfer money – way ahead of their Nordic rivals. Meanwhile, experts warn the popularity of newly-launched Apple Pay could push up prices as stores pass the app’s fees back to consumers.
Maersk checks out MAERSK has sold the last of its stakes in Dansk Supermarked. Salling Fondene paid 5.53 billion kroner for the 19 percent chunk, taking its overall holding to 68 percent. Maersk was a shareholder in the supermarket owner for more than five decades. In related news, Norwegian supermarket Rema 100 is the nation’s favourite, according to a survey by Loyalty Group.
Holiday pay for all WORKERS in Denmark will from September 2020 get holiday pay from the beginning of their employment. Currently, they have to wait until May 1 to access the holiday pay accrued in the previous year – which can result in waiting up to 16 months.
Insurance industry adapting FORSIKRING og Pension is impressed by a new trend in the insurance industry that offers young customers tailor-made packages that are cheaper than traditional deals. Some 40 percent of young Danes aged 21-24 have no form of insurance, often because they are deterred by the price.
What economic boom? THE Q3 results have been relatively disappointing for most companies this past month. Telecom group TDC has seen both its turnover and customer numbers fall, Tivoli and Carlsberg blamed the sodden summer for slight dips in revenue, Matas is bleeding money ahead of a round of cost-cutting, and despite a 9,000-location deal with Deutsche Telekom, ISS was downbeat about stilted growth.
ONLINE THIS WEEK PIXABAY
First cashless society?
17 - 30 November 2017
Pharma giants feeling good ANALYSTS claim the US approval of Novo Nordisk drug Semaglutide, which improves glycaemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes, could provide the spine of the pharma giant’s turnover for the next decade. However, its immediate outlook is muted with 2-3 percent sales growth forecast. Rival Lundbeck is more optimistic, predicting a record result could be on the cards.
No more bubbles Excluding Alaska and Hawaii, the US has 5,000 miles of coastline and ... five offshore wind parks
Just six days after the Energy and Climate Ministry agreed a landmark deal in Washington DC, a Republican tax reform plan is doing its best to sink offshore wind energy into the sea
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ATHER like a walk on a blustery day in north Jutland, it has been a case of one step forward followed by two steps back in the US this past month. Fair winds apparently INITIALLY the winds were blowing in Denmark’s favour when its energy and climate minister, Lars Christian Lilleholt, met with the US secretary of the interior, Ryan Zinke, in Washington DC on October 26 to formalise a new wind energy agreement between the two countries. At present, there are just five offshore wind turbine parks along the entire US coast generating only 30 MW, and the co-operation will revolve around the exchange of experience and knowledge regarding how the US can expand its energy supply with more offshore wind turbines. Lilleholt invited Zinke to visit
Denmark next year to have a first-hand experience of Denmark’s experiences and solutions within offshore wind energy. Enter a tornado THE US Department of Energy has estimated that 35 percent of US electricity will be produced by wind energy by 2050 – and one fifth of that will be from offshore wind energy. But for that to occur, investment of 400 billion US dollars is required. And that might prove to be the sticking point, as on November 2, it was confirmed a Republican tax reform plan could include a phasing out of the production tax credit initiative adopted in 2015 and cut the amount of support being given to the wind turbine industry. Talk about the wind suddenly changing direction. Vestas’s sour Xmas gift THE NEW tax initiative would reduce the tax rebate by almost one-third to 15 dollars per magawatt-hour for projects started after 2 November 2017. Unsurpsingly, Vestas’s share price promptly fell by 8 percent at the news. Last year, close to one-third of its order book came
from the US, although the announcement of a new 1,200 MW project in Australia will quell its disappointment somewhat. “We’re working on giving the American people a big tax rebate for Christmas,” said President Donald Trump as he revealed the details of the initiative at the White House. App eyes huge US market IN OTHER stateside news related to Denmark, the team behind the ‘Too Good To Go’ app, which reuses food destined for the dustbin, has set its sights set on the US market. Since its foundation in 2015, the app has saved 2 million portions of food from being thrown out. New airline regulations will see stricter security controls carried out on passengers destined for the US, including a short interview, more checks and extra screening. And finally, AmCham Denmark, has named US medical device firm Medtronic as its 2017 Foreign Company of the Year. Previous winners of the award include DuPont, Bayer and Roche.
Expanding fast
Food promotion in India
Mixed overseas outlook
ON TOP of its 37,000 sqm branch near Vesterbro’s Fisketorvet, which is due to open in 2019, IKEA has confirmed plans to open a 20,000 sqm outlet in Esbjerg, targeting 400,000 customers within an hour’s drive. Also expanding is Legoland, which is building a 200 million kroner, 142-room themed castle hotel in Billund where kids can pretend they are knights, wizards and princesses.
A DELEGATION has visited India to promote Danish food solutions. The food minister, Esben Lunde Larsen, along with 21 companies and organisations, not only promoted the country’s food products, but also technology and knowledge associated with agriculture – such as cooling tech and food security expertise. Last year, India was Denmark’s 36th largest export market.
SOME 52 percent of Danes agree that globalisation makes Denmark more prosperous, according to a survey by DI. Only 10 percent disagreed, with 13 percent worrying it will ultimately cost the country jobs. According to another DI analysis, Danish consumers are not buying as many foreign goods as they did previously in periods of general economic growth.
NEW MORTGAGE rules from January – in a bid to prevent housing bubbles – will restrict how much home buyers can borrow to no more than four times their household income or 60 percent of the value of the property. Home buyers are increasingly favouring smaller properties due to concerns over borrowing and paying their fixed bills, such as energy expenses.
DR’s cashflow problem DR HAS cashflow problems due to decreasing revenue from licence payments, reports DR and is accordingly asking Parliament for half a billion kroner in collateral to tide it over. It is estimated DR will need 300 million a year in the future to make up for the shortfall.
12,000 jobs gone NORDEA and PostNord are both laying off 6,000 employees – mostly in Denmark. Nordea blamed a Q3 decrease in revenue and Denmark losing out to Finland as the bank’s HQ relocates from Sweden. The postal worker cuts are the result of a rescue package for the Danish postal service, which will see it start delivering parcels in a bid to break even by 2020. Only 4,000 will retain their jobs.
Investments criticised DANISH pension firms have been heavily criticised of late for investing in tobacco companies, the US electric car firm Tesla and, most recently, the owners of the controversial Cerrejon Mine in Colombia. Tesla is considered a bad choice because it won’t work with unions, pays its staff poorly and sustains high levels of work-related accidents.
BUSINESS OPINION
17 - 30 November 2017
NEIL SMITH DANISH CAPITAL IN 2017 Neil is a Scottish-educated lawyer with 15 years’ experience in corporate structuring and general commercial matters. Based in Copenhagen, he primarily advises on international deals. Out of the office his interests include sport and politics. His column explores topical international financial and economic issues from a Danish perspective.
PM’s intransigence CATALONIA’S unilateral declaration of independence self-evidently lacked not only legal but moral authority, given that there is no clear evidence it is backed by a majority of Catalans. It came as little surprise that the declaration
CARLOS MONTEIRO GIVE YOURSELF A CHANCE Carlos (cm@biassa.com), a Brazilian resident of Odense, started his business from a blog known as denmarkbrazil.com. It later became Biassa, a business development company, which under the motto ‘Bringing forth results, not reports’ is focused on supporting Nordic businesses that want to tap into and thrive in the Brazilian market
A huge challenge THE CHALLENGE for me was, unlike in my home country of Brazil, a networking one. I only had five business connections in the UK – hardly a robust portfolio. If I wanted to succeed in the UK, I was going to have to grow my network almost from scratch. Despite my lack of initial contacts, I grew my network to over 300 connections, many of whom were major players in e-commerce and apparel in the UK, Dubai, Turkey and Romania. These contacts led to 11 meetings (I’m talking whales) with some of the largest ecommerce players in the world and a grand total of 2.132 mil-
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Mind over Managing
Reckless refusal THEREAFTER, Rajoy could have tried to work with the many moderate Catalans. Instead, he doubled down, scorning the independence movement as a conspiracy. His
Fortunately the region’s Scrabble team were present to lend a hand
reckless refusal to negotiate with secessionists was popular outside of Catalonia, as Rajoy sought popularity on a Spanish unity ticket (ironically, the very thing his tactics threatened in the long run). Rajoy’s move backfired, leading to a whole new line of argument for an independent Catalonia Boxed into a corner, the secessionist leaders were forced into more serious acts of brinksmanship. The recent flawed (and largely meaningless) declaration of independence was in many ways
the foreseeable conclusion. Divided and discontented NEXT MONTH’S election is unlikely to lead to a magical breakthrough, and discontent may bubble for years. Rajoy’s intransigence has moved matters into dangerous territory; whilst some wavering Catalans may decide independence is not worth the trouble, others will only have their position reinforced. And a divided society is dangerous for Spain – politically, culturally and economically. PIXABAY
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N 2016, I WAS tasked by a client to help them increase their sales and industry presence in the UK market, specifically with the top 200 fashion and apparel brands and retailers in the region.
received limited support from the international community. A serious analysis of the situation must, though, accept that the secessionists were forced to take ever more drastic steps by the intransigence of Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy and his ruling People’s Party (PP). Although there is no clear majority for independence, most Catalans want constitutional change. Yet PP has been obstructionist for a decade, torpedoing, with an assist from the Constitutional Court’s controversial decision, large sections of the 2006 constitutional settlement, which would have given Catalonia greater rights within Spain.
PIXABAY
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NTIL LAST month, Spain was back in business after years in the economic doldrums. A constitutional crisis in Catalonia, one of its wealthiest and most populous regions, has changed everything. On top of mass demos and politicians detained in jail, it has had an economic impact. Around 1,500 companies have moved their headquarters. Caixa, one of Spain’s largest banks, says this was unavoidable to head off political risk. Meanwhile, Spain’s GDP forecasts were reduced, and the issue has reignited concerns about the Spanish economy.
lion US dollars in new business opportunities in the pipeline for my client. Structure to the rescue I CREDIT my success to a technique that is less commonly utilised by individuals and smaller teams: a sales cadence. For the uninitiated, a sales cadence is a structured system for the frequency that you (or your team) reach out to prospective clients and the methods that you use to contact them. Cadences vary greatly, but they all have the following in common: the frequency, method of contact and time of contact are structured and consistent. Whether you are a team of one or 50, implementing a well-defined sales cadence can provide a huge boost to the efficiency and effectiveness of your client prospecting process. Here are just a few of the advantages you can expect
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Plug into your customers’ needs with a well-planned cadence
from a well-defined sales cadence. Focused effort – follow the cadence and eliminate the risk of sending the same email, or making the same call, twice. Easy Tracking = Easy Refinement – Start off basic and then refine your approach according to your success rate. Scalability – Don’t depend on your memory to track your progress. It will also make it easier to enlist others to work with you.
Preparation or onboarding – Understand who your prospects are, what industry you are best equipped to serve, at what business stage your ideal client is at, and what region you want to focus on. Know your prospect – Do not leave anything to chance: from their name and company size and location, to who the best contacts are and how they operate on social media. Understand their world – Write specifically to them, understanding their needs, fears and challenges.
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Living in an Expat World
Union Views
Startup Community
The Valley of Life
Give Yourself a Chance
CPH Career
12 OPINION
THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK
17 - 30 November 2017
The siren call of the ballot box
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Lucrative bait THE HEADS of local municipal councils are paid reasonably well, but hardly enough to justify them being a full-time posts. The secret, though, is the municipal council’s ability to appoint the directors of the public utility boards. These services have increasingly been carved out from communally run entities to become communally owned limited liability companies run by directors who are not professionals. Publicly-elected local politicians hold these positions, which are often well paid, regardless of whether the candidate has any
A Dane Abroad
relevant qualifications. These positions are the rewards dangled as bait when the time comes to constitute the majority to back the mayor. Some people can get more than half a million kroner on the side at this game. It’s not a pretty sight - it’s a clandestine hand-to-hand fight, overruling old friendships and alliances. If you win it’s worth the dirty business, as you have four years in which to kiss and make up and get ready for the next election. It’s a numbers game ON A NATIONAL basis the political parties regard mayorships as political trophies, so we will see mayor tallies brandished as visible manifestations of the success of the hunt. Dansk Folkeparti are hoping for one or two mayors. Alternativet, Socialistisk Folkeparti, Radikale and Enhedslisten are just hoping for representation. The bulk of the country’s big city mayors are from Socialdemokratiet, and so traditionally is the lord mayor in Copenhagen. Venstre will take the rural cities, and Konservative will take the rich suburbs in north Zealand such as Gentofte. Portent for the future ALL IN all, we don’t know what impact the immigration question will have. Four years ago the panic of a perceived refugee tsunami made politicians turn pale. Refugees have now become a job-creating operation in many cities or districts, and this may have changed attitudes. Ultimately, the process is a mid-term indication as to which way the national winds will blow in the next general election. This is up to the PM to call when he decides that he has suffered enough humiliations keeping his hand on the national tiller. (ES)
Born and raised in Denmark, Kirsten jumped ship in her early 20s to spend the next 12 years living in New Zealand. A physiotherapist, acupuncturist, yogini and foodie, she has a passion for life and well-being. After a few stints back in the motherland, Kirsten is once again back living in Aotearoa, New Zealand. MARTIN PETER KNUDSEN
OCAL COMMUNITIES and regions are being called to the ballot box. These elections are held every fourth year – and never in between – so on November 21 the country’s municipal and regional councils are up for re-election. On the night following the election we will probably see strange coalitions being formed and dissolved before the dawn breaks, with the new – or old – mayor presenting him or herself. The constellations formed do not necessarily follow the national political pattern; blue becomes pink or reddish or the other way around before the wheeling and dealing is over. Being a council member is not terribly well paid. Even the country’s mayors are likely to earn more from their day jobs. But only one person is going to become mayor. Or at least outside the cities of Copenhagen and Aarhus, which both have a system whereby a number of deputy mayors are appointed according to the political parties’ relative political representation. If you get 10 percent of the votes, you are entitled to a deputy mayorship.
KIRSTEN LOUISE PEDERSEN
Medieval is the new black: a new look for dressage at the Olympics perhaps?
F
RESH FROM being roped into participating in a random, medieval-themed, open-air play on the island of Langeland – complete with live horses, evil brethren and noble king’s men – I am reminded of how frequently historical activities, particularly of the Middle Ages kind, are a part of everyday life in Denmark. Having lived in a ‘younger’ part of the world for years, experiencing this celebration of old history is fascinating, fun and surprisingly unifying. Here, tales from once upon a time, handcrafted historical costumes, and people training their horses for jousting or sword-fighting purposes are all fairly normal occurrences! UNESCO worthy NYBORG, my home town, is steeped in medieval history – in fact, so much so that it has become the trademark of a provincial centre that once served as the country’s main trade port and, for several centuries, even rivalled Roskilde as the capital. A massive restoration project involving the medieval fortress Nyborg Castle is currently combining classical restoration with bold, contemporary architec-
tural design to create a brand new platform from which to appreciate and experience the rich cultural heritage of medieval Nyborg. Ultimately, the campaign aims to land Nyborg on UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites. Seamed to suit you, sir DURING the annual medieval summer festival in Nyborg, I was lucky to borrow a costume and join in the festivities as one of the ‘characters’. Nyborg Castle has its own team of voluntary seamstresses who work all year to produce historically accurate costumes for the town’s events. The ladies tell me that only authentic fabrics like wool, linen and silk are used. The fabrics are hand-coloured using extracts from plants, beetles and crushed gemstones (yes, actually!), and the natural colour result is said to ‘suit anyone who wears them’. Bringing people together WANDERING the old town during the festival, I see smiling, curious people everywhere, petting the horses or getting wide-eyed talking to the Dutch female vet, who also moonlights as a bad ass, armour-clad jouster.
I see people interacting more freely and warmly compared to usual everyday life. I wonder if the notion of common history and the playfulness of being immersed in this ‘fantasy world’ brings out people’s childlike curiosity, causing them to lower their everyday guards. It strikes me that it takes a lot of people (and animals!) to recreate history. As well as the entertainment, it creates something for people to come together about, and through the activities and work required to make it happen it can bring life to otherwise overlooked towns and parts of the country. Xmas in the old town NEXT UP for Nyborg is the annual ‘Christmas Markets In The Old Regent City’, another seasonal attraction where the town’s historical frame will make for a magical experience. After many a Christmas under the scorching New Zealand sun, I’m welcoming the opportunity to gather and be merry under the glow of fairy lights, looking for the tastiest glögg to wash down my æbleskiver. Mmmmh! See you all there – with bells on!
OPINION
17 - 30 November 2017
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NEXT ISSUE
ZACH KHADUDU
Straight Up Zach Khadudu is a Kenyan by birth and a journalist by choice. He is a commentator and an activist with a passion for refugee and human rights. He may share a heritage with a certain US president, but his heart lies elsewhere – in the written and spoken word.
Mackindergarten ADRIAN MACKINDER
Straight, No Chaser
PIXABAY
STEPHEN GADD
IN 2 ISSUES
An Actor’s Life IAN BURNS Venstre with a headstart? Well it is the only choice whose party letter matches its name
T
HIS AUTUMN, I was a part of an international group of artists at the ACT theatre company that produced Henrik Ibsen’s play ‘An Enemy of the People’. It is remarkable how Ibsen’s classic, written at the close of the 19th century, reverberates in our time. Ahead of Denmark’s local elections this month, it is an opportune time to recalibrate and revisit what Ibsen called “the age old lie that the majority is always right”. That’s right. Democracy, now more than ever, has become a vicious double-edged sword. Start from the beginning IBSEN’S ‘An Enemy of The People’ is heralded by zealots and critics alike as being futuristic. In it he questions the core of democracy. Is the majority always right? What makes the majority right? What if the majority is wrong? In the age of Donald Trump’s America, the reinvigorated alt-right movements and the political shifts across Europe, one cannot help but ask of democracy: by and for who? “By the people for the people,” Lincoln would say. But then who are ‘the people’ in our context? The immigrants? The illegals? Bottle collectors? Refugees? Muslims? Are they part of ‘the people’? A year of great change OVER THE last year we have
seen interesting democratic processes across the world. In America, an openly fascist, racist chauvinist was elected president. In Germany, right-wing party Alternative for Germany gained ground and secured representation in the Bundestag parliament. In France, the youthful Emmanuel Macron, seen as the hope of a crumbling EU, was elected. Further afield in Africa, pseudo democratic processes were rampant. Rwanda’s oppositionbashing, media-threatening Paul Kagame won a one-man race with a landslide 98.63 percent (hahaha). The Supreme Court in my native Kenya quashed the presidential election result and ordered a new one, in which the incumbent Uhuru Kenyatta (again running against himself!) took 98 percent (LOL). In all these, the ‘red threat’ is a growing divide of extremes and otherings: leftists and rightists, ‘we’ and ‘them’, liberals, conservatives and whatever else there is. Mockacracy of democracy IN ‘THE Rise of Illiberal Democracy’, journalist Fareed Zachariah ponders the dilemma expressed by American diplomat Richard Holbrooke during the 1996 Bosnia and Herzegovina elections. “Suppose the election was declared free and fair,” Holbrooke noted, and those elected are “racists, fascists, separatists, who are
publicly opposed to [peace and reintegration]. That is the dilemma.” This observation may have been made in the context of the bloody civil wars that preceded that election, but it holds true to many other elections in stable democracies. As witnessed in the last general elections here in Denmark, the racist, islamophobia, nationalistic voices are loud and clear, elected in free and fair elections, in the country of NFS Grundtvig, Soren Kierkegaard, HC Andersen and Niels Bohr. Despite the screams and kicks of the self-proclaimed liberals and radicals, this government has steadily tightened immigration, successfully locked out thousands of asylum-seekers and is now readying its tentacles to cut the SU student support and the social welfare Denmark holds so dear. This government is an equal opportunity oppressor, not just of foreigners, but also the poor, the homeless and the sick. Nevertheless, vote! AS WINSTON Churchill said: “It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.” So for everyone eligible, be a gentle citizen. Do your duty. Go and vote. Otherwise move to Narnia, Mordor or Thomas More’s Utopia.
Fashion Jam JENNY EGSTEN-ERICSON
IN 3 ISSUES
The Road Less Taken JESSICA ALEXANDER
Mishra’s Mishmash MRUTYUANJAI MISHRA
IN 4 ISSUES
Crazier than Christmas VIVIENNE MCKEE
Early Rejser ADAM WELLS
14 COMMUNITY
THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK
17 - 30 November 2017
ABOUT TOWN
PHOTOS BY HASSE FERROLD
Another month has passed and with it five more national days celebrated by the diplomatic corps in Copenhagen. On October 25 (left), Czech ambassador Radek Pech’s guests included Indian ambassador Ajit Gupte and Spanish ambassador Enrique Pastor de Gana at his residence in Hellerup. Just one day later (centre left), the Austrian chargé d’affaires presided over proceedings at a concert at the aptly-named KoncertKirken in Nørrebro, where UAE ambassador Fatima Al Mazrouei was among his guests. On October 30 (centre), it was Turkey’s turn at the Odd Fellow Palæet on Bredgade in Copenhagen where ambassador Uğur Kenan İpek’s guests included UK ambassador Dominic Schroeder. And then two days later (centre right), Algeria’s, at Skovshoved Hotel, where the guests included (left-right) Ghanaian ambassador Amerley Awua-Asamoa, Niger’s ambassador Amadou Tcheko, Burkina Faso’s ambassador Maria-Goretti Agaleoue, Algerian ambassador Ali Benzerga, Palestinian ambassador Amro AA Alhourani, Pakistani ambassador Zulfiqar Gardezi, Nepalese ambassador Yuba Nath Lamsal and Benin’s ambassador Eusebe Agbangha. And finally, on November 9 (right), it was Japan’s turn to celebrate – specifically the birthday of its emperor at the residence of ambassador Toshiro Suzuki, where his guests included Ivory Coast ambassador Mina Balde Laurent, the dean of the diplomatic corps
Ian Burns and That Theatre enjoyed a successful premiere of their play ‘Educating Rita’ on October 25 at Krudttønden theatre in Østerbro. Dawn Wall and Burns took a well-deserved bow with their director Barry McKenna, who was then joined by (centre left: left-right) Claus Bue, Tom McEwan and Andrew Jeffers in the bar. The play continues until November 25. Also enjoying a successful opening night were the cast of ‘A Patriot’s Guide to America’ at the House of International Theatre at Huset (centre right: left-right): Alex Lehman, Jeremy Thomas-Poulsen (director/creator), Tom Hale and Tina Robinson. And the fun continued in the foyer after the show
Once again, there are a number of new ambassadors to welcome to these shores (left-right): Egyptian ambassador Salwa Moufid, Burkina Faso’s ambassador Maria-Goretti Blandine Agaleoue, Ghanaian ambassador Amerley Ollennu Awua-Asamoa and Norwegian ambassador Aud Kolberg. In time-honoured tradition, may we say respectively: Ahlan wa sahlan, Bienvenue, Akwaaba and Velkommen!
Prince Harry visited Denmark at the end of October, meeting the queen, Prince Joachim, and servicemen in connection with his Invictus Games project. He also visited several youth and social establishments, including Ørestad Gymnasium (above)
Stephen Kinnock (right), who is as short as 18/1 with Paddy Power to be the next leader of the UK Labour Party, accompanied his wife Helle ThorningSchmidt to the launch of her new book, ‘Hvad man ikke dør af’, at Arbejdermuseet on October 12
This year’s Christmas seal was unveiled by its patron, Crown Princess Mary, at City Hall on November 3, where she was joined by the Copenhagen mayor, Frank Jensen. This year’s design was created by artist Michael Wettendorff
COMMUNITY
17 - 30 November 2017
THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK
T
HERE WAS controversy at the third Copenhagen Conker Championship when it was discovered that the winner, Deon Bellingan of South Africa (left), had been playing with an upside-
down conker. The title was therefore awarded to Tasha Buus-Kamijimpanga of Denmark, whose strong-armed approach won her many fans.
For Jon Nunn, the organiser and judge, there could be no complaints about the weather, turnout and backdrop provided by Charlie’s Bar on Pilestræde in the city centre.
For me personally it was a very special tournament as it was the first time I introduced my seven-week-old daughter Lucy [pictured centre right with her mother Veronica] to the game,”
Nunn told CPH POST. “Of course, she was wearing full protective body armour as per rule 48 article 9 subsection E of the CCC rule book.” DAVE SMITH
Leading the drive is Gentofte Rugby Klub – pictured (left) in under-14s action against Dragør – which has more than 100 members representing 20
different nationalities, making it the biggest youth club in the country. Most of the players are aged 6-14, but one day the club
hopes to have teams representative of all the different school years. Future stars to look out for include (left-right) Ryan
McNeill; Jasper Hampson; Dagmar Mulipola; and Tess Hampson-Aldrick, Oliver Nielsen, Emma Jahant and Matilda Hampson. DAVE SMITH
THE GLOBE WEBSITE
Learn how the Danes celebrate Xmas – the julehygge way. Make decorations, sample treats and sing traditional songs. (Dec 3, 14:00-16:00, Gyldenløvesgade 11, Cph K; free adm, register online)
Traditional Thanksgiving food will be served with veggie options. Come early if you want to help decorate (Nov 23, 15:00-22:00, Studenterhuset, Main Hall, Købmagergade 52, Cph K, 100kr, limited tickets online)
Dip into the field of amateur acting by reading aloud different plays, testing out your versatility and potential as an actor (Nov 20, 18:30-21:00; The Globe, Nørregade 45, Cph K; free adm)
Get inspired by a night filled with three different stories from three incredible women at an installment of 3x15 put on by Copenhagen’s Salon Series (Nov 16, 18:3020:30; Peryton, Dronningens Tværgade 52, Cph K)
GAGE SKIDMORE
CPH SALON SERIES FACEBOOK PAGE
IHCPH.KK.DK
Learn more about the role European politics play in local affairs at this free election event at City Hall (Nov 17, 16:30-19:00; City Hall, Rådhuspladsen 1, Cph K; free adm, email peterherborgbay@gmail.com)
IHCPH.KK.DK
JEAN LEON GEROME FERRIS
COMING UP SOON
ALL PHOTOS: HERBIE FROM GENTOFTE RUGBY KLUB
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HE SUN is setting on another successful season of youth rugby, one of the fastest growing sports in Denmark.
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ALL PHOTOS: JON NUNN
OUT AND ABOUT
Actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is taking part in ‘The Arctic Imagination Project’, a discussion about the region’s melting ice (Nov 25, 17:00; Black Diamond, Søren Kierkegaards Plads 1, Cph K; 90-150kr, register online)
16 CHRISTMAS
THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK
17 - 30 November 2017
In between the garish tinsel, gems are waiting to be uncovered One of Copenhagen’s eternal festive charms is the wide range of Christmas markets that start popping up in midNovember. Some are tacky, but others offer the best shopping experience you’ll have this year
that gives the students and employees a chance to sell their own works. From ceramics, prints and jewellery to Christmas-themed food and drinks, this market is the perfect opportunity to find some truly unique gifts.
EMMA HOLLAR
Østerbro’s Hyggeligste Flea Market Dec 9-10, 10:00-16:00; Remisen Blegdamsvej 132, Cph Ø; 10kr If you’re looking for gently used Christmas gifts, the Osterbro’s Hyggeligste Flea Market is your perfect destination. In 2014 the market was featured in the magazine Antik and Auktion as one of Copenhagen’s best markets. Here you’ll find the classic Danish hygge atmosphere while shopping for gifts. Food and drinks will also be available to buy.
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OW THAT Halloween has past, Christmas is right around the corner and with it lots of festive markets. Inspired by various European cities, Copenhagen has some of the best Christmas markets, ensuring you get the most magical festive experience. Along with the traditional Xmas markets, there are plenty of alternative markets offering unique present possibilities. Mostly recommended WITH SO many options, it’s hard to know which market to choose? Well, we’ve carried out some extensive research and compiled a list of markets that mostly come recommended. Whether you’re just visiting Copenhagen or a local, these markets are sure to instil the Danish ‘julehygge’ in you. Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts Nov 26, 10:0017:00; Philip de Langes Allé 10, Cph K One of the most popular art markets is the one organised by the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture, Design and Conservation. The school hosts a Christmas market every year
Swedish Christmas Market Nov 24, 15:00-18:00, Nov 25-26, 11:00-17:00; Gustafskyrkan, Folke Bernadottes Allé 4, Cph Ø Enjoy Swedish Christmas delicacies such as lutfisk (preserved cod), mulled wine and gingerbread cookies at a market inspired by Astrid Lindgren, the author of the Pippi Longstocking books, where all those in attendance will be dressed in traditional folk attire. Warm yourself with Janssons frestelse, a Swedish fish casserole, while your kids must try julmust, a Christmas drink described as a cross between cola and root beer.
Design Xmas Market Dec 1-3, Fri 12:00-19:00, Sat & Sun 10:00-17:00; Victoria Ceramic Studio, Vesterbrogade 24B, Cph V; free adm Normally the home of six potters, Viktoria Ceramic Studio will for the seventh year in a row transform into a shopping wonderland where you can purchase goodies such as Copenhagen’s finest ceramics, jewellery, leather, knitwear and more unique items. Source sample products that you will not be able to find anywhere else, including work by designers such as Anders Bockelie, Christina Skov Christensen and Tina Marie of CPH Handmade. As well as shopping, you can visit the cosy café and enjoy some fresh pastries, hot drinks and mulled wine. Rita Blå’s Xmas Design Flea Market Dec 2-3, 12:00-17:00; Kulturhuset Indre By, Charlotte Ammundsens Plads 3, Cph K; free adm This market specialises in crafts, design and vintage clothing. Visiting the stalls is like attending a party as the music never stops. This Christmas edition includes children’s workshops, tasty Christmas food and musical performances. Bargains and Christmas trees. Flids Xmas Market Dec 2-3, 11:00-17:00; Nørrebrohallen, Cph N; over-12s: 30kr, under-12s: free adm: flidmarked. com Entrepreneurs, craftsmen and other exhibitors will be selling their one-off knick-knacks. Prints, jewellery and ceramics will be heavily
feature. Cards and Mobilepay accepted! Check the website for a list of the 100-odd stall holders. BaghusDK Xmas Market Nov 25-26 & Dec 2-3,10:0018:00; Vesterbrogade 107B, Cph V; free adm The Danish furniture, ceramics and jewellery designers at BaghusDK sell prototypes, discontinued goods, samples and exhibition products – all of their own creation. Look out for the discounts in their big Christmas sale and check out their range on the Facebook page. Christmas at Kødbyen Dec 9-10, 10:00-18:00; Kødbyen, Flæsketorvet, Cph V; koedbyensmadogmarked.dk An event at Kødbyen always ensures a down-to-earth yet edgy urban atmosphere. Enjoy a weekend in the food district filled with churros and flæskestegs sandwiches as well as many Christmas dishes and treats. There will also be lots of live music to enjoy while sipping your hot cocoa. The Royal Christmas Market at Kronborg Castle Nov 28-29 & Dec 5-6, open 10:0017:00; Kronborg Castle, Helsingør; 50kr; under-4s free adm; kongeligeslotte.dk The famous Hamlet Castle will once again be holding its annual Christmas market. Treat yourself like royalty and enjoy all of the magical Christmas festivities, such as horse-drawn carriage rides and watching the Fairy Tale Theatre in the great ballroom. Take the opportunity to find special, handmade Christmas products from the 100 stalls at the market and participate in gift-making work-
shops. Guided tours will also be provided for those who want to learn more about Christmas at Kronborg. Kongens Nytorv Christmas Market Nov 17-Dec 22; Kongens Nytorv, Cph K After what seems like decades of construction work, the Kongens Nytorv Christmas market is back. It’s mostly old hat, but you can’t beat the backdrop of the glittering lights adorning the fronts of Hotel D’Angleterre and Magasin. Christiania Christmas Market Dec 9-20, 12:00-20:00; The Grey Hall, Refshalevej 2, Cph K Freetown Christiania hosts an unconventional Yuletide fair around the Christmas holiday. Wonder through the hustle and bustle to find unique, handcrafted gifts such as jewellery, mirrors, wrought iron candle holders and more. Freetown Christiania is a unique place to visit at all times of the year, but visit this December to ensure a different holiday experience. Carlsberg’s Christmas Market Dec 1-12; Carlsberg Brewery, Gamle Carlsberg Vej 11, Cph V If you’re looking for Christmas food and more importantly the drinks, visit Carlsberg’s Christmas market. Here you’ll find a variety of holiday beers and special beer tastings paired with different chocolates, meats and more. Come and enjoy a Carlsberg Christmas and let the magic shine all over the brewery.
ADVERTORIAL
17 - 30 November 2017
Black Star shining bright!
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HANA’S strides towards consolidating democracy in the last 25 years have made it one of the shining examples on the continent of Africa. An independent judiciary worthy of popular trust, along with its vibrant media, has placed Ghana among the top three for freedom of speech and press freedom in Africa. As if by design since 1992, each of the two major political parties have been voted in and out of office after every two terms or eight years – and these developments have provided Ghana, which became the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa to become independent in 1957, with solid social capital, thus making it one of the most attractive destinations for foreign direct investments (FDIs). On 7 December 2016, the opposition leader Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo of the New Patriotic Party won a peaceful election on the promise of transforming an economy that for the past 60 years had been dependent on the export of raw materials to an industrial-based one. “Building a Ghana beyond aid and unleashing the strength of the private sector to take the lead in the country’s industrial transformation agenda is what my government is pursuing,” said President Akufo Addo at his first media encounter in July 2017. As part of the process of formalising the economy, the National Identification Authority has begun the issuance of national biometric cards to residents, and by the close of the year a digital property addressing system will also be in place.
Recent economic developments
DEVELOPMENTS in the economy continue to bear witness to the dreams and aspirations of the government. Economic indicators in the first half of 2017 showed signs of an improved macro-economic environment after a substantial fiscal slippage in 2016. The fiscal deficit for the first half of 2017 stood at 2.7% of GDP, which is on track to meet target of 3.5% of GDP. Ghana’s total debt had increased from 29.2 billion US dollars (73.1% of GDP) at the end of 2016, to $31.7 billion (68.1% of GDP) in 2017, reflecting a slowdown in the rate of external debt accumulation,
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A LEADER COMMITTED TO: • Economic governance – involving fiscal responsibility and discipline • Political governance – addressing corruption and unresponsive bureaucracies • Focus on productive sectors – addressing agriculture and industry, and • Improving the business environment – addressing bottlenecks and formalising the economy. as well as higher GDP growth. Ghana’s economy expanded for the third successive quarter in March 2017 to 6.6%, up from 4.4% the previous year. The industry sector recorded the highest growth – 11.5% compared to 1.8% in 2016 – with significant contributions from the mining and petroleum sectors. Ghana in August raked in $8.95 billion from cocoa, oil and gas, according to the Bank of Ghana. This represents a growth of 27.8% between August 2016 and the same period in 2017. In October, the latest Standard & Poor report on Ghana’s economy revised Ghana’s economic outlook from stable to positive. “We expect Ghana’s new administration to implement numerous measures that would help strengthen public finances from their current very weak level,” S&P said. Ghana was last given a B credit rating by Fitch, along with a stable outlook by Moody. Food and agriculture COCOA is an important agricultural commodity in the global economy. The 2014 – 15 season was forecast to top over 4.2 million tonnes with an approximate value of $12 billion produced worldwide. The demand for cocoa has risen three times faster than population growth over the last 15 years and industry forecasts predict a 20% growth over the next decade. Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire produce 60% of the world’s total volume of cocoa. Ghana is the world’s second largest producer of cocoa- the main ingredient for chocolate – and has great potential to add value to its raw cocoa exports. The cocoa industry therefore offers opportunities to increase export earnings through increased and finished products.
Ghanaian President Afuko Addo and Amerley Ollennu Awua-Asamoa, the Ghanian ambassador to Denmark
Less than 25% of Ghana’s cocoa beans are processed locally, allowing Ghana to capture only about 5% of the $28 billion of the global intermediate cocoa processing industry. Ghana’s cocoa commands a premium price because of its high quality compared to cocoa from other lands. This makes the cocoa sector one of the best sectors to invest in by adding value through increased investments and innovation. This was alluded to when the vice president of the World Bank, Makhtar Diop, called on President Akufo Addo in July this year: “The Bank is willing to also help Ghana to process its cocoa to make the country depart from being an exporter of cocoa beans, akin to the support given to Cote d’Ivoire, which had received a $120 million facility to boost value-addition for its cocoa industry.” In response, President Akufo Addo said: “We have instituted a program that we have dubbed ‘Planting for Food and Jobs’ to give farmers access to affordable inputs, extension services and improved irrigation infrastructure. We are also embarking on a private sector-led industrialisation program through a ‘One District, One Factory Initiative,’ and a $100 million stimulus package for the revival of distressed companies.”
KEY ENERGY OBJECTIVES • 150-300 MW of small and medium hydro • Two million solar lanterns • 30,000 solar home systems • 20-26 MW utility-scale biomass and waste energy capacity • 150-250 MW of utility-scale wind and 50-150 MW of utilityscale solar capacity.
Energy sector ON THE energy front, the supply constraints witnessed in the last couple of years are being addressed through the tackling of the financial challenges including the issuance of a $2.5 billion bond to offset the legacy debt of the energy sector to create space for increased investment. The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) is the sole distributor of power, and in a bid to revitalise the energy sector, government is encouraging private sector participation led by local companies with support from the Millennium Challenge Compact from the US government. Ghana is looking forward to diversifying its power resources, as its current reliance on hydropower makes it particularly vulnerable to droughts. Infastructure IN A 2010 REPORT, the World Bank estimated that Ghana’s infrastructure finance gap is estimated to run between $3.9 and 5.5 billion per year
through 2026. In other words, more than $40 billion in total will be needed but this will require significant private finance from Ghana’s long-term allies like Denmark. “Ghana is a land of opportunity for private capital. More importantly, Ghana is open for business and has taken it upon herself to build a business-friendly economy that will enable her get to the stage where the opportunities available here will help her build an optimistic, self-confident and prosperous nation, beyond aid,” said President Akufo Addo. Ghana has a solid tradition of investments in agriculture and agro-processing. The financial services and telecom sectors are fast gaining ground, providing dynamic and innovative services to the most diverse customers in the world. Further opportunities exist in manufacturing, ICT, and tourism. Mineral deposits including gold and diamond abound and, with the discovery of oil, Ghana’s famous black star has never shone brighter.
13 REASONS TO INVEST IN GHANA 1. Ghana has a stable political environment within the West African sub region. 2. Abundant, adaptable and easily trainable labour force. 3. A competitive daily minimum wage. 4. No restrictions on issuance of work and residence permits to free zone investors and employees. 5. Duty free access of manufactured exports to USA (AGOA) and European Union markets. 6. Excellent sea and air connections with Europe and USA. 7. Strategic and central location with West Africa providing access to a market of 250 million people. 8. An already existing industrial base 9. Availability of a stock exchange as well as other bank and nonbanking financial institutions. 10. A dynamic private sector wiling to collaborate with foreign partners. 11. A committed and progressive government to private sector participation. 12. A high degree of personal safety. 13. A truly hospitable people. Source: Embassy of Ghana
18 INOUT: EVENTS THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK
Nov 29-Dec 10, Tue-Sat 19:00, Sun 17:00 & 14:00 (Dec 10); House of International Theatre, 4th floor, Huset-KBH, Rådhusstræde 13, Cph K; 80-150kr, teaterbilletter.dk; houseofinternationaltheatre.dk EMMA BARNETT
DID YOU know that Sherlock Holmes is the most portrayed human literary character in history with 254 appearances? In fact, only God, Jesus, the Devil, Napoleon, Hitler, Lincoln and Dracula have been played more often. And now the Down the Rabbit Hole Theatre, along with its trusty German sidekick Manusarts, is making a bid for number 255 with Slapstick Sherlock, and it’s got all the ingredients needed for success. Humour and outlandishness like in Sherlock? Tick! A female
CPH LATIN FESTIVAL Nov 25, 20:00-02:30; Støberiet, Blågårds Plads 5, Cph N; 100kr, latinfestival.dk SHAKE your body and dress to impress like it’s the disco scene in Scarface. Risk a Cuban rumba with Tony’s sister and maybe you’ll end up in a salsa with his little friend.
Drug Scare Cinema Nov 18, 21:00, Huset’s Biograf; 75kr Masturbation made your penis fall off and drugs offered a oneway ticket to the funny farm. Join this celebration of 60 years of American drug-scare movies – a collection of footage from an era when fighting the commies in Vietnam sounded like a good career move. (BH)
MOMO & THE TIME THIEVES Nov 19 & 26, Dec 3 & 10, 15:00; Operaen, Cph K; 110-525kr, kglteater.dk WITH FIVE stars from Politiken and Berlingske, this new child-friendly, Danish-language opera by composer Svitlana Azarova comes recommended. Based on a novel by Michael Ende,
GAMING
Counter Strike final Nov 25, 13:30; Royal Arena; 230-530kr Six of the world’s top Counter Strike teams will be battling it out at the Blast Pro Series, which the Royal Arena promises will be in a “new and explosive format” – hopefully in a Keith Moon fashion. Unfortunately, the teams don’t actually kill each other. (BH)
it tells the story of a girl of mysterious origins named Momo who does not know how old she is. However, she is great at listening and uses her skills to help people solve problems. Politiken’s reviewer took four “YouTube-consuming” children aged five to 10 with him and they were all absorbed, later describing the performance as “exciting”, “beautiful” and, err, “violent”. (EB)
CONCERT
The War on Drugs Nov 26, 20:00; Tap 1; 450kr Founder Kurt Vile is long gone, but this Philadelphian indie rock band, who dabble in neopsychedlia and Americana, are still very much alive, unlike Pablo Escobar for example. Not to be confused with the US government’s smokescreen to sell arms, these guys are the real deal. (BH)
CARLOS DELGADO
FILM
THEATRE
JULIO ENRIQUEZ FLICKR
Bodies Beyond Borders Nov 17-18, 15:00-24:00 & 12:0002:00; Warehouse9, Halmtorvet 11A, Cph V; 50kr, warehouse9.dk Tania El Khoury with ‘As Far As My Fingertips Take Me’ is the headliner on this strong international line-up. At the title suggests, the curators were inspired by Brexit, and most of the performers have a British connection. (BH)
Cubakultur is once again inviting you to its studio for some full-on salsaton, bachata, reggaeton, Afro Cuban, rueda and more. There will be live music, dance shows and lessons from 20:00, and then the night will be rounded off by DJ Master Silot and Demis. If you want a headstart, don’t miss the dance workshops at Kapelvej 44 from 14:00-17:00. (EB) GAMEBANANA.COM
WILLIAM RAFTI
CONCERT
The Scorpions Nov 29, 20:00; Royal Arena; 400-500kr Get the lighters out and feel the wind of change, although that title has become more ironic over the years following their heyday, as the last thing they’ve ever done is change … unless that includes lightbulbs interfering with their crowd effect. (BH)
AWARD WINNING COMEDY
Educating Rita
by WILLY RUSSELL
AN UPLIFTING TALE OF SELF-DISCOVERY That Theatre Company – telling good stories passionately for 20 years
25 Oct – 25 Nov ‘17 Rita : Dawn Wall Frank : Ian Burns DIRECTOR Barry McKenna Tickets: teaterbilletter.dk 70 20 20 96 Photo: Simon Dixgaard
TANIA EL KHOURY
PERFORMANCE
Watson like in ‘Elementary’? Tick! Not so sure about the satire like in those Basil Rathbone propaganda films during WWII … Granted, this female Watson (hardworking Manusarts stalwart Jana Pulkrabek in long leather boots) hasn’t been to medical school, and it’s with some trepidation that Holmes (Siegmar Tonk) and the doctor (Gordon Torbet) agree to help her solve the mystery of how the blue carbuncle ended up in the Christmas goose. The Famous Five weren’t available apparently. But sure enough, this humorous triangle work through their powerstruggle-filled relationships in order to solve the mostly idiotic mystery and save Christmas. With the dependable Jeremy Thomas-Poulsen at the helm, and elements of classical theatre and satire, we’re confident this is the perfect festive giggle to get your December off to a flying start.
MANUSARTS
SLAPSTICK SHERLOCK
17 - 30 November 2017
www.that-theatre.com
19 The niche of nichts: the perils of making a Danish sci-fi FILM
17 - 30 November 2017
BEN HAMILTON
T
OO MUCH liberation can be a bad thing. Just ask the Danish film industry. If you thought the script for the Jesus porno – which the Danish Film Institute agreed to finance in 1973 before caving into public pressure – was bad, you should google Gayniggers from Outer Space, a 1992 Danish short film so cringe-worthy it’s rumoured its director Morten Lindberg changed his name to Master Fatman to distance himself. Yeah, that bloke! A crack force of gay black soldiers from the planet Anus – ArminAss, Captain Dick, D Ildo, Sergeant Shaved Balls and Schwul (ingeniously named after the German word for gay) – liberate the men of Earth from female oppression. Who said Denmark didn’t do sci-fi! Truly monstrous efforts WELL, they do, but mostly very badly. Take Thomas Vinterberg’s confused 2003 romantic drama It’s All About Love (32 on Metacritic), a film set in 2021 that made little sense to anyone involved in it. After Festen, the likes of Joaquin Pheonix and Sean Penn were queuing up to work with the Dane. But little did they know that it would take five years to reach the screen, during which time Vinterberg tried to palm it off to Ingmar Bergman to finish. And then there’s the 1962 movie Reptilicus in which a 90foot monster, found frozen in the Arctic Circle, wreaks havoc in Copenhagen. Its score of 3.6 on IMDB is well deserved, as at times it is little more than a shameless travelogue, as char-
acters tour the city exclaiming: “Look, the Little Mermaid, how lovely – it is a beautiful city.” Arguably the film’s best moment comes in the end credits when the narrator’s line “It’s a good thing that there’s no more like him” is swiftly followed by “Produced and Directed by Sidney Pink”. Room for optimism THAT’S not to say all Danish sci-fi films are bad. Cyberworld dystopia Skyggen (Webmaster, 1998) has its moments thanks to a creepy turn by Lars Bom, as does Manden der tænkte ting (The Man Who Thought Life), a 1969 Cannes Palme D’Or nominee with a plot that keeps viewers guessing. There’s Lars von Trier’s beautifully apocalyptic Melancholia (2011) of course. And most lauded of all, Himmelskibet (A Trip to Mars, 1918) is considered a pioneer of the space opera subgenre. So it’s difficult to know what to expect from Qeda (released on November 16; Not Released Worldwide), a time travel yarn set in 2095 in which Copenhagen has evolved into Venice. Not a bad trade-off, you might think – the Danes are the Italians of the north, after all – but gondoliers make a poor substitute for cargo bikes, prompting one scientist to send his clone, and then himself, back to 2017 to avert an impending ecological disaster. The Gore continues AL GORE’S on the same page in An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth To Power (Nov 16; 68 on Metacritic), but he doesn’t need time travel to end up in 2017, although he’d prob-
ably appreciate a chance to revisit November 2000 when a certain state used all its available sunshine to bring the sun down on his whole campaign. It’s been eleven years since his environmentalism was showcased in the thought-provoking An Inconvenient Truth (produced by Larry David’s former wife Laurie no less), a film that provoked one of cinematic history’s greatest ever two-word reviews. Rivalling “Shit sandwich” from This is Spinal Tap, the then-US president George W Bush said “Doubt it”, to which Gore said he was alarmed Bush could express “personal doubt that [climate change] is true”. However, it later transpired that W was expressing the likelihood of whether he would ever see it. Perhaps more worrying is that a survey conducted in 47 mainly Western countries revealed that the documentary had changed the minds of 66 percent of those who had seen the film – suggesting when you take the naysayers into account that only a minority believed in climate change before watching it. This was in 2007! No wonder we’re in such a mess.
work, more a mash-up, claims Empire magazine, between PG Wodehouse and Agatha Christie called ‘Peter’s Friends Go Mad At Brideshead’. Faring only marginally better is genuine Christie adaptation Murder on the Orient Express (Nov 23; 54) starring Kenneth Branagh as Hercule Poirot – a film whose tone more brings to mind the ITV series of Marple, than David Suchet’s Poirot (which took on the tale in 2010). Like with the 1974 version, it has a starstudded cast, but even Agatha would have trouble concocting a scenario in which it matches that film’s inexplicable six Oscar nominations.
Misty like Christie EQUALLY haphazard is Stephen Fry’s The Hippopotamus (Nov 23; 46), which should have remained a honorary member of the Don Quixote club of unfilmable books. Despite the casting of the likeable Roger Allam (even more cantankerous than Peter Capaldi, his co-star in The Thick of It) in the main role, it never really feels like it is a complete
Squirming in your seat ELSEWHERE, Justice League (Nov 16; NRW) is ‘The Avengers’ but for DC Comics not Marvel. Yawn! Wonder Woman, Batman, a cyborg, a werewolf and an Ironman impersonator take on implausibly big globules of gristle to save the world, without the tiniest element of anything satirical going on. The release of Daddy’s Home 2 (Nov 23; NRW) sug-
“The soldiers are black and proud. So what shall we call the film?”
gests the public liked the 2015 original more than the critics. Adopted and bio dads Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg invite their respective fathers, John Lithgow and Mel Gibson, to spend Christmas with them – like with Bad Moms 2, presumably the festification of this turd was the only way to eke out further mileage. Peaking after his career-defining turn as Winston Churchill in The Crown, Lithgow had his pick of any film in Hollywood. He chose this. Perhaps Lithgow could learn something about steady career trajectories from Dominic West (The Affair) who lends the mostly Swedish production of The Square (Nov 23; 71), the 2017 Palme D’Or winner, some international clout. Directed by Ruben Östlund (Force Majeure) and set in the world of contemporary art, the ideals on display in the gallery are a poor match for the narcissism of the curator (Danish actor Claes Bang), and the result is an uproarious comedy that will make you squirm in your seat. Probably not as much as Gayniggers from Outer Space, but it comes a close second.
THE RED TURTLE FILM Of THE MONTH
November 17th-28th experience the poetic mute tale of a shipwrecked man whose attempts to escape a deserted island are challenged by a red turtle. A Studio Ghibli co-production. We present some 50 films with English dialogue or subtitles every month. See what’s on at cinemateket.dk or visit us in Gothersgade 55
VIVIENNE MCKEE PRESENTS
NOV 14TH 2017 - JAN 6TH 2018
TICKETS: 3315 1012 / TEATERBILLETTER.DK / BILLETLUGEN.DK LTT.The Copenhagen Post.212x288.021017.indd 1
LONDONTOAST.DK 02/10/17 11.47