The Copenhagen Post, May 06-12 by The Copenhagen Post

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Where did that sunshine come from! May Day in Fælledparken was a scorcher as the politicos left their winter coats at home to party in the sun

An Italian pizza man got a thank you note from the queen after he gave her one for her birthday. We’re presuming it was a Margherita!

JAKOB BOSERUP

DANISH NEWS IN ENGLISH VOL 19 ISSUE 17

CPHPOST.DK 6 - 12 May 2016

EUR OVIS ION NO CON TEST ? NEWS As the capital doubles its refugee intake, it’s never been easier to help out 2 NEWS

Chilly no longer EU’s Arctic polices are in perfect alignment with Denmark’s

4-5 Government wants two-year border control extension

NEWS Foreign policy needs to be more strategic, recommends report 6 NEWS

Spoiler alert for ‘Vikings’! Not only did the Norsemen reach America, they conquered Cornwall!

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Denmark requests permission from the EU along with Germany, Sweden, France and Austria

UST HOURS after Denmark extended its temporary controls along the German border for the sixth time – this time until June 2 – it confirmed it had co-signed a letter sent to the EU Commission arguing that the controls should remain in place for up to two years. Inger Støjberg, the immigration and integration minister, informed media on Monday that she and her counterparts from Germany, Sweden, France and Austria had written the letter together.

Hole in Europe “THERE is a hole in Europe that thousands of refugees and migrants are flowing through, and we have lost confidence in the initiatives that the EU has put in place to secure the external borders,” she explained. “I am glad there are countries other than Denmark who can see this. I hope that the commission will take our letter seriously.” Up to the member states THE EU Commission must now ask the EU Council of Ministers – the 28 member states – to decide whether the border checks can be extended. A qualified majority of member states must then vote to adopt the measure.

Fewer applications ACCORDING to police records, Denmark received 45 asylum applications last week – its lowest number since the introduction of the DanishGerman border controls on January 4. There was only one Syrian applicant, along with two Iraqis, ten Afghans and 32 people from other countries – taking the grand total up to 3,224 applications since the border controls began. The number of applications has consistently declined since 641 people sought refuge in the first week after the border controls were introduced. In total, the government expects up to 25,000 applications this year. (RW/SR)

Terrorists on show AN EXHIBITION about martyrdom, due to open this month in Copenhagen, has been reported to police for encouraging terrorism. It features terrorists involved in the Brussels and Paris attacks alongside figures considered martyrs like Joan of Arc. It will be displayed at Teateret Sort/Hvid in Kødbyen, the same group that put on the play about the mass-murderer Breivik.

Sunny weekend in store ALTHOUGH Friday isn’t officially a holiday, many Danes will be taking it off to enjoy a four-day mini vacation. Blue skies and sunshine are forecast for the Ascension bank holiday on Thursday, after which temperatures are set to soar above 20 C – the warmest yet this year. Sunday and Monday will be a little cooler as winds pick up a bit, but it should remain sunny.

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THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

6 - 12 May 2016

Helping refugees with volunteers and careers

ONLINE THIS WEEK Roads fixed faster

Longer in turquoise THE CAPITAL’S busiest line, the 5A, is changing its name to the 5C and its colour to turquoise in April 2017. The new vehicles will be 18 metres long – five metres longer than the current yellow and red buses. The new buses will be CO2neutral, feature multiple doors similar to those found on trains, run around the clock and travel to Herlev Hospital.

Tivoli ride finally opens

Knife crimes increase ACTS OF violence involving a knife increased from 56 in 2010 to 149 in 2015 in Copenhagen. However, stabbings have decreased in the city centre thanks to a campaign that involves more police on the streets at night. A new law will increase penalties for repeat offenders found with a knife in public from July 1.

helping kids in Valby with their homework to teaching refugee women to cycle.”

ITY HALL continues to set the standards with its welcome package for refugees assigned to live in its municipality following its decision in March to spend 44 million kroner on prioritising jobs, education and integration. A website launched on Monday, flygtninge.kk.dk, helps volunteers to see where and how they can lend a helping hand, as well as assisting companies who want to employ refugees on traineeships. “There are plenty of options for those who want to make a difference,” declares the homepage. “It can be anything from

From day one “BEFORE, they didn’t integrate from day one,” Anna Mee Allerslev, the city’s deputy mayor for employment and integration, told DR. “They didn’t set aside enough resources and made ghetto areas instead of distributing them well across the city. But we’ve agreed on enough resources and to spread the new refugees all over town so that we can foster integration from the get-go.” On Sunday, the first 11 of the city’s total 2016 intake of 335 refugees arrived, and City Hall – working in close co-operation

with the NGO Venligboerne – has confirmed that it will take

671 in 2017, which will be twice as many as this year. (CW)

Stellar digs round the corner from Bella Plans confirmed for new city district in Ørestad LUCIE RYCHLA

LANS HAVE been confirmed for a new city district in Ørestad with 2,000 apartments that will cater to families with children and international guests attending events and conferences at the nearby Bella Center. The sustainable Bellakvarter (the Bella district) will include semi-detached houses, public housing, New York-style lofts, offices, institutions and stores, and it will provide jobs to about 7,000 people.

Award-winning designers BELLAKVARTER is a joint venture of Bella Center Copenhagen, AC Hotel Bella Sky Copenhagen and Crowne Plaza

Is Amager Fælled aspiring to become Central Park?

Copenhagen Towers, which plan to invest 6-7 billion kroner. The district has been designed

by the award-winning Danish architect firms COBE and Vilhem Lauritzen Architects, which

took inspiration from the capital’s central neighbourhoods.

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A lot of the volunteers could end up teaching

BELLAKVARTER

FATAMORGANA, the new 3-in-1 ride at Tivoli, finally opened to the public on Tuesday, five days later than scheduled. Tivoli noted it would have been “irresponsible” to last week open the 45-metre, 50 million kroner tower, which includes an air ride that propels its passengers around at up to 2.5 Gs, as it was not ready.

City Hall doubles 2017 intake as it continues to set a high standard

ISTOCK

AHEAD of the introduction of fines for companies who don’t finish roadworks as scheduled, the resulting time lost in traffic fell by 14 percent between 2014 and 2015, according to Copenhagen Municipality. The Transport Ministry’s new fine system will be enforced on July 1. Around 10,000 holes are dug in the city’s roads every year.

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NEWS

6 - 12 May 2016

EU’s Arctic policy applauded

ISTOCK

Panoramic pearl: it might be a wilderness, but it’s importance to humanity is paramount

Foreign minister happy to note that union’s chief aims are aligned with Denmark’s objectives CHRISTIAN WENANDE

HE FOREIGN minister, Kristian Jensen, has commended the European Union for adopting a new integrated policy for the Arctic region. The policy will aim to protect and preserve the Arctic in cooperation with the people who live there, as well as promote the sustainable use of resources

and international co-operation. Jensen noted it was aligned with Denmark’s objectives. Happy to assist “THE POLICY also focuses on another Danish key issue: the use of telecommunications and satellites, which are essential for safe maritime and air transport, research and better internet in the small Arctic coastal societies,” he added. “Naturally, we will happily assist the EU Commission with transferring its policies into specific actions, projects and investments in the Arctic area.”

A region of signficance THE ARCTIC region consists of the Central Arctic Ocean, its regional seas – the Barents, Chara and Chucchi – and the territories of the Commonwealth of Denmark, Canada, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the US. “We impact on the Arctic and the Arctic impacts on us,” said Karmenu Vella, the EU commissioner for the environment, fisheries and maritime affairs. “Global weather patterns, our oceans, ecosystems and local biodiversity – the Arctic influences them all.”

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Islands finally approve

In favour of staying

LAGTINGET, the Faroese parliament, last week voted 19 to 14 to legalise same-sex marriages. The approval was made possible after a clause was added that gives the Faroese Protestant church the right to not perform a church wedding should it choose to. The law is expected to be introduced in December. Denmark has permitted samesex marriages since June 2012.

ACCORDING to a survey by British expat network Angloinfo, the vast majority of Brits living in EU countries will be voting to stay in the union in the forthcoming Brexit referendum on June 23. Some 73 percent of British expats supported the ‘Stay’ campaign. Just 20 percent were in favour of leaving and 7 percent were unsure. Around 5.5 million British citizens live abroad.

Fewer Greenland murders A DANISH study reveals that Greenland’s murder rate fell from 23 per 100,000 inhabitants to 16 between 1985 and 2010. The majority were committed by alcohol or drug addicts. Some 58 of the 129 victims were women, a larger percentage than other countries with high murder rates, where men connected to organised crime make up the majority. In comparison, Denmark’s murder rate is one per 100,000.

Burkina Faso visit THE FOREIGN minister, Kristian Jensen, and Crown Princess Mary have this past week visited the west African country Burkina Faso on a trip focusing on Denmark’s development and aid efforts in the nation, as well as gender inequality, health and other human rights issues. The trip was originally scheduled for January, but a terror attack in the capital Ouagadougou postponed the plans.

COVER

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

6 - 12 May 2016

From laughing stock to top of the pops JAKOB BOSERUP

THE DISGRACE OF 1963

THE OUTCRY OF 2015 • Danish entry Anti Social Media crashed out in the semifinals last year – the country’s first failure to reach the final since 2007 – and it’s safe to say the Danish Melodi Grand Prix were not amused. • According to its chairman Johann Sorensen, it was the result of the eastern European “Eurovision mafia”. • “Denmark’s semi-final had a prevalence of eastern European countries,” Sorensen told DR.

Did every single one of Ireland’s seven winners have an unfair advantage?

How the Nordics have come to dominate the Eurovision Song Contest DOUWE REVELER

HEAD OF next week’s Eurovsion Song Contest in Stockholm, it’s worth remembering that it wasn’t long ago that the Nordics were the laughing stock of the continent. ‘Norway, nul point’ was the reoccurring joke – based on them finishing last in the contest a staggering 11 times, and on four occasions failing to score a single point. As the penultimate decade of the 20th century was drawing to a close, Finland and Iceland had never won it, and Denmark and Norway only once. New century turnaround FAST-FORWARD to today and the Nordic countries reign supreme. If you include the Baltics, they have won nine of the last 17 editions, including three of the

last four! Norway and Denmark now have three wins; Finland, Latvia and Estonia have joined the party; and Sweden is now only one behind the all-time record holder Ireland with six wins, while Norway holds the record for the highest points tally (Alexander Rybak, 387 in 2009). One obvious reason for all of this might be the language restrictions in place between 1966 and 1972, and 1977 and 1998, which required every nation to sing a song in one of their official languages. Historically, English has proven to be an easy language to write lyrics in – compared to Danish for example – and in the 29 contests that took place between the aforementioned years, at least one English-language song (Ireland or the UK) finished in the top two on 19 occasions. So who would bet against another winner from the region – after all, on the last two occasions the contest has been held

in Sweden (2000 and 2013), Denmark has emerged victorious. Well, possibly the bookies, who make Russia and France the frontrunners heading into the semi-finals on May 10 and 12 – with Sweden the most likely Nordic winner of the final on May 14 at 16/1. Financially vexing IN RECENT years another theory has emerged to explain the Nordic dominance: the possibility that many countries don’t want to win due to the excessive hosting costs during the financial crisis. It’s certainly true that fewer countries have been entering – due to the broadcasting costs, most explain. After steadily rising following the break-up of the Soviet Union and Balkans to 43 participants in 2008, only 37 entered in 2013 – and, perhaps significantly, not a single ex-Yugoslav nation made it to the final.

• “I have a strong feeling that the main reason for Denmark’s Eurovision exit is that there was a dominance of eastern European countries in the first semi-final. Other voices become skewed, and it is perhaps a little unfair.” • Sorensen argued that what Denmark really needed was some partisan voting of its own. • “We were already behind on points from the start because we weren’t performing in the same semi-final as our Nordic neighbours, which traditionally gives us higher marks.” However, this year’s competition will seek the likes of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), Bulgaria, Croatia and Ukraine rejoining the party as 42 countries pick up the mic. Certainly, hosting the song contest has its perks. While the likes of Denmark have demonstrated how it can be held at a crippling loss, it is undoubtedly an excellent chance to showcase the home country’s trade and tourist attractions. Helsinki in

• Ahead of the 1963 contest, the Danish hopes of a victory were high. Its entry, ‘Dansevise’ by virtuoso guitarist Jørgen Ingmann and his wife Grethe, is a pleasant enough jazz waltz ditty, but in the end it needed a helping hand from a neighbour to win. • Voting fifth out of 16, the Norwegians failed to follow the correct procedure for giving its results, prompting presenter Katie Boyle to admonish them. • “Well, hold on Norway … I’m afraid I shall have to ask you to give those votes all over again … because, first you have to give the number on the board, then the name and number of the country. I don’t think we did quite do that,” she told them. • The panicking jury asked Boyle to return to them later, but had audibly given three points to Switzerland and two to Denmark. • Fast-forward to the end of the show and Switzerland were now two points ahead of Denmark with just Norway left to vote. Surely it was in the bag for the Swiss. • Well, no. Shady Norway this time gave their chums four points and Switzerland just one – and the victorious Danes brought home the bacon. 2007 was one such example of a host that was considered a success. Votes between friends IT IS UNDENIABLE that there has been an undoubted decline in partisan voting in certain regions of Europe since the onset of the financial crisis. According to research carried out by the Copenhagen Post Weekly, the Balkan quartet of Croatia, B&H, Serbia and Slovenia

COVER

6 - 12 May 2016

INTERVIEW: With history on their side, will their battle hymn conquer Europe? Lighthouse X hope their entry will inspire the continent to want to make the world a better place DOUWE REVELER

ENMARK’S representatives at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest are Lighthouse X. Band members Søren Bregendal, Martin Skriver and Johannes Nymark explain that their song ‘Soldiers of Love’ is a battle hymn in their fight to make the world a better place through the power of music. They won 42 percent of the public vote to win and are now bidding to become the third Danish act in a row to win Eurovision on Swedish soil, following the triumphs of the Ølsen Brothers in 2000 in Stockholm and Emmelie de Forest in 2013 in Malmö. We caught up with them to ask about their chances of winning, and what it will be like competing in Sweden.

YOU’VE DESCRIBED YOUR SONG AS A BATTLE HYMN – IT OBVIOUSLY MEANS A LOT TO YOU?

SO BEING AN INSPIRATION IS IMPORTANT TO YOU – AS MUCH AS WINNING?

We talked about that on the night of the Danish competition. We were like let’s just do what we just did at the rehearsal – it might not be perfect but who cares? We just need to do what we do best and what we love doing, and it’s exactly that point that reflects our ‘Soldiers of Love’ philosophy. It’s not about perfection, it’s more about doing your best and that’s not always perfect. It never is. Being human is not about being perfect, so we need to portray that as well when we talk to journalists or stand on a stage so people can maybe find inspiration in that.

SWEDEN IS A SUCCESSFUL HUNTING GROUND FOR DENMARK. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO TO ENSURE THAT THIS TRADITION CONTINUES?

That is a heavy question! What we have been talking about every day since we started this whole Eurovision and Dansk Melodi Grand Prix quest is not thinking too much about just that – because we entered this competition with a different mindset. We were asked to be in the competition and we wanted to use it as a platform to talk about stuff that really means some-

thing to us and make it mean something to other people around us, so I think we agreed on doing our best no matter what. Every day just do our best and not try to be perfect.

SWEDEN IS EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL AND THEY NOW HAVE SIX VICTORIES. WHAT IS IT ABOUT YOUR NEIGHBOUR THAT MAKES THEM SO SUCCESSFUL IN THIS COMPETITION?

They are just hitmakers. You see that all the time. They are just great at making pop music. The tradition that started with ABBA back then has inspired and brought up so many talented songwriters in Sweden and they respect pop music.

HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM DENMARK?

In Denmark we only sometimes talk about pop being credible, whilst in Sweden the most credible thing you can

be is to be a pop artist and that builds some kind of foundation from where talented songwriters and producers can grow. If people in Sweden strive to be great pop songwriters, of course that will make a lot of people try and do that and do their very best. I’m not saying that in Denmark it is the other way round, but we don’t have the same attitude like in Sweden where they have so many shows to select their song.

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM SWEDEN?

I have been working with quite a few Swedish songwriters in my career and there is a very distinct difference between them and the Danes. They tend to open the doors for each other. They cowork in a different way to the way we do here in Denmark and that is a really important point in terms of Lighthouse X as well. Coming together really strengthens your product.

awarded each other 97 percent of their 10 and 12-point scores between 2004 and 2006 – a figure that fell to below 70 percent between 2009 and 2012. The Nordics also indulge in neighbourly voting (see ‘The Disgrace of 1963’) – between 2005 and 2009, they awarded each other between 60 and 70 percent of their top votes every single year – but there has been no noticeable drop-off since the start of the financial crisis.

MADS TEGLERS

It is the quintessential Lighthouse X song. No other song captures our message of love and hope and our vision of a better world as strongly as this one. So it’s a very important song to us, and when we perform it live, it feels truly empowering. We want to inspire everyone to be soldiers of love, and this is our battle hymn. Sweden’s creativity LEADING the way in the Nordics are this year’s hosts, the six-time winners Sweden. And according to last year’s champ Måns Zelmerlöw, the success is no fluke. In an interview last year with Dutch television, he attributed his country’s dominance to the creativity generated on its long, dark winters. It’s a view also echoed by two of this year’s contestants, Greta

Salomé from Iceland and ZOË from Austria, who as well as the creativity cited the lasting legacy of ABBA, the ultimate Eurovision band and winner. Launched last year, the new ABBA museum is expected to be Stockholm’s most visited attraction during Eurovision week. So much invested SWEDEN’S winter/spring music industry revolves around the process of selecting a song: from

the finalisation of the line-up for its Melodifestivalen in November, through the preliminary heats in February and March to the final in March and then the song contest in May, the record labels, tabloids and fan websites go into overdrive to get the necessary signings, stories and saturation that the public demands. Sweden’s success can also be measured in the demand for its songwriters – which along with

the home-grown success have enjoyed a few wins with other countries as well – most recently with Azerbaijan in 2011. Even the Danes have entered a Swedish-written entry (2010), while this year’s Norwegian entry is co-written by a Swede. Crikey! If you include the Azeri win, the Scandinavians have triumphed in four of the last five. It makes you wonder if the rest of Europe should even bother turning up.

NEWS

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

ONLINE THIS WEEK SINCE the introduction of the strict border controls across the Danish-Swedish border on January 4, at least 46 people had attempted to travel to Sweden via the Øresund Tunnel on foot up until April 13, reports the Danish Ministry of Justice. Warning signs have been put up and alert systems implemented to slow down road and rail traffic should anyone enter the tunnel.

Better health at home A NEW STUDY by the municipality organisation LO has found that patients in nursing homes fall ill more often than elderly people living at home. Some 42.2 percent are hospitalised at least once a year compared to 28.7 percent of those living in their own houses. Experts were unsurprised as nursing home residents tend to have more complex health problems.

Wefood eyes new stores THE WEFOOD supermarket in Amager, which sells products past their sell-by date that would have otherwise been discarded, has been so successful that there are plans to open one in Aarhus in 2017 and another one in Copenhagen. Its owner, Folkekirkens Nødhjælp, gives its profits to charity, which so far have amounted to 200,000 kroner.

Helping the vulnerable THE AP Møller Support Fund will over the next four to six years donate 750 million kroner to helping vulnerable citizens in Denmark. “Denmark has a strong welfare system,” fund cheif executive Henrik Tvarnø told Altinget. “But we feel a need for long-term investments so the state, civil society and business can work even more closely.”

Another school evacuated GAMMEL Hasseris School in Aalborg was cordoned off on April 27 while police investigated a bomb threat at the north Jutland school. Police evacuated the children and then searched the school with dogs, as investigators tried to determine who wrote a threatening note. The children were then picked up by their parents from a different location.

Don’t spread the butter too thinly! Denmark’s future foreign and defence policies should be more grounded in what is best for the country, argues report

HASSE FERROLD

Tunnel traversing

6 - 12 May 2016

The main focus HE ARGUES that Denmark must maintain and further improve relations with its closest

Anti-Islam death threats No buttering up from Peter Taksøe-Jensen

European allies – Germany, the UK and France – and continue building strategic partnerships with the Nordic and Baltic countries and the Netherlands. Furthermore, Denmark should strengthen its voice in NATO and the EU and leverage its close relationship with the US, and it must use its position as an Arctic superpower to influence developments in the region. Finally, Denmark should focus on creating new partnerships and leveraging existing ones in Asia to promote Danish commercial interests and global agendas.

Reduced budgets “WE ARE facing a situation with an increasing number of tasks and a deteriorating security, but we have fewer resources to conduct foreign, defence and security policies,” said TaksøeJensen. “To be completely honest, we risk spreading the butter too thinly if we are not careful.” Over the past 15 years, the Foreign Ministry’s budget has been reduced by a third and some 2.7 billion kroner has been cut off the defence budget, while the foreign aid budget has been reduced to 0.7 percent of the GNP.

IS threat to national security Attacks could take place without prior intelligencebased indications, warns PET

Attacked by patients MENTAL healthcare workers at live-in facilities in Denmark were attacked by patients twice as often in 2013 compared to 2005 – a trend that Karen Ellemann, the social and interior minister, is anxious to stop. “Violence should never be commonplace, and residential facilities must be safe and secure for both residents and employees,” she said.

LUCIE RYCHLA

ETER TAKSØE-JENSEN, the Danish ambassador to India, on Monday presented his proposal for Denmark’s future foreign and security policies – a report that is expected to heavily influence negotiations regarding the Defence Ministry’s budget beyond 2017 and the country’s new foreign policy. The main point of ‘Danish diplomacy and defence in the times of change – the way forward for Denmark’s interests and values for 2030’ is that foreign and security policy must be grounded in Denmark’s strategic interests. Taksøe-Jensen believes Denmark should give up the illusion it can help all the countries in the world and instead focus on regions where the country has the most at stake: the EU, the North Atlantic and Asia.

ONLINE THIS WEEK

Hacktivists break away THE DANISH branch of the hacktivist collective Anonymous has decided to split from its parent group AnonHQ. Anonymous DK explained that AnonHQ’s support for Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders was “miles away from what Anons around the world expect”, and that it has concerns about it earning over 1,000 US dollars a day from adverts.

PET head under pressure

Threat from within CTA ESTIMATES that support

for IS among people in Islamist environments in Denmark has grown, and it is these individuals in particular who pose a terror threat. “IS propaganda has an influential effect on persons in Denmark to commit terrorism or to travel to Syria/Iraq to join IS,” it warned. “Terrorist attacks can take place without prior intelligencebased indications.”

Tailgaters targeted

Uber drivers exposed

Malfunctions all round

Abuse shifts online

A NEW TRAFFIC enforcement begun by the police on Monday is targeting tailgating motorists. The police want to remind drivers that driving too close to the driver in front of you is against the law and could warrant a fine or even the loss of a licence. The traffic effort, which is also targeting speeding, will continue until Sunday.

THERE are concerns that a Facebook page set up by disgruntled taxi drivers called ‘UBER FAKTA Danmark’, which includes information about Uber drivers operating in Denmark, could be illegal. In some cases, the page features photos of drivers’ licence plate numbers, names, addresses, phone numbers and creditor information.

IN WHAT was a bad week for the trains, electronic malfunctions continued across the nation on Friday. The 112 emergency number stopped working for mobile phones in Zealand and Funen, and was only accessible by landline. And Udlændingestyrelsen, the immigration services, were unable to process or issue visa applications due to a faulty IT system.

FEWER Danes are seeking help at crisis centres for battered women, according to Merete Ipsen, the head of the Women’s Museum in Aarhus. “It is no longer something women are shy talking about,” she told DR. Most of the women tend to be from a non-Danish ethnic background, while men are increasingly abusing women by phone and social media instead.

CHRISTIAN WENANDE

N A REPORT compiled by its Centre for Terror Analysis (CTA), the intelligence agency PET warns that a terror attack by Islamic State is the greatest threat to national security at the moment, although the

risk to the individual remains small. The attacks in Paris in 2015 and in Brussels in march, it contends, are examples of IS's capability to organise complex attacks in western Europe, and it will only get worse as the pressure from the US-led coalition in Syria and Iraq increases.

TWO VOLUNTEERS at an asylum centre in Thisted in northern Jutland have received death threats over Facebook after pictures of them taking down anti-Islam signs were shared on the right-wing Facebook page ‘Yes to Freedom, no to Islam’. Commenters called them lemurs and crossbreeds, suggesting they should be shaved bald or beheaded.

PET HEAD Flemming Drejer has been reported for racism and a breach of procedural law by a group of anonymous officers from North Zealand Police, of which Drejer was formerly the chief superintendent. The complaint relates to an internal email in 2011 telling officers to arrest eastern European “swindlers” from Romania, Hungary and Bulgaria on sight.

NEWS

6 - 12 May 2016

Vikings in the West Country New evidence suggests the Norsemen were regular visitors to Devon, Cornwall and Somerset

ONLINE THIS WEEK

has found evidence of the Vikings’ presence – as aggressors and also allies against Wessex – in clothing, coins, tools, art motifs on sculptures as well as family and place names.

HE NORSEMEN conquered much larger territories in England than previously thought, according to a report by Videnskab that is a massive spoiler for fans of the popular TV series ‘Vikings’. New sculptural, archaeological and linguistic evidence suggests they looted as far south as Devon, Somerset and Cornwall in the west of the country – in what was the region of Dumnonia until it was conquered by Wessex in the early 9th century. A wealth of evidence IT WAS previously believed that Wessex had remained mostly independent during the Viking Age, and researchers had therefore never conducted any detailed examination of the Scandinavian influence in southwest England – until now. But Derek Gore, an archaeologist at the University of Exeter,

Serious Siemens claims

ISTOCK

Massive flint axes IN RELATED news, a pair of old friends have found the largest flint axes in Danish history in a drained bog area near Tastum Lake just south of Skive in Jutland. One of the heads measures 50.5 cm. Archaeologists at nearby Viborg Museum theorise that the axes were placed in the bog as part of a ritual sacrifice sometime during the early Stone Age around 3800-3500 BC. (LR/ CW)

Better connectivity

CLOSED to bathers since 1964 after being polluted by the chemical production plant Grindstedværket, a beach just north of Esbjerg has taken another step towards lifting its swimming ban. However, it is still ten years and 100 million kroner short of its target.

OVER 25,000 households and businesses in remote areas in Denmark can now apply for funding to improve their internet connections thanks to a cross-party agreement to allocate 200 million kroner. The fund will be in operation for two years.

Tackling plastics

Inventor nomination

THE NORDIC environmental ministers will form a united front on tackling plastic and microplastics in the oceans at the upcoming UN climate summit UNEA-2 in Nairobi, Kenya from May 23-27.

A TEAM of Danish researchers have been nominated for the prestigious 2016 European Inventor Award for an ammonia storage solution that can be used to reduce mono-nitrogen oxide emissions from diesel exhaust by 99 percent.

Turbine exchange

FOLLOWING years of negotiations, the UN’s International Maritime Organisation has ratified new legislation that bans cruise ships from dumping sewage into the Baltic Sea. The ban will come into effect for new cruise ships from 2019 and for older ships starting from 2021.

Brain’s sleep switch

FULL STORIES AT CPHPOST.DK

Beach could reopen

Sewage ban

A life of porpoise

IN THREE years’ time, every second wind turbine in Region Zealand will have reached the end of its 20-year working life, and new, larger ones will be built in their place. Zealand wants to increase its renewable energy production from 26 percent of the total to 40 percent by 2020.

Oregano curbs cow burps

Opposed to HPV vaccine

ISTOCK

When it’s 64, it’s serious

Eigil made them blubber

Wake up insomniacs!

Banishing the belching

No thanks!

SOME 64 workers at Siemens Wind Power in Denmark have developed chronic illnesses after prolonged exposure to dangerous chemicals over the last decade, reports 21 Søndag. The DR series has access to reports from the National Board of Industrial Injuries that detail 64 compensation cases brought by employees against the company, which conclude the illnesses, including asthma and eczema, are a direct result of exposure to the toxic chemicals epoxy and isocyanates. The chemicals are known allergens, and they are on the EU’s list of carcinogenic substances. (SR)

A RESEARCH and experience centre in Funen is in mourning following the death of one of its most popular long-term residents and research enablers: the porpoise Eigil. Since arriving at Fjord & Bælt in Kerteminde in 1997, Eigil had become one of the most studied whales in the world, helping the centre’s researchers to understand how porpoises use their senses. Eigil was believed to be around 20 at the time of his death, a very old age for porpoises, which generally live to be about 10-14 in the wild. The research will now continue with the centre’s other porpoises, Sif and Freja. (CW)

A DANE is part of an international team that might have discovered the brain’s sleep switch, which could have a major impact on the future treatment of depression. Maiken Nedergaard, a professor at the Center for Basic and Translational Neuroscience at the University of Copenhagen, has helped discover how the salt balance in the extracellular space in the brain is critical, along with the role that neuromodulators – messengers that impact on neuron groups and keeps humans awake during the day – play during sleep and how noradrenaline, dopamine and serotonin wake us up. (CW)

A 6 MILLION kroner research project at Aarhus University is using oregano in feed to reduce the production of methane in the guts of organically-raised cows to the benefit of the climate. The project, undertaken in collaboration with Økologisk Landsforening and a number of organic food producers, believes the essential oils of the oregano could stem the growth of the micro-organisms that produce methane, cut emissions by 25 percent and improve the quality of the milk. Cow burps account for 40 percent of the agriculture sector’s emission of greenhouse gases. (CW)

YOUNG women from Copenhagen and northern Zealand are declining to take the HPV vaccine that is supposed to protect them from cervical cancer, but has been associated with worrying side-effects – especially among the physically-active. According to Sundhedsstyrelsen, only 44 percent of girls born in 2002 allowed themselves to be vaccinated last year. Girls in western and northern Jutland were the most likely to be vaccinated, while those living in Copenhagen and north Zealand were the most likely to decline. Cancer society Kræftens Bekæmpelse said it was surprised. (RW)

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NEWS

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

ONLINE THIS WEEK Kev’s in the points KEVIN Magnussen picked up his first points of the 2016 Formula One season on Sunday, finishing seventh in his Renault at the Russian Grand Prix, after qualifying in 17th. He stands 12th in the standings with six points. Teammate Jolyon Palmer, who finished 13th, has yet to score.

Three winning keepers KASPER Schmeichel is an English Premier League champion, becoming only the third Dane to pick up a medal following his father Peter and Anders Lindegaard. Christian Ericksen’s Tottenham could only draw 2-2 with Chelsea on Monday, handing the Foxes the title.

In memory of Prince VEGA AND event promoter Golden Days held a free concert last week on Tuesday to mark the sudden death of Prince. It included songs and remembrances by Danish music stars such as Nikolaj Koppel.

Power up this weekend

OME 1,400 PEOPLE will be lacing up their running and cycling shoes this weekend for the ETU European Championship Powerman Denmark race in Copenhagen. And there is still time to sign up. Contestants will take part in the classic edition of the race (10 km run, 60 km bike, 10 km run) on Saturday, or the

FOOTBALL: DANSK CUP (M) THU MAY 5, 17:00 AGF VS FCK PARKEN

short or relay course (5 km run/20 km bike /5 km run) on Sunday. Kids can also take part in the PowerKids run on Sunday. Well oiled ACCORDING to the race organisers there are over 5,000 bananas, 14,000 litres of energy drinks, and more than 9,000

FIELD HOCKEY (M) SUN MAY 8, 11:00 ODIN ODENSE VS ORIENT CPH SOLKÆRVEJ, ODENSE

stickers packed and ready for the athletes taking part. If you’re more of an armchair sportsman who finds their moving parts are best oiled with a cold beer, there’s no reason not to come down to Islands Brygge to cheer on. The weather, 20 degrees and sunny, will certainly be accommodating.

HANDBALL: PLAYOFFS (M) SUN MAY 8, 17:00 KIF KOLDING/KBH VS AALBORG H TREFOR ARENA, BRØNDBY

POSTCALENDERS.DK

Je t’adore Frankrig

Parkour’s big leap

Klump no chump

ACTOR Mads Mikkelsen and director Thomas Vinterberg have been honoured with France’s top civilian award, Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. They picked up the award at the French Embassy last week. Mikkelsen spoke of his “love story” with France.

THE STREET-TRAINING discipline parkour has really taken off in Denmark. Between 2007 and 2015, some 126 new parkour courses were built across Denmark, according to the Centre for Sports, Health and Civil Society at the University of Southern Denmark.

PRIOR to its actual release, a new animated TV series about bear cub Rasmus Klump has won Best Animation Series at IFTS 2016 in Stuttgart, one of the world’s most prestigious animation festivals. Klump started life in a comic strip in Berlingske Aftenavis in 1951.

6 - 12 May 2016

THIS WEEK’S DATES MAY 8: WELCOME TO MOTHERLAND

THIS SUNDAY, Copenhagen will become the city of motherly love. The first official ‘Mor’s Dag’ in Denmark was celebrated on 12 May 1929 and was used to collect money for widows and mothers who lost at war. Mothers usually relax on the day, but why not chuck yours in a cargo bike and take part in a new 7km race organised by Pandora? As long as you cook them breakfast, we doubt they’ll mind.

MAY 9: AN OAR DRAW

1864 IS NOT normally a year associated with Danish victories, but every cloud has a silver lining – in this case, the Battle of Heligoland, which took place on May 9. It pitted Denmark against the might of the AustroHungarian Empire and Prussia. Bizarrely, both sides thought they won. The Danish sailors were given a hero’s welcome back in Copenhagen, while the Austrian commander was promoted! (AJ)

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BUSINESS

6 - 12 May 2016

Big three post Q1 results

ONLINE THIS WEEK Major postage changes

Shell stations sold CANADIAN corporation Couche-Tard has finalised a deal to buy all 131 of the Shell petrol stations in Denmark. CoucheTard already operates the Statoil stations in Denmark. Most of their stations will be operating under the Circle K brand by 2021.

Electric car demise ELECTRIC and plug-in hybrid car sales have fallen sharply in Denmark following the state’s decision to phase back registration tax for electric cars. After a couple of record sales years, the first quarter of 2016 yielded 242 electric car sales – a 65 percent decrease on 2015, according to Insero.

Mothers losing out

Plenty for Vestas, Novo Nordisk and DONG Energy to be happy about CHRISTIAN WENANDE

S IS CUSTOMARY in late April, it was time for many of the country’s companies to release their first quarter results, and among them were Vestas, Novo Nordisk and DONG Energy. Big backlog boost WIND TURBINE producer Vestas’s Q1 revenue dropped 4 percent to 10.9 billion kroner. But while cash flow also fell, its EBIT before special items increased by 7.7 percent to around 633 million. Its total order intake amounted to 2,403 MW, while the value of backlog orders increased by over 22 billion kroner to 134 billion kroner compared to last year.

ONLINE THIS WEEK Additional PINs RISING fraud and greater security demands by financial watchdog Finanstilsynet have resulted in an additional PIN code requirement for the 3.3 million Danes who use their Dankort online. They will be asked when making card purchases of more than 450 kroner.

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FOLLOWING parliamentary approval, Post Danmark is abolishing express letters, Saturday deliveries and free redirected mail. There will only be one regular option, and the standard delivery time will be five days. Since 2000, letter numbers have fallen by 68 percent, and A-letters by 82 percent.

Resigning, not fired

No worries lurking in the fine print

Turnover up 2 billion BIOTECH giant Novo Nordisk’s Q1 sales increased by 9 percent in local currencies while

its net profit decreased by 4 percent to 9.5 billion kroner and turnover rose by 7 percent from 25.2 to 27.2 billion kroner. The result was announced a day after the company announced its long-acting diabetes product Semaglutide can reduce the number of cardiovascular cases among its users.

Profits up DONG ENERGY has made a “highly satisfactory” start to the year. Its Q1 EBITDA jumped 35 percent from 6 to 8.1 billion kroner while its net profit rose 49 percent from 3.5 to 5.2 billion kroner. The improvement was driven by a 53 percent increase in wind power, partly offset by lower gas, oil and power prices.

New head at Lego

Top for energy tech

Offloading Maersk

TUE MANTONI, the managing director of electronics firm Bang & Olufsen, is stepping down. He denies he has been fired in connection with the recent takeover bid launched by Chinese company Sparkle Roll Group. Henrik Clausen, currently with the Telenor group, will take his place on July 1.

Lufthansa strike LUFTHANSA cancelled almost 900 flights on April 27 ahead of planned strikes at airports in Frankfurt, Munich, Dusseldorf, Cologne, Dortmund and Hannover. Over 87,000 passengers were affected as only 40 percent of the German airline’s scheduled flights took off.

Cashless society cometh

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NEWS ORESUND

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KIRKBI.COM

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Testing times ahead

Well played, sir!

Sing it from the rooftops

Abandon ship

“It’s all take, take, take”

WOMEN who give birth to their first child aged 30 or under earn considerably less than women who have their first child later in life, according to Danmarks Statistik. Based on the data of 1.5 million women between 1995 and 2009, the study reveals that the average woman’s salary falls by 37-65 percent following the birth of their first child, and it takes the women six to eight years to recoup the wage reduction. The study also found that university-educated women who have their first child after the age of 31 earn more during their lives than women who don’t have children at all. (CW)

KJELD Kirk Kristiansen is stepping down as head of Lego to hand over the reins to his 37-year-old son, Thomas Kirk Kristiansen – the fourth generation of the family to run the toy producer since it was founded by Ole Kirk Kristiansen in 1932 in Billund. Kjeld Kirk, who had been at the helm since 1979, will remain chairman of Kirkbi, which owns 75 percent of the shares in Lego. Thomas Kirk started his career at Lego in 2004, initially joining the board as an observer, before becoming a fully-fledged board member in 2007. (CW)

DESPITE a small decline in energy tech exports, Danish companies topped Europe in 2015 when it came to exporting energy tech, according to a report by the Energy and Climate Ministry and the two industry and energy advocacy organisations Dansk Industri and Dansk Energi. Denmark exported 71.4 billion kroner worth of energy tech last year – a 4 percent decrease compared to the year before. Energy tech accounts for 11 percent of total Danish exports. Last year, energy tech exports increased to Germany, the US and China, but decreased to Sweden and the UK. (CW)

COPENHAGEN Municipality is selling all of its Maersk shares due to concerns about the corporation’s environmental impact. The municipality had already announced in January it would be selling most of its fossil fuel shares, and it has now decided to not own shares in companies that derive more than 5 percent of their turnover from them. “I have great veneration for Maersk – but I also have a decision from City Hall that clearly states we want to be a green city,” the city mayor, Frank Jensen, told DR. The WWF applauded the decision, while Oil Gas Denmark said it was concerned. (SR)

SINCE 2005, some 968 bank branches and 554 ATMs have been closed down nationwide, reports Momentum. Egon Fræhr, the mayor of Vejen in central Jutland, complains the development is affecting older citizens and people in small towns. In Hovborg near Vejen, the last ATM disappeared last year in spite of protests. “Banks have to help us make society function, and that means citizens should be able to withdraw their own money from a cash machine,” Fræhr told DR. However, banks argue that operating ATMs is costly, and that fewer customers need them. (LR)

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BUSINESS OPINION THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

STEEN VIVE UNION VIEWS Steen is senior advisor at Djøf, the Danish Association of Lawyers and Economists. He is a blogger and manager of various projects aimed at generating jobs in the private sector. In this column he writes about trends and tendencies in the labour market. Follow him on Twitter @SteenVive

Essential skills THE STUDY investigated the skills these companies demand, and the top four are: sales (e.g strengthening the pipeline to

increase sales among new and existing customers); marketing (e.g conducting market analyses and launching new products); communication (e.g updating homepages and newsletters); and business development (e.g facilitating process and workflow improvements). These needs closely fit the skillsets many graduates possess. But what are these companies looking for, and what is it like working for one?

You thought your studies were bad, but the real work starts this summer

A strategic generalist COMPANIES want generalists who can complete a variety of tasks. The companies all have projects they need completed, but they might not necessarily know what skills are required to do so. Thus, employees are hired based on a combination of who they are and what they can do. I have talked to several people who chose this career path. They told me that entry positions

often cover a range of practical tasks. Therefore, operational skills are important. By solving practical tasks, employees get an understanding of the core business. This understanding makes employees practical and realistic when solving analytical tasks. Once employees start combining operational activities with development across their job functions, they begin to create true value.

Diligent job-searching UNFORTUNATELY, these companies rarely post positions. Instead, prospective employees need to go through the business sections in newspapers searching for leads and to contact the companies unsolicited. This can be time-consuming, so it would be a good idea for graduates to spend their summers tackling this task.

Hull and participate in a range of activities tailored to their business requirements. The BCCD worked closely with EEU, highlighting the potential in the UK offshore wind sector and enabling businesses across a wide range of renewable energy sectors to participate.

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O EXPLORE the business opportunities for Danish companies in the growing UK renewable energy sector, the British Chamber of Commerce in Denmark (BCCD), in co-operation with the Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce (HHCC), arranged a trade mission to Hull from 18-19 April 2016. The trade mission was organised with the support of Esbjerg Erhvervsudvikling (EEU) and Djurs Wind Power (DWP) and followed on from a previously successful trade mission, which brought Danish companies over to Green Port Hull (GPH) in November 2015.

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E ARE CLOSING in on graduation day. In a few weeks, thousands of university graduates will hand in their theses – and by thousands, I literally mean thousands. I imagine the majority of them will be looking for jobs. To paraphrase Game of Thrones: ‘Summer is coming’, but at the large corporations, summertime results in a recruitment shutdown. Luckily, there are alternatives. I just read a joint study by Djøf and Håndværksrådet predicting there will be at least 13,000 new jobs suitable for the leavers at small and medium-sized companies across the country. If I were a graduate, I would spend my summer trying to land one of those jobs.

6 - 12 May 2016

Close co-operation FOR THE November trade mission, EEU drew on its extensive network of members and insight into the industry, assembling a broad selection of Denmark’s leading renewable energy companies to visit the facilities in

Natural development BUSINESS consultant Uffe Lundgaard from EEU explains: “With a large supply chain supporting the offshore wind industry in Esbjerg, we see it as a natural development that the companies use their skills and competences to increase market share and expand into other countries. We have made a bridge and now it is up to the companies to use it.” The recent trade mission in April 2016 saw EEU and DWP bringing a selection of cutting-edge Danish companies to participate in a range of business-to-business activities

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Startup Community

Why Innovation?

Mind over Managing

Living in an Expat World

From Struggle to Success

CPH Career

Danish Capital in 2015

Business needs Talent

The Valley of Life

Give Yourself a Chance

MARIANO A DAVIES TRADING KINGDOMS Mariano A Davies is the president & CEO of both the language learning provider Oxford Institute (oxfordinstitute.biz) and the British Chamber of Commerce in Denmark (bccd.dk). BCCD, the Danish arm of a global network of British chambers, provides networking and facilitation through events and other professional services for the business community in Denmark.

The foundations are there for others to capitalise

over the course of two days. Local businesses in the Humber region stand to benefit hugely from the expertise and experience provided by these Danish firms, as they are frequently market leaders in their respective areas. Excellent news THIS IS excellent news for the UK, as its government seeks to

meet the binding EU renewable energy targets for 2020. Furthermore, it is excellent news for the wider region as the Humber establishes its position as the ‘Energy Estuary’. The input of Danish companies will be immensely helpful for local UK companies seeking to gain a foothold in the supply chain of manufacturers like Siemens.

IN 4 ISSUES

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CAREERS ADVICE

6 - 12 May 2016

W DAVID PARKINS 21ST CENTURY ALCHEMY 21st Century Alchemy is a weekly Q&A column for career-minded professionals, entrepreneurs and small businesses written by David Parkins, a business (re)development specialist, company culture strategist, career coach, and IMCSA speaker (ep3.dk).

HILE THIS article is intended for business leaders such as supervisors, managers and owners, every employee can be a leader in what they do or how they interact with others. Your ability, motivation, and attitude determines your influence more than a title or position ever will.

they instead assume their employees know and say nothing? That’s the difference between a manager and a leader; every leader knows that real respect isn’t an entitlement based on a position of authority or a job title. No, the timeless “Do to others what you would like them to do to you” applies to everyone, equally. And real respect will always be given based on how you measure up to that golden rule. Stick to the guidelines in this Performance Improvement Plan for Management and it’s plain sailing ahead. Lead by example – Be the perfect example of the qualities and traits you expect from others, whether they’re clients, employees or employers. Do you expect honesty? Then always be honest. Do you expect us to work hard? Then work harder than we do. Be humble – Never expect anyone to care about your great education, what you’ve done or where you’ve worked. Showoffs and egotists are boring and avoided, so avoid self-promotion and attention-seeking. It’s obnoxious and damages your reputation. Be committed – As a leader we expect you to walk alongside us and work with the team. Willing-

Dear Management … IT’S THE end of April and we’ve just finished the first quarter performance evaluations – a dreaded but time-honoured tradition of making every employee feel like they’re going to lose their job. When I used to walk out of mine, I’d breathe a sigh of relief knowing that, by your good graces, I get to stay a little longer. But what if the tables were turned? What if instead we got to ask you those same questions about performance, commitment, teamwork and character? How would you do? Would you still have your job? If you treat your staff right, you’ll get the results you want. Every manager knows when a job is done well, but do they give respect by recognising the team or individual who did it? Or do

finished, I was sweating profusely, needing to loosen my tie just to breathe. Why? It was a walk-and-talk and he was an aggressive businessman, so it was an aggressive walk. The right clothes depend on who they are, the venue, and the meeting’s purpose, but they need to be both cool and comfortable for you and a subtle reflection of your personality. RULE OF THUMB: Think of an interview as a blind date.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS INTERVIEW QUESTION

HAVE YOU RUN OUT OF IDEAS? STRUGGLING FOR INSPIRATION? NEED SOME MOTIVATION? PLEASE SEND YOUR CAREER OR COMPANY QUESTIONS TO CONTACT@ EP3.DK OR @EP3DK.

I have an interview and I’m not sure what to wear. Suggestions? Thoughts? Last summer, I was invited to a midday meeting and based on background research, I dressed conservatively and somewhat formally. It was completely inappropriate. By the time we’d

ly get in the trenches and get your hands dirty. Get off the phone and get out of your office! Come and see what we’re doing (not just the junior managers, but the cleaners too). Talk to us and learn our names so that when we see each other in the hall, you can address us by name. Ask how things are going. Ask how you can help. Ask for our input or advice. Help others succeed and advance – Always focus on encouraging, complimenting and promoting us. Help us focus on possibilities and find new perspectives. Give us options for development and advancement. Great leaders help others to shine because they’re confident enough to step out of the spotlight. Be a teacher or mentor – The best will leave if you don’t invest in their future (this goes way beyond paychecks, bonuses and raises). Compliment the bright, hardworking, dedicated, reliable and creative, those who have skill sets that you don’t, and those who show potential. Mentor them and support programs that allow them to earn a new skill certification or degree. Balance delegating and being hands-on – An over-delegator is seen as avoiding responsibility, but a control-freak is discourag-

WORKPLACE QUESTION

I work at a large company where I manage several workstreams. Some group participants are older, with more experience and seniority, and I often feel a lack of respect towards me and my leadership. A fairly common mistake that leaders make is not listening to and learning from their team. More experienced employees are one of the best resources at

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ing, sending out the message that you don’t trust us or value our input, knowledge and experience. Find the middle ground. Inspire creativity – Support us with new ideas. Encourage us to take calculated risks and don’t punish us if things don’t work out. We’re all responsible for creating an environment that is open to ideas and possibilities, where everyone is expected to participate and where nothing is superficially wrong. Expect encouragingly – We need to know what you want from us so you can tick the box that says “meets and exceeds expectations”. Help your employees succeed by letting them know what’s expected of them. Reward success – Celebrate the smallest successes. Something as insignificant as a personal handwritten note, a lunch out or a small gift is a good start, but an employee reward program would be better. We want to be acknowledged for a job well done and will appreciate being recognised for it. Build partnerships – We can be your greatest asset if you treat us that way. So stop thinking of us as a cost and start thinking of us as dedicated partners in the company’s future success. the team’s disposal. They’ve been with the company (and often in the industry) for years and they’ve already seen and done everything, including how a problem has developed, how it was handled, and what did and didn’t work and why. When projects don’t go the way we plan, get them team-focused (use the pronoun ‘we’ a lot), facilitate the group’s combined efforts, and ask them what we need to do and what we need to do better.

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OPINION

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

6 - 12 May 2016

Press freedom is not self-evident

AY 3 WAS the 25th International Press Freedom Day. It was celebrated worldwide.

A perilous profession HOWEVER, as Press Freedom Day approached, we continue to hear horrific stories of journalists being harassed into silence as they try to report uncomfortable truths. Verbal attacks by presidential candidates in the US, new

Straight, No Chaser

security laws in Europe and the increased surveillance of information are some of the challenges journalists face today. Last year was one of the worst years for press freedom. About 46 percent of the world’s population lives in areas without press freedom. The worst country of all is North Korea where tightened security and surveillance laws completely limit the space for free expression.

An Englishman abroad, Stephen has lived and worked in Denmark since 1978. His interests include music, art, cooking, real ale, politics and cats.

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High freedom ranking A RECENT international survey on press freedom rated Denmark at number six in front of Sweden, but after Finland and Norway. That is fine. Constitutional protection of the freedom of the press is commonplace – in Denmark and across the world. For example, it’s in the first amendment of the US Constitution that no law should prohibit freedom of speech or of the press.

STEPHEN GADD

Declining in Europe too EUROPE as a whole has endured the largest decline in press freedom in any region according to the report Freedom of the Press 2016. This year, 16 journalists have been killed. In 2015, 70 journalists were killed and 140 imprisoned. It is important to take a day to remember those journalists who paid with their lives, or are behind bars for their efforts to inform the public. (ES)

Is the whole affair morphing into an unfortunate episode of ‘Don’t Forget Your Toothbrush’?

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N THE SPRING, a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of ... industrial-scale tax fiddling? Brexit? Another potentially disastrous open-ended war in the Middle East? An economic downturn? Donald Trump being elected US president? As the Bard put it: “Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,” and how right he was. Bothersome Brexit AS A UK citizen living in Denmark, of all the above worries, the upcoming UK referendum on EU membership (irritatingly known as Brexit) is potentially the most troublesome. It is obvious that emotion, rather than hard facts, will play a major part in the final decision. It seems to be a truth universally acknowledged that any referendum in any EU country on any EU issue is used as an excuse to stick it to a) the incumbent prime minister, b) the party/coalition in power and c) the EU as an institution and anything emanating from Brussels. A recent referendum in the Netherlands on the European Union’s association agreement with Ukraine was hijacked by

anti-EU forces, producing a 61 percent ‘No’ vote. However, only 32.2 percent of the population could be bothered to vote, so it was hardly the resounding raspberry to Brussels that it might appear. Blundering strategies IN 2015, WHEN UK Prime Minister David Cameron promised to hold the referendum, largely to pacify Tory dissenters and prevent further defections to UKIP, it seemed a winnable proposition. Now, the outcome is much less certain. Recent figures show approximately 44 percent favour staying, 42 percent leaving and 15 percent ‘don’t know’. Factor in the ‘Panama Papers’ revelations about the Cameron family tax arrangement and he begins to look more and more like a lame duck. This wouldn’t normally matter except that ‘Dodgy Dave’ is the main cheerleader for remaining in. Brits abroad ignored ONE GROUP largely ignored in the debate are the approximate 1.26 million UK citizens living in other European coun-

tries, of which there are around 18,000 of us living in Denmark. Broadly speaking, only British, Irish and Commonwealth citizens over the age of 18 who are resident in the UK, along with UK nationals living abroad who have been on the electoral register in the UK in the past 15 years, are eligible to vote. So, for the Brit in a bind with no vote, what’s the answer if it all goes pear-shaped after 23 June? One possibility is to seek dual nationality. In Denmark, this has been permitted since 1 September 2015. However, the process is quite complicated and can be long drawn out. You need to be able to prove you can support yourself, obtain a certificate proving proficiency in the Danish language and take a Citizenship Test, which can only be sat twice a year. Both of these items cost money to acquire. Alternatively, you can sit it out and hope for the best. As you’ve probably gathered by now, I’m not exactly a born optimist, but I’m keeping my fingers firmly crossed for a ‘Remain in’ result on Midsummer’s Day. The alternative is a step into unknown and uncharted waters.

OPINION

6 - 12 May 2016

NEXT ISSUE

STEPHANIE BRICKMAN

Brick by Brick Stephanie Brickman made the hop across the North Sea from Scotland to live in Denmark with her distinctly un-Danish family. This 40-something mother, wife and superstar is delighted to share her learning curve, rich as it is with laughs, blunders and expert witnesses.

Under the Raydar RAY WEAVER

Crazier than Christmas VIVIENNE MCKEE

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An Actor’s Life IAN BURNS

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Fashion Jam

“I could have told you that on the day she was born: We’ve got a screamer!”

HE QUEUE is literally a mile long, snaking through Frederiksberg. The line of chattering girls is punctuated every so often by an accompanying dad, standing head and shoulders above the girly crowd with the awkwardness of a meerkat.

S & M, cheeky wink x2 MY FRIEND Irina and I are chaperoning our daughters to see the Canadian teen idol Shawn Mendes at the Falconer Salen. The 3,000 tickets for this gig sold out in hours. Our girls are very excited. All the girls here are very excited. In fact some camped out overnight to be sure to get close to the stage. Almost all of them seem to have long straight hair. Many have written the heart-throb’s initials on their cheeks in eyeliner: S and M. When the queue finally ambles into the venue we discover there’s upstairs seating and, to our joy, there’s no extra charge to sit down, so we pile up there. Downstairs, more than 2,000 pubescent girls have decided to cram into one third of the very large space available and are fanning themselves with their tickets.

El of a shrieko OUR GIRLS troop off to buy t-shirts. Irina says she can’t imagine letting her daughter camp out like that, although she did let her son camp outside ElGiganten with her husband. But that was for a laptop. And I confess that for the first two years we were here I didn’t realise El was short for electricity, as I thought it was a Spanish chain. Just as I’m saying ElGiganten with soft Spanish ‘G’s, the lighting on the stage changes. The house lights are still on, and nothing has happened, but the whole venue erupts into deafening screaming. At least five girls faint below us and get hauled out of the crowd, and our daughters come running back demanding to know what on earth is happening. But that’s nothing compared to what happens later when wee Shawn himself pads onto the stage in his plimsoles. The screaming is so intense Irina and I are sitting with our fingers in our ears. The venue people are desperately handing out water to the front of the crowd, but no matter what Shawn does, someone faints. An unconscious girl is lifted up onto the arms of the crowd and floats like Ophelia towards the waiting bouncers,

her handbag clasped under her crossed forearms. Suzie would leather it AFTER an initial acoustic set, wee Shawn’s all-male backing band comes on. I have a feminist moment. Suddenly I want to tell all these girls that it could be them making music. I want Aretha Franklin singing lead and Katy Perry writing the songs and playing guitar. I want Carol Carpenter (because I cannot think of another female drummer) and I want Suzie Quatro on bass, dammit, in her leather trousers. Shawn sings a high note. A girl faints. Shawn sets out singing a song the whole crowd knows. A girl faints. Shawn tells the crowd that Denmark has the most beautiful girls. Three girls faint. I try and reframe my feminist unease. This evening men have provided the entertainment, been an object of desire (not mine), kept everyone safe, handed out water, and picked up unconscious young girls and carried them about. If you view men as staff, the whole proposition improves. “This must be hard work for you,” I say to one of the young security guys as we’re leaving. He sighs and says sadly: “I used to like girls.”

JENNY EGSTEN-ERICSON

Straight Up ZACH KHADUDU IN 4 ISSUES

Prospects of the City PER SMIDL

A Dane Abroad KIRSTEN LOUISE PEDERSEN IN 5 ISSUES

‘Mere te’ Vicar? DARREN MCCALLIG

The Director’s Cut DAVID NOEL BOURKE

COMMUNITY

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

6 - 12 May 2016

ABOUT TOWN

PHOTOS BY HASSE FERROLD

The Annual St George’s Day Dinner & Celebration of Her Majesty’s Queen Elizabeth II 90th Birthday proved to be more than a mouthful for the attendees who enjoyed a lavish meal and some rousing renditions of classic English songs such as ‘Jerusalem’, ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ and ‘Rule Britannia’. And as if two celebrations weren’t enough, they also tipped a hat to the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare and the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Jutland. Co-organised by the British Chamber of Commerce (BCCD) and the Royal Society of St George Denmark (RSSGD), among those in attendance were (centre: left-right) KUKS president Kaj Larssen, who is also the president of the St Andrew’s Society (hence the kilt), RSSGD president Simon Mears, Canadian ambassador André François Giroux and BCCD president Mariano A Davies; while (right) the honorable guest was Air Vice Marshal David R Hawkins-Leth

Poland celebrated its Constitution Day on April 26 with some of its traditional cuisine served with a modern twist at the Copenhagen Hospitality College in Valby. Polish ambassador Henryka Mościcka-Dendys (left, second right) was at hand to see it was up to Poland’s high standards. Among those in attendance were Chinese ambassador Liu Biwei, Austrian ambassador Ernst-Peter Brezovsky and Dutch ambassador Henk Swarttouw; and (right) the outgoing dean of the diplomatic corps, the Moroccan ambassador Raja Ghannam

‘Nepal Now’ was the place to be on April 23 as the Asian country commemorated the first anniversary of the devastating earthquake that killed 8,900 people by fighting back with a promotional event to draw attention to its culture and tourism possibilities. The earthquake may have destroyed some the country’s heritage, but it still remains one of the ultimate countries to visit, Nepalese ambassador Mukti Nath Bhatta (left) told those in attendance. Among the performances was a Tamang Selo dance

Norwegian psychologist and neuroscientist MayBritt Moser, who won one quarter of the 2014 Nobel Prize winner for Physiology or Medicine, was a speaker at the Black Diamond on April 1

Venezuelan ambassador Aura Mahuampi Rodriguez de Ortiz (third left) was among those present at Mother Earth Day at Nørrebro Parken on April 23

Acclaimed Dutch violinist and conductor André Rieu performed to a packed house at Forum on April 28

MARKETPLACE

6 - 12 May 2016

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Living Church is an international church family – a visionary congregation with a genuine passion for God. Our worship is joyful and vibrant. You will find a church family and a home with us. Sunday Service 12:00 with Children’s Church (ages 2-14); Home Groups Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday Femagervej 39, 2650 Hvidovre (Close to Hvidovre Station) For more information see: www.levendekirke.com; facebook.com/levendekirke

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COMMUNITY

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

6 - 12 May 2016 ALESSANDRA PALMITESTA

ALEX JMAES

OLE SCHULTZ HENRIKSEN

OUT AND ABOUT

ALEX JMAES

ALESSANDRA PALMITESTA OLE SCHULTZ HENRIKSEN

AYDAY birch pollen allergy sufferers! That was when the agony started, and it’s been downhill ever since, but uphill for the country’s sun-worshippers. As is traditional, thousands flocked to Fælledparken near the national

stadium in Østerbro for socialist discourses, homage to the unions, speeches from leading left-wing politicians and lots of music, beer and hot dogs – and the Copenhagen Weekly Post were out in force. Trainee journalist Alessandra Palmitesta (top right,

right; bottom left, left) joined friends for frolics in the park. Pictured with her (top right: left-right) are Paula from Spain, Ricard from Spain and Giulia from Italy; and (bottom left: left-right) Nicky from Greece, Maria from Spain, Petko from Bulgaria, Savvas from Greece and Gi-

ulia from Italy. Fellow trainee, Alex James, remained camera shy, but stayed sober long enough to take a snap of the North Korean tent (bottom right) where he picked up various knick-knacks. Finally, the family of managing editor Ben Hamilton

ISTOCK

Culture Østerbro Fair is hosting 40 different organisations ready to show expats a number of interesting local activities. From workshops for children and grown-ups to sports and music, there is something for everybody! (May 8, 14:00-16:00; Østerbrohuset, Århusgade 103, Cph Ø; free adm)

Presented by EuroEnviro2016 and Djøf Studerende, this panel will include experts from different fields discussing on ethics, urban issues and the future of sustainability (May 11, 19:45-21:35; Den Sorte Diamant, Dronningesalen, Søren Kierkegaards Plads 1, Cph K; free adm, register at mitdjoef.dk)

New theatre group The Rabbit Hole Company presents John Christopher-Wood’s ‘Elsie & Norm’s ‘Macbeth’’ (see 21 for more details), a comedy that guarantees a fun and eccentric experience that will not be easy to forget! (May 11, 19:00; A Touch of Vintage, Badstuestræde 12, Cph K; 135 kr)

Reflect on on the future of our planet at a movie screening of ‘Planet RE:think’, presented by EuroEnviro and Creative Roots in collaboration with Ace & Ace. The film is in English (May 9, 19:30-21:30; Under Buen, Bispeengen 1, Frederiksberg; free adm)

ISTOCK

The 1990s want you back! Enjoy a delicious dinner (50kr), learn some funky dance steps, and then move to the rhythm of ‘90s beats on the dancefloor all night long! (May 7, 18:00; Absalon, Sønder Blvd. 73, Cph V; free adm; facebook.com)

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NATHAN WOODS

COMING UP SOON

(pictured bottom centre are daughters Billie, showing off, and Karla, in serious contemplation) continued their long tradition of heading to the communist area, while Ben continued his long tradition of staying home and watching the football. DAVE SMITH

This is an unmissable event for beer lovers. Directly from Manchester, a team from Cloudwater Brewing are displaying their tasty brews at Banksia Beer Bar (May 12, 16:00, Banksia Beer Bar, Gothersgade 8D, Cph K; heyevent.com) ALESSANDRA PALMITESTA

SCHOOLS

6 - 12 May 2016

Institut Sankt Joseph is seeking a Primary Mathematics, Science, PE teacher for our International Bilingual Program Institut Sankt Joseph is looking for a highly skilled, experienced primary teacher to join our exciting International Bilingual department. We are looking for a teacher who is professional, committed to excellence and wishes to promote the educational and formational mission of Institut Sankt Joseph. The positions: From 1 August 2016 we are looking for a teacher to lead on the following subjects: • Primary Mathematics and Science following the Cambridge International Curriculum • PE Our requirements: • You are a mother-tongue English speaker • You are fluent or almost fluent in Danish (B2-C2 according to the C.E.F.R) • You will be dedicated to the educational and formational mission of Institut Sankt Joseph • You can be a classroom leader and contribute to the dynamic bilingual team • You are able to communicate effectively with parents and students from different educational and cultural backgrounds

Even better: • You have experience with bilingual education • You have experience with the Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) program • You intend to be in Denmark for the long term • You have a working knowledge of the Danish educational system What you will be doing: As a teacher in our program, you will be required to work in a unique bilingual team, composed of both Native Danish and English speakers. You will report directly to the International Department Head and be involved in the following activities: • lesson planning • teaching • parent teacher conferences • student conferences • evaluation • daily communication with students and parents via the intranet

• team meetings • participation in training programs • participation in school committees that promote our formational/ educational mission and team building More about your place of work: Institut Sankt Joseph is a private Catholic school located in the heart of the Østerbro district of Copenhagen. As of 2016, there are over 700 students, 70 employees; with both the students and staff representing culturally diverse backgrounds. We expect overall well-being and high academic levels to complement each other for both students and employees as we live our formational/educational mission. Our wonderful children come from over 55 different countries, which on a daily basis enliven our school with intercultural learning and international discovery. We see ourselves

as a humanistic formation centre grounded in Catholic-humanistic values that are expressed in our school motto: “It is every human beings task to become human.” How to apply: You must have the necessary international and/or Danish teaching credentials, as well as meet the aformentioned credentials to be eligible. All applications should include a cover letter and CV. Please send both applications and CV´s by mail to Thomas Knudsen Mulhern at tkm@sanktjoseph.dk Conditions of employment will be according to the common agreement with the Danish Ministry of Finance and the LC collective bargaining agreement for leaders and teachers in private schools. Deadline for applying: 13 May Interviews to be held on Wednesday the 18th of May and Thursday the 19th of May.

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SCHOOLS

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

6 - 12 May 2016

Students scoop seven awards at science fair

TUDENTS from Skt Josef ’s School in Roskilde last month triumphed in Denmark’s largest talent competition in science and technology, Unge Forskere, winning seven awards in the junior category. The young scientists competed against 100 innovative projects shortlisted for the 2016 Unge Forskere finals, which took place at Forum.

SKT JOSEF’S SCHOOL

LUCIE RYCHLA

UNGE FORSKERE (YOUNG SCIENTISTS) • Danish national science fair founded in 1989 • Accepts science projects from Danish public schools and gymnasiums, which compete in three categories: Technology, Life Science and Physical Science • The finals take place at the Science Fair in Forum and attract thousands of visitors

Handshake with prince A TOTAL of 2,188 projects from public schools all over Denmark were registered for the science fair this year, and over 9,000 visitors came to Forum to support the finalists and see their projects. At the end, the patron of the competition, Prince Joachim, and the education minister, Christine Antorini, awarded prizes worth a total 250,000 kroner to all the winners.

ence for the whole school,” Tine Gregory, the international communications manager at Skt Josef ’s School, told the Copenhagen Post Weekly. “And it was also great for the integration of our international students.”

Fantastic experience “IT WAS a fantastic experi-

Internationals shine THREE of Skt Josef ’s finalists

• The winners receive financial awards and travel grants • Its patron is Prince Joachim of Denmark

Skt Josef ’s won seven awards

came from the school’s international department, which was established in 2012 and recently celebrated its 100th student. Although they haven’t been with the school for a very long time, two of the three international finalists won first and third prize in their categories and received 15,000 and 10,000 kroner each.

Highly innovative THE SKT Josef ’s students’ projects covered a wide range of innovative solutions, including an innovative asthma treatment, a smartphone climate cover, wireless energy transmission via laser, and energy made from fibre.

SKT JOSEF'S SCHOOL • An independent CatholicChristian school, founded in 1904 • Located in the historic centre of Roskilde, about 30 km from Copenhagen • The Danish department has over 800 students • The international department was established in 2012 with 15 students, and it now has 115 • The international department is open to children aged 5-16 years and is based on the Cambridge International Programme • Its next info evening is on May 12 from 16:30-18:30

On top of the students’ achievements, the school’s science teacher Ole Grevald received the ‘Teacher of the Year’ award in the public school age category.

COMMUNITY

6 - 12 May 2016

Pizza on wheels: Bikes, breaks, bakes – a delivery like no other With approval from her majesty, Michele Lucarelli will be difficult to avoid in his 400 kilo cargo bike this summer, where he will be cooking up a storm on his portable oven ALESSANDRA PALMITESTA

IZZA GUYS are not all the same. There are the traditional pizza delivery boys, and there is Michele Lucarelli. This smiling Italian guy does not ring your bell to deliver a pizza in a cardboard box. Rather, you have to locate him and enter his front door, the flap of his 400kg cargo bike that reveals an oven where he prepares and serves pizzas. He calls the project ‘Bike and Bake’. Royal assent MOSTLY active in Ameliehaven, he may not receive house calls, but he is the perfect neighbour. Just last month he gave a pizza as a birthday present to her majesty, and she sent him a thank you letter with the royal stamp, as this is how they do things in Amelienborg. Lucarelli, 35, has been pretty busy over the last month, giving interviews to a host of Italian newspapers – including La Repubblica, Il Resto del Carlino, Il Corriere Adriatico and Il Mattino – and to several radio stations as well. All of them are extremely excited about the creativity of their compatriot abroad. Homegrown recognition LAST BUT not least, he recently received the Medal of Civic Merit in Rådhuspladsen, from representatives of his Ital-

ian hometown, San Costanzo (Marche region), for exporting a special kind of pizza: ‘Crescia d’la Stacciola’. Between serving and pedalling, the Copenhagen Post Weekly caught up with Lucarelli to find out how his summer on the streets of the capital is shaping up.

HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THIS IDEA?

I have been baking pizzas since I was a teenager so I could be more independent while studying and travelling around the world. For two years I lived in New Zealand, where I discovered the spirit of adventure. I was working as a cook and I loved riding my motorbike and going from hostel to hostel to make pizzas for all the people there – just because I liked it. Then I started having ideas about making food on the road. In New Zealand I met my Danish girlfriend, and I followed her to Denmark.

HOW DID YOU START THIS PROJECT?

As soon as I arrived here, I grasped how much the use of the bike is a symbol of Danish customs. Since I wanted to encourage integration between different cultures – as culture is a process that evolves – I decided to bring and add my values and background to the Danish ones. This is how the project ‘Bike and Bake’ was born.

WHY DO YOU DEFINE ‘BIKE AND BAKE’ AS A MULTICULTURAL PROJECT?

Although pizza has Italian origins, nowadays it belongs to

everyone. From South Korea to America, it represents the spirit of aggregation and sharing. Indeed, my pizza-bike has no flags: I am a cosmopolitan open to cultural collaborations. The project is a mix of cultures: after lengthy research, I opted for an oven made in Sicily from volcanic stone, while the bike is designed in Copenhagen. It is the same with the ingredients I use. I went personally to the Danish farms that produce organic flour, organic milk for the mozzarella and veggies, while the oil and tomatoes are from Italy.

I STARTED this project because it is a way to go beyond borders, and I want to do it not alone but with others, in order to fuel integration. I am moved by passion: a love of travelling and discovering new cultures.

If you want to know where Michele is today with his bike, or order a home delivery, check his FB page ‘Bike and Bake’.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR COLLABORATIONS?

Crowdfunding not only helped me to raise funds, it introduced me to many supportive people who helped me for free with a website, video and logo because they believe in what I do. To me, this is already a big success as these collaborations became friendships. I’ve recently been contacted by a street artist asking me to work together, and this is what I am looking for. I am a street chef because I want to be in touch with people and promote different talents.

WHAT’S THE ULTIMATE AIM OF YOUR PROJECT?

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BRUNCH

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

6 - 12 May 2016

We ate brunch like Berliners in spirit ALESSANDRA PALMITESTA

ALESSANDRA PALMITESTA

VON FRESSEN Vesterbrogade 124, Cph V; open daily from 11:00 (brunch served until 14:00), weekends from 10:00 (15:00); brunch 125kr; vonfressen.com

HERE ARE some that maintain JFK erred when he said “Ich bin ein Berliner” – that the addition of the ‘ein’ turned ‘I am a Berliner’ into a ‘I am a jam doughnut’. Nothing could be further from the truth, as what he actually said was “I am a Berliner in spirit’, and you can be too via a visit to Von Fressen, and as an added bonus enjoy their jam – a tasty tomato variety!

ALESSANDRA PALMITESTA

Like in Prenzlauer Berg WHEN VON Fressen opened its doors six and a half years ago, the founders wanted to recreate the same atmosphere they fell in love with in Prenzlauer Berg, one of the coolest districts of Berlin. They’ve duly incorporated the eccentric style of the German capital’s bars into their Vesterbro café – and as soon as you come in, the interior decoration they’re famous for launches an all-out assault on your senses. And there’s no escape! Raise your head, and a dark ceiling with golden decor will leave you mesmerised. You’ve just stepped into Von Fressen’s world!

Unless stated otherwise, the meals in these reviews are paid for by the venue.

Artfully handled WE TAKE a seat in an adorable corner of the café where we are immerged into ornate surroundings. Old paintings of all kinds – religiously themed, ancient portraits – photos and mirrors decorate the walls, each of them coloured differently. Ermanno, the manager, warmly welcomes us and introduces us to the café’s simple and

clear values: to serve fresh and homemade food to all its clients. We order two brunches: a vegetarian and a vegan. The menu also has a meat option, as well as a wide range of breakfast dishes. The essential espresso BUT FIRST things first. We are Italians and we need to start our day with an espresso. The taste of the coffee is great,

but surprisingly, although it has an undeniably Italian fragrant aroma, it is roasted not far from the café in Amager. “Relying on Danish suppliers brings a savory fresh taste to our products, and this is extremely important for us,” explains Ermanno. A mountain of choice THE RICH visual details of the

place gladly entertain our watchful eyes; however, as soon as the brunches appear, we shift our interest to the mouthwatering specialties. My vegetarian brunch incorporates a huge range of delicious flavours. Sipping organic orange juice, I start with soft scrambled eggs served with grilled vegetables, tomato, cress, potatoes, a radish salad and cottage cheese. My need for salt is indulged by delicious quinoa and a chickpea burger with tomato jam, served with organic bread and butter. A palate-cleaning glass of creamy Greek yogurt with organic honey and homemade granola sets me up for a grand finale to complete the yummy experience with a delicate thyme and blueberry pancake. Similarly, the vegan brunch presents quinoa and a chickpea burger with tomato jam, grilled vegetables, tomato, cress and a vegan potato salad on rye. Moreover, the dish includes a gentle hummus and olives, as well as a range of fruit, including oranges and grapes, and a refreshing elderflower-mint lemonade. The way to start the day WE CONCLUDE our morning meal greatly satisfied: we felt the warmth of home-made food and appreciated the variety and the care it was prepared with. Von Fressen is absolutely the right place to start the day with its wunderbar brunch!

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INOUT: WHAT’S ON

6 - 12 May 2016

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

Thu May 12, 20:00, Forum Copenhagen, Julius Thomsens Plads 1, Frederiksberg; 500kr ALEX JAMES

IN RECENT years folk-rock has had a popular and critical resurgence. At the forefront of this new wave of music is Mumford & Sons, leading the way with their banjo-heavy hits, although they have since ditched the instrument. Their first album was a real breakthrough for the band. Babel scored number one album rankings in the US and the UK, where it was also the fastest selling album of 2012. The album contained hits such as ‘I Will Wait’ and built upon the success of their debut album Sigh No More.

ELSIE AND NORM’S ‘MACBETH’ May 4-27, Thu & Fri 20:00; A Touch of Vintage, Badstuestræde 12, Cph K; 150kr, discounts available, rabbithole.dk BRAND new theatre company Down the Rabbit Hole is staging John ChristopherWood’s inventive comedy about a bored

expat couple’s attempt to restage Macbeth. They have taken it upon themselves to reinvent the iconic drama, deeming it too wordy and the poetry lacking in rhyme! The audacious duo decide to simplify the bard’s text and rather ambitiously take on every character role themselves. The audience are in prime position as the hilarity ensues, seated in the centre of Macbeth’s castle while the play goes on around them. (AC)

VANESSA CARLTON Tue May 10, 21:00; Vega, Enghavevej 40, Cph V; 180kr IT HAS been 14 years since Vanessa Carlton’s biggest hit ‘A Thousand Miles’ first hit our airwaves. Her debut led to overnight popularity and critical acclaim – including three Grammy award nominations.

CULTURE ØSTERBRO FAIR

May 8, 14:00-16:00; Østerbrohuset, Århusgade, Cph Ø; kulturoesterbro.dk A fair for expats in Copenhagen looking for clubs, evening classes and activities to get involved in during their stay. Few will be able to resist this spread of cultural activities that will help you make the most of your free time. (PS)

KIDS

NÅR MOR OG FAR FÅR TID

May 8, 15:00; Kulturhuset Islands Brygge, Islands Brygge 18, Cph S; 60kr; k-i-b.dk It’s not just the Jazz Festival that makes cool cats out of the kids. This concert (ages 2-8) promises beautiful songs performed by Anna Britt Mathiassen with support from Martin Spang Olsen on the guitar. (NØ)

MARKET

BELLAHØJ FLEA MARKET

May 5-8, Thu-Fri: from 11:00, Sat-Sun: from 10:00; Hvidkildevej 66, Cph NV; 25kr; bhd-marked.dk Bellahøj often hosts markets, but this one in particular is more family-friendly. With the funfair area, the children’s flea market and live music, you are guaranteed great fun. (NØ)

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FAIR

Carlton has released a lot of music since then and as a result has matured as a songwriter. 2016 has seen the release of her latest offering, Liberman, which has received positive reviews from critics. Fans of her early work will be surprised by the maturity of Carlton’s voice and songs. And this is surely a chance to embrace her wider body of work – in all its quirky glory. (AJ) ISTOCK

CPH LINDY HOP LX

May 4-8; Søpavillionen, Gyldenløvesgade, Cph K & other locations; 710kr; copenhagenlindyexchange.dk Get your dancing shoes on and jive away to the rocking sounds of bands such as the Shirt Tail Stompers and Billy Bros Swing Orchestra. Swirl your girl around the dancefloor, but hurry up as tickets can sell out quickly. (PS)

PICK OF THE WEEK

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DANCE

COPENHAGENLINDYEXCHANGE.DK

ART ALIVE

May 6-7; Louisiana, Gammel Strandvej 13, Humlebæk; 115kr, louisiana.dk For two days Louisiana is hosting Art Alive, a contemporary arts festival that introduces a great number of the artists currently showing in the museum, along with talks, performances and debates. (AP)

LOUISIANA.DK

ART

The group are no longer rookies in the music industry. While critics and fans alike were shocked by the new music on Wilder Mind, long-term the band’s live performances have benefited from songs with a heavier sound. This has allowed the group to take their brand of arena-rock onto a new level. The two very separate sounds the group have utilised combine perfectly, allowing crowds to enjoy a mix of powerful anthems and acoustic numbers. True, folk music may no longer be at the heart of the band, but fans should not mourn the evolution of their music. After all, many successful bands change their sound – just look at U2 and the Rolling Stones. Fans can look forward to witnessing a band at the height of their artistic powers, who are sure to rock Copenhagen this May.

ARTIST’S FACEBOOK PAGE

MUMFORD & SONS

INOUT:FILM

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

Eye-catching despite the occasional pie in the sky MARK WALKER FILM EDITOR

EYE IN THE SKY Dir: Gavin Hood; UK thriller, 2015, 102 mins; Helen Mirren, Aaron Paul, Alan Rickman, Iain Glen, Barkhad Abdi PREMIERED MAY 5 PLAYING NATIONWIDE

HERE’S a decidedly TV movie feel to this film from South African director Gavin Hood (Tsotsi) that probably comes courtesy of a limited budget and a small number of uninspired locations (save an incredible ping pong hall in Beijing) spread across the globe. Nevertheless, this doesn’t hamper the film’s efficiency in immersing us in the ethical, moral and bureaucratic quagmire endured by a small group of politicians and military officials over the matter of one protracted drone strike. Anatomy of a drone strike A GROUP of high-priority Al-Shabaab terrorists are meeting in a secret safe-house in Nairobi, Kenya, unaware that they are being closely

AT CINEMAS

6 - 12 May 2016

OU ONLY begin to understand why a name like Julia Roberts agrees to star in a crapfest like Mother’s Day, and other crapfests by Gary Marshall, when you consider that, once upon a time, the director also helmed Pretty Woman, the film that catapulted Roberts to global recognition. Ironically, the more she continues to honour the man, the more faustian the arrangement appears – viewed chronologically, it is a meta-sequel tale of an ageing high-class hooker working off an insurmountable debt to her pimp. Otherwise, this is a rare week in which there’s no new superhero film – not even one. There is, however, a horror film about a doll that comes to life because it’s possessed by a … (excuse me

monitored by political and military personnel in both the UK and the US. When what was supposed to be a capture mission turns into a kill mission, a drone is dispatched by the US and awaits the green light from London to fire. We share Colonel Katherine Powell’s (Mirren) increasing frustration as she is forced to watch the time run out on her opportunity to make this hit – one that we learn has been six years in the making. All the while politicians in Westminster are unable to agree on a legal course of action given that the target includes both UK and US nationals. The tension ratchets up for everyone, including a young drone pilot in Nevada (Paul from Breaking Bad) who sits, finger on the trigger, conflicted over his duty to kill and a growing concern over a young Kenyan girl who sets up her bread stall inside the blast radius.

Given that you rarely see the carnage up close, operating a drone is no different from cooking meth

Rating bad next to The Queen IT WOULD be too reassuring to believe that these decisions are informed by the kind of humanity on display here, but historical evidence tells us that this is not always the case. The drone pilot spends much of his time at

the trigger with tears sitting in his eyes, and although we are told that this is his first strike, it is the one attempt to humanise these characters that doesn’t entirely ring true. Helen Mirren excels as the British colonel in charge of the operation, allowing her impatience to only occasionally compromise her pointed composure throughout. The fact that we share in her frustration makes us complicit in her questionable willingness to get the kill – by any means necessary. The late Alan Rickman, in his final screen role, is a lieutenant general who func-

while I slip into a coma). Unsurprisingly, The Boy is reportedly another crapfest, leaving just one promising new release. Eye in the Sky is a British thriller from director Gavin Hood. Boasting Helen Mirren and the final on-screen performance from Alan Rickman, the film details the protracted procedure for a drone strike while addressing difficult questions concerning the future of modern warfare. See this week’s review. The celebrations of Lars von Trier’s 60th birthday continue at Cinemateket with Dogville on Saturday at 18:00 and its sequel Manderlay later at 21:30. They represent the first two parts in Trier’s as yet unfinished ‘America’ trilogy. Meanwhile the Billy Wilder season enters its final stretch with the classic Hollywood dream-turned-nightmare

Sunset Boulevard. Highly recommended on the big screen, it’s on Wednesday at 21:45. On Sunday at 14:15, Cinemateket’s Danish on a Sunday series (always with English subs) is showing Bridgend (2015), Jeppe Rønde’s impressionistic chronicle of a suicide epidemic among the eponymous Welsh county’s youth (check out our two-star review at cphpost.dk). Tickets are 45-70 kroner and an extra 40 kroner will get you coffee and a pastry. For Cinemateket’s program, see dfi.dk/ Filmhuset. If all the above sounds a little dry, spice up your weekend with Huset’s Lust-O-Rama evening (huset-kbh.dk). Lust in the Dust stars notorious drag queen Divine (aka The Filthiest Person Alive) and starts Saturday at 20:00. Tickets are 80kr at the door. (MW)

tions as Mirren’s go-between, tasked with schooling the politicians in Westminster. Steers clear of jingoism ALONGSIDE the drone itself, there are two other pieces of spy surveillance tech that would seem more at home in 007’s Q Division: a remote-controlled robotic bird that peeks through windows, and a flying insect intended to infiltrate close quarters. The latter is controlled with a repurposed gaming device by an undercover Kenyan agent (a welcome return for Barkhad

Abdi from Captain Philips). These devices are crucial to the plot, and while the tech is actually in development, I suspect their representation here is somewhat fanciful. Despite presenting a fairly one-sided perspective on drone warfare (i.e those who have them), Hood manages to wrap some pertinent questions about their use in a highly suspenseful package. What the film lacks in production value, we are spared in the kind of distasteful jingoism that might otherwise have saturated a larger (American) production.

‘BOOM BUST BOOM’ DOCUMENTARY OF THE MONTH May 12th-18th. Monty Python director Terry Jones mixes expert insight, animation, puppetry and song to explain economics to everyone. We present some 50 films with English dialogue or subtitles every month. See what’s on at cinemateket.dk CINEMATEKET / GOTHERSGADE 55 / CINEMATEKET.DK

INOUT:TV

6 - 12 May 2016

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

EUROVISION.TV

EUROVISION SEMI-FINALS DR1 & SVT1,TUE & THU 21:00

PICK OF THE WEEK

NE OF the first things that struck me about Danish women back in the 1990s was how much they loved Eurovision. It was all a bit sad really. The men had won Euro 92, and all the nation needed to complete the set was the song contest – and an untainted one at that (see page 4). These days, two victories later, they don’t really seem to care anymore.

The buildings were apparently inspired by Janet Jackson’s half-time performance at Super Bowl XXXVIII

president died, France pulled out and we can watch the ABBA theme night. Whilst you watch, remember that The Secret Life of Your House (DR2 Mon 20:00) says you have cockroaches in your home. And they smell of mouldy cheese and carry egg sacs. Are you uncomfortable yet? Now take a cruise around TV land. First, let’s go to the Pacific to catch The Island (SVT1 Mon 22:15). Then sail on into

the dazzling musical documentary Mumbai High (SVT1 Wed 23:05). Next venture to less exotic climates as The Gypsy Matchmaker (DR2 Tue 23:05) and Addicted to Tattoos (DR3 Mon 20:45) show us the weird and wonderful sub-cultures of Britain. Now back in Europe, let’s finish with the 40-Year-Old Virgins (TV2 Sun 23:45) and the powerful documentary My Nazi Legacy (DRK Sun 21:00). . ALEX JAMES

ALSO NEW

DR2, Sat 20:00 ABBA theme night

HOUDINI AND DOYLE

COMING SOON One’s at home locked up, the other opiated up

SVT4, all week from Sat 15:10 Ice Hockey World Championship

FILM OF THE WEEK DR2, Fri 20:00 Grace of Monaco

TV3, Sun 21:00 What to expect when you’re expecting

SVT1, Sat 23:50

A Serious Man

ALEX JAMES GIRODITALIA.IT

TV3 Sport 1, Sat 13:25 Championship: Boro vs Brighton

Houdini believes in nothing and Doyle believes in everything – it’s a promising dynamic, but with 52 on Metacritic, the critics have been luke-warm about this lighthearted, bog-standard procedural. “It is less exciting than it sounds,” despairs the LA Times, while the NY Times concurs the leads are “one-dimensional and dull”. JUNYI QI

MARTIN MERK

SPORT OF THE WEEK

MASTER illusionist Harry Houdini (Michael Weston – the psycho in Six Feet Under), noted for his spectacular escape acts, and groundbreaking author Arthur Conan Doyle (Stephen Mangan – Episodes), the creator of the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes, join forces to investigate crimes, begrudgingly.

CHEMICAL ENGINEER

THIS YEAR we’ve got two £120 million games in the Championship. Middlesbrough need just a point at home to Brighton to get promoted at the visitors’ expense. Meanwhile in the EPL, Leicester will lift the trophy at home to Everton (3+, Sat 18:30) and Man City host Arsenal (TV3 Sport 2, Sun 16:55). Elsewhere, we’ve got the Ice Hockey Worlds and Giro d’Italia. (BH)

With its strait jackets, a loony bin’s more like a holiday

Two things are certain about the contest. Firstly, the act with the most searches on Google will win – unless one of the automatic qualifiers springs a surprise. The bookies accordingly know who will win by the end of the semis. The cunning will bet with their friends only. And secondly, the order of the voting will be rigged so the second favourite’s friends are in the first half to make it appear close. In reality, it rarely is. BEN HAMILTON PEREIRA, FERNANDO ANEFO

THE FATE of the world could have been very different had France participated in the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest. They would have given points to Italy and the wild costumes, mammoth tours and heartbreaking finish that made ABBA famous would never have been. Instead we would be reminiscing over Gigliola Cinquetti’s finest hour and laughing at Meryl Streep’s performance in her musical ‘Si’. Let’s be grateful the French

TV2, all week from Fri 14:30 Giro D’Italia

PUMPKIN and Honey Bunny from Pulp Fiction could have livened up clichéd montage movie What to expect when you’re expecting – “If any of your pricks move …” Then again, if anyone needs a volley, it’s Tim Roth for turgid turns as Sepp Blatter and Prince Rainier in Grace of Monaco. He is clearly no longer A Serious Man. (BH)

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