CPH POST 10 - 31 October 2019

COMMUNITY

TAKE YOUR

International Citizen Day was a huge success at DGI-byen as thousands descended on the venue to source valuable advice and information

FREE PAPER

DANISH NEWS IN ENGLISH VOL 22 ISSUE 14

Diplomacy GAZIN MAMN 2019

E

AUTU

SPECIAL EDITION

Diplomacy Magazine’s autumn edition is packed full of interviews, political analysis and event coverage

27

INSIDE U AMADO SADOR N E AS DEA EN AMBAS • NIGERI ON HIS NEW ROL PS TCHEKO ATIC COR DIPLOM OF THE COMPRE

CPHPOST.DK 11 - 31 Oct 2019

HENSIV

TO E GUIDE

AMBASS

ADORS

MAR IN DEN

K

LOCAL Three more city explosions as randomness of attacks continues 2 INTERNATIONAL

Lonely Planet retraction?

From cool to clogged-up – but others concur that Denmark is good for travel

WINDY FILLER

7

Finally over the line!

COMMUNITY Shameless to Christianshavn: everyone needs a Legge up!

18 COMMUNITY

Check out this UN City!

From New York to Nordhavn: CIS is the United Nations!

20-21 PRINT VERSION ISSN: ONLINE VERSION ISSN:

2446-0184 2446-0192

9 771398 100009

9

Sure, there was a derailment, but that didn’t stop the new City Ring Metro from opening on time on September 29 CHRISTIAN WENANDE

V

ANDALS, a derailment, unfinished toilets and an outstanding tax bill couldn’t scupper the plans to open the new City Ring Metro – this country’s biggest construction project since the 17th century – on September 29.

Around 150,000 Copenhageners took advantage of a free ride offer to test it out (see photos on pages 4 and 5).

Hurt pride SECURITY clearance was raised as vandalism – including severed

and bent cables – was reported at all 17 stations on the line.

And they could have done without a derailment on the existing Metro line on September 13 between Vanløse and Frederiksberg stations. Nobody was injured, just Metroselskabet’s pride.

Holding on ... for a while IT HASN’T been all plain sailing since the opening.

Due to the bankruptcy of a distributor, six of the Metro's new sleek-looking public toilets won't open until a replacement is found – and that could take over a year.

And it has emerged that some of the construction companies have failed to pay 51 million kroner in tax, although 3F warns the figure could be much higher.

Best left in the family

Ronnie’s limo

THE NEW leader of Venstre is Jakob Ellemann-Jensen, the son of Uffe, the former foreign minister, who led the party from 1984 to 1998. Ellemann-Jensen, 45, the former environment and food minister, has been an MP since 2011. At last month’s Venstre summit, Inger Støjberg was picked to be his second-in-command ahead of Ellen Trane, winning a vote by a margin of 577 to 206.

A 1986 CADILLAC Armbruster Stageway Limousine, which reportedly once belonged to US President Ronald Reagan, was among the 41 US classic cars sold at auction by Kenneth Falke Thiel, the owner of Falke Cars, on Sunday. Thiel bought them 'on the blind' from a US collector.

Britta goose chase

SOME 41.8 percent of public sector workers are prescribed medication, according to FOA figures – up from 28.5 percent in 2012.

LAWYERS have so far clocked up 615 hours trying to track down the money embezzled by Britta Nielsen, who is accused of skimming away 117 million kroner over a 25-year period from various public bodies. They have looked through 80 to 90 percent of the relevant paperwork and only tracked down 5-6 million.

Municipal meds

Soaked September LAST MONTH was the rainiest September for 18 years. Over 130 mm fell – well in excess of the 73 mm average. The all-time record is 162 mm.

INSIDE OUR NEXT ISSUE, OUT 31 OCTOBER!

Diplomacy

A CPH POST SPECIAL

LANGUAGE SCHOOL SUPPLEMENT!

2

LOCAL

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

11 - 31 October 2019

Bombings continue, but nobody injured yet

ONLINE THIS WEEK UNIVERSITY of Copenhagen lecturers have been advised to pay more attention when articulating gender to the students in their classes. An official email sent by the Department of Arts and Cultural Science urges the lecturers to take into account that there are students who are transgender or non-binary, reports TV2. However, the department later confirmed it was advice, not a set of rules.

Another stone thrown A STONE was thrown off an underpass overlooking the Øresund Motorway between exits 18 and 19. In 2017, 30 surveillance cameras were installed on bridges across the country to try to combat the number of incidents.

Queen’s security tightens

BEN HAMILTON

T

HERE HAVE been at least three more suspicious explosions in Greater Copenhagen since the bombs that destroyed the facades of the Skattestyrelsen HQ in Nordhavn and Nørrebro Police Station in August – in Vanløse, Brøndby and Amager.

None of the detonations injured anyone, and all of them took part in the early morning, outside a pizzeria, residential complex and Thai restaurant respectively on September 18, 20 and 24.

C

Editorial offices: International House, Gyldenløvesgade 11, 1600 Copenhagen Denmark

Founded in 1998

by San Shepherd All rights reserved.

Published by cphpost.dk ApS. Printed by Dansk Avistryk A/S

Best pizza slices

was apprehended at Copenhagen Airport after returning from Lebanon on September 17. An international warrant had been issued.

A 22-year-old Swedish accomplice, who police contend drove the bomber from Sweden, is also in custody.

Copenhagen hailed for balancing economic and technological aspects with humane dimensions

INTERNATIONAL travel site Big 7 Travel has ranked Madeinitaly at number 14 on a line-up of the world’s best 50 pizza slice producers.

BENNY Engelbrecht, the transport minister, wants to stop motorists from diving at extreme speeds across the Øresund Bridge and tunnel. This summer a motorist was clocked at driving at 220 km/h across the bridge – double the 110 km/h speed limit.

Swede apprehended MEANWHILE, a 23-yearold man from Sweden has been charged with detonating the bomb in Nordhavn after he

Huge police priority

One of the world’s smartest cities OPENHAGEN is one of the smartest cities on the planet, according to the latest 2019 Smart City Index, published by Swiss business school IMD. It ranked fifth overall behind Singapore, Zurich, Oslo and Geneva, while Auckland, Taipei City, Helsinki, Bilbao and Dusseldorf completed the top 10.

The index “focuses on how citizens perceive the scope and impact of efforts to make their cities ‘smart’, balancing ‘economic and technological aspects’ with ‘humane dimensions’”.

Speed a concern on bridge

Gang connection THE POLICE are confident the Vanløse bomb was related to the ongoing civil war between two factions of the Brothas gang in Indre Nørrebro/Nordvest (called NNV by some media) and Hunde/Greve, which produced a fatality in Ishøj on September 15 when a car was riddled with bullets.

Since the three bombs, officers in the capital have seized 5-10 kilos of industrial explosives following a series of gang-related raids.

IMD

IT WILL no longer be possible to drive a car through Amalienborg Palace Square, the residence of the Royal Family in Copenhagen, due to terror attack fears. The entrances will be blocked off by 120 cm bronze bollards from early next year.

Evidence mounting that warfare is gang-orchestrated

SIMON WEDEGE PETERSEN

Her, him, zer, zem

ONLINE THIS WEEK Swede charged A 24-YEAR-OLD Swede has been charged with being involved in the double murder in Herlev on June 25 – a shooting linked to a Stockholm gang feud. In other crime news, three youths aged 16, 16 and 19 have been charged with manslaughter in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 27-year-old man on the night of September 8 in Valby, which was not gang-related.

Slovakian can re-enter THE SUPREME Court has overturned city and high court verdicts to ban the Slovakian lawyer who last year attacked Josue Vasquez – the boyfriend of Konservative leader Søren Pape Poulsen – from entering Denmark.

Wall to return soon A 3.6 METRE-HIGH piece of the Berlin Wall can be viewed at BLOX from November 4 until March, at which point it will depart for its owner, Koldkrigsmuseum Langelandsfort.

Ski slope opens THE SKI slope at the Amager Bakke incinerator opened over the weekend with a three-day party. From early next year, CopenHill will also include the world’s highest climbing wall.

Sunshine everyday!

Big ‘No’ from Kim’s kin IN RELATED city news, City Hall has unveiled an ambitious policy to vastly improve the capital as a student city, which will include building 12,000 new student homes over the next 12 years. Østerbro is getting an up-

grade as part of the city’s new budget, although the work isn’t expected to begin until 2023.

And Kim Larsen’s family have turned down an offer from City Hall to name a small park in the Copenhagen area of Christianshavn after the deceased singer.

(CW)

New elephants in zoo THREE new elephants arrived at Copenhagen Zoo from Cologne on September @, taking the total up to seven. They are a 39-year-old female, Thia Ha Pyhu, her daughter Maha Kumari, and Maha’s two-year-old son, Jung Bul Kne.

To advertise – call 24 20 24 11 or email sales@cphpost.dk

Fredensborg is located in northeast Zealand

To tell us your story – call 93 93 92 01 or email news@cphpost.dk For all other inquiries – email info@cphpost.dk

Ejvind Sandal

Hans Hermansen

Ben Hamilton

Christian Wenande

Stephen Gadd

Hasse Ferrold

Tanya Vinogradova

CO-OWNER

CEO

EDITOR

NEWS/LAYOUT EDITOR

JOURNALIST

PHOTOGRAPHER

PHOTOGRAPHER

CRAZY CHRISTMAS 2019

GLASSALEN, TIVOLI 12. NOV 2019 - 11. JAN 2020

TICKETS: 3315 1001

|

TEATERBILLETTER.DK

|

BILLETLUGEN.DK

IT’S FUN FOR ALL - AND ALL FOR FUN IT’S THE THREE BREXITEERS

4 LOCAL The new transport line that redefines the city centre THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

11 - 31 October 2019

ALL PHOTOS BY EDWARD OWEN UNLESS STATED

HASSE FERROLD

EDWARD OWEN The long-awaited Metro City Ring finally opened on Sunday September 29. The completion of the 17-station line may have As the bell from City Hall Tower rang out at 13:00, a large crowd had gathered to fill the been behind schedule, but in a square, excitedly keeping an eye on the red carpet for the likes of Queen Margrethe, PM Mette fashion more typical of the Danes, Frederiksen, Copenhagen Mayor Frank Jensen and Frederiksberg Mayor Simon Aggesen celebrations began exactly on time.

M for Margrethe

M for Mette

If there was one guarantee (we haven’t had many of those over the last decade) it was that M for Majesty wasn’t going to get wet. She was safely walked from City Hall to a greenhouse from where she watched her subjects get soaked, although to be fair, most of them had done their homework, as when the heavens opened, so did a sea of umbrellas METRO COMPANY/MARIE HALD

But the masses were suitably entertained by an array of gymnasts and musicians. Combine the two and you’d have Men at Work. Actually, maybe that’s not a good idea

M for Mayor 1

M for Mayor 2

11 - 31 October 2019

LOCAL

METRO COMPANY/DITTE VALENTE

METRO COMPANY/DITTE VALENTE

5

If you thought the queen wasn’t going to beat you to try out the new Metro because she’s 79 years old and a heavy smoker, then think again. She was well ahead of the mad rush to proudly take a ride well ahead of the official opening at 16:00 METRO COMPANY/DITTE VALENTE

METRO COMPANY/DITTE VALENTE

But once the clock chimed four, you couldn’t hold them back. In fact, at Rådhuspladsen and several other stations, the authorities had to tell people to stop queuing due to the sheer volume. For many, it wasn’t until the mid-evening that they got a chance to try it out, and in total 127,000 passengers rode it on the first day CHRISTIAN WENANDE

METRO COMPANY/MARIE HALD

And it wasn’t just the queen opening stations, as Asger and Liv Just performed the honours Long-time French-Swedish resident Nicolas Fernstrom and his Swiss friend Marco Riva at Vibenshus Runddel, athough it might have helped that their German father Markus is an thought they had beaten the crowds on opening day, but it turns out they were a day too employee at Metroselskabet early

6

NATIONAL

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

ONLINE THIS WEEK

DR NORA Volkow, a US neuropsychiatrist and expert on alcohol research, is baffled that Danish 16-year-olds can drink beverages providing they do not have an alcohol percentage of over 16.5 percent. “The brain has not fully developed at that age,” she said at a recent symposium in Copenhagen.

Ever maturing mothers THE NUMBER of first-time mothers in their 40s has jumped over the last two decades, according to Danmarks Statistik. Some 2,345 women aged 40-44 gave birth to their first child in 2018 – a huge increase on 1998 when the number was less than half at 1,081. Meanwhile, the number of first-time mothers aged 45-49 has risen from 40 to 141. The average age of a first-time mother is 29.2.

MPs eye tobacco hike THERE is believed to be enough parliamentary support for a bill to raise the price of a pack of cigarettes from 40 to 50 kroner. In related news, the health authority has recommended that the public should avoid e-cigarettes following a large number of unexplained vaping-related deaths in the US.

Despairing of the traffic SOME 95 percent of Danes feel there is too much traffic in their local area, according to an Epinion survey carried out for Rådet for Sikker Trafik, which has been busy running inattention campaigns this past month. In related news, the zones in which trucks are banned from overtaking have been expanded from 230 to 500 km of motorway.

Hard to settle in DENMARK is the second hardest country to settle in among the 64 participant nations in Expat Insider 2019, a survey conducted by InterNations. The Danes finished in the bottom fifth of all four sub-categories: feeling at home (62), finding friends (64), friendliness (63) and language barriers (53). Additionally, it is the second worst for personal happiness for expats.

Budgetary boost for localities Municipalities and regions get an extra 3.7 billion kroner from state CHRISTIAN WENANDE

I

T IS WIN-WIN for the municipalities and regions following the election of the new Socialdemokratiet minority government, with respective supplements of 2.2 and 1.5 billion kroner on the table for them to share from 2020 onwards.

ers if an employee has been ill for over 30 days. In future that will be increased to 40 days.

The government wants to retain the 50,000 kroner limit on share savings accounts – a ceiling limit that the previous government wanted to increase to 200,000 kroner.

MICHAEL LEVIN/REALDANIA BY & BYG

Alcohol limit concerns

11 - 31 October 2019

Bridging the gap

More resources for police THE GOVERNMENT has outlined its own budget, and should it be approved it is good news for nurses (300 million kroner to recruit more), the police (an extra 1.2 billion kroner a year), green innovation (1 billion kroner), the tax authority (1.5 billion revamp) and welfare.

To help fund the changes, the government wants to increase tobacco prices (see story left), re-introduce the tax payable on employer-paid phone and internet, axe the previous government’s decision to reduce the tax that is payable when family-owned companies are inherited, and double the price of plastic bags and disposable products.

Additionally, the government also wants employers to pay more sick-day money. Currently, the state refunds sick-pay to employ-

An end to streamlining THE MUNICIPAL modernisation and streamlining program, which was ushered in by the previous government and cut 500 million kroner from municipal coffers every year, will be scrapped.

Another key aspect of the deal is laying out a foundation for the government’s forthcoming children’s plan, which involves establishing minimum limits on daycare institutions looking ahead to 2025. There are 9,554 daycare workers in Denmark – down from 18,173 ten years ago.

Copenhagen Municipality has wasted no time in setting out its budget, which aims to ensure more welfare and initiatives to help the city reach its goal of becoming the world’s first CO2-neutral capital by 2025.

Hourly parking rates and residential parking licences will shoot up considerably – especially for the most polluting cars – and more funding will be spent on improving cycling conditions.

Huge public surplus ACCORDING to Danmarks Statistik, the Danish public sector enjoyed its biggest surplus in 11 years in the second quarter of 2019.

The results were particularly boosted by increased tax income from pension savings that helped the state to generate a surplus of 17.2 billion kroner – the highest since just before the financial crisis hit in 2008 – and a surplus of 44 billion kroner is being forecast by the Finance Ministry for the whole year.

The result was bolstered by a near record high level of employment – the number of people on benefits is at its lowest level for over 30 years – while private consumption and car sales have been on the rise, which has led to more income for the state in terms of VAT and other taxes.

However, while Frederiksen and company will put their imprint on the future of Denmark, they will have to credit the recently-ousted Blue Bloc opposition for the improved financial situation of the public sector.

More going to efterskole

Vejle the fifth biggest

Firm on handshake rule

SOME 55 percent of tenth grade students (ages 15-16) went to efterskole in 2018 – a steep rise from 2011, when 42 percent opted to go to the boarding schools. Some 12 percent of ninth grade students also elected to go to an efterskole.

VEJLE in southeast Jutland has overtaken Esbjerg to become Denmark’s fifth biggest city.

With a population of 115,607, it has 124 more residents. Seven of the top ten most populated urban areas are in Jutland.

MATTIAS Tesfaye, the immigration and integration minister, has said the government has no plans to do away with the handshake requirement for new citizens. He told DR that the legislation needs to be tested out.

Fighting parking tickets

Expensive coffee

Insanely big fish

JUR NORDICA, a new startup firm, pledges to fight parking tickets on behalf of clients who feel the tickets have been unjustly given. Some 307,000 parking tickets were issued in Copenhagen last year. Jur Nordica tends to take a 40 percent commission.

ACCORDING to the 2019 Starbucks Index, Denmark is the most expensive country in the world to buy a coffee. A tall latte costs 41 kroner – nearly 30 kroner more expensive than Turkey. Sweden was the most affordable in the Nordics.

FISHERMEN from Gilleleje recently caught a bluefin tuna that weighed 280 kilos and measured 263 cm. Locals say it’s the biggest fish they’ve seen since 1971. The fish fetched around 35,000 kroner when it was sold in auction.

ONLINE THIS WEEK Tent camp to stay open THE JUSTICE minister, Nick Hækkerup, has confirmed that a hastily assembled tent camp built to house refugees in Vordingborg in southern Zealand will stay open despite being mostly unused since its installation in 2015.

One year for party rapist A MAN HAS received a one-year prison sentence for raping a woman in the bed of Ninna Hedeager Olsen, the Copenhagen deputy mayor for technology and the environment, where the prominent politician was also present, along with another woman. The 30-yearold man has appealed the verdict to the High Court.

Killed by their partners SOME 57 percent of the 536 women unlawfully killed between 1992 and 2016 died at the hands of their partner, according to an Aarhus University study. Men were killed by their partner just 79 times. However, 62 percent of the total 1,417 homicide victims over the period were male.

Waiting to be prosecuted THE PUBLIC prosecutors have 47,390 outstanding cases to bring to court, reports Berlingske. The lengthy wait is problematic as witness memories tend to fade with time. In 2016, just a year after the February 2015 Copenhagen Shootings, the number stood at 11,394.

MPs’ long educations OF THE country’s 175 MPs elected in Denmark, 47.4 percent had a long higher education (master’s or PhD), according to Danmarks Statistik figures – which is way above the national average of 10.2 percent. In related news, there is wide parliamentary backing to restructure MP pensions.

Bomber found at bridge DANISH Navy divers have found a submerged plane near Storebælt that is believed to be a WWII Lancaster bomber.

F-16 rebuffs Russian jet

7 Much improved for travel INTERNATIONAL

11 - 31 October 2019

ONLINE THIS WEEK

Busy month for PM A BUSY October began for PM Mette Frederiksen with her opening Parliament on October 1. She then met Irish and Italian counterparts Leo Varadkar and Sergio Mattarella on October 4 and 8, with plans to meet French President Emmanuel Macron later in the month. The Crown Prince Couple, meanwhile, have just returned from heading a business delegation to France where they met Macron and Prince Joachim.

Huge wall was planned SØREN Pind, the former minister of justice, has disclosed that the Venstre government considered the erection of a concrete wall with barbed wire near the German border to ward off illegal refugees. “Very precise plans were drawn up” in around 2015, documents his book – claims the then minister of immigration and integration, Inger Støjberg, has refused to confirm.

Well-placed to benefit DANISH research institutes and companies have been granted more than 1 billion euros from Horizon 2020, making the country the program’s second largest beneficiary of the EU research and innovation program.

Achim Steiner, the head of the UN Development Progamme, believes Denmark is uniquely equipped to cash in on a more climate-friendly planet.

Substantial aid to Syria DENMARK has donated 180 million kroner in humanitarian aid to UN-backed initiatives to help the plight of Syrian refugees – and an extra 50 million kroner to help stabilise the country, including 30 million for mine clearance.

Putin airs pipeline thoughts VLADIMIR Putin believes Denmark needs to think for itself in relation to the placement of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline along its maritime territory, which the Russian president said is going ahead regardless of the country’s acceptance. “Denmark is being subjected to strong pressure,” he told TASS. “Whether it will be able to demonstrate independence and sovereignty depends on itself.”

Opens more doors than most THE DANISH passport ranks sixth on Henley & Partners’ list of the world’s most advantageous. Trailing only Japan, Singapore, Germany, Finland and South Korea, the passport allows for visa-free access to 187 countries. Italy, Luxembourg, France, Sweden and Spain completed the top eleven.

The worst country was Afghanistan.

Mystery of the ‘Estonia’ FIVE DANES were among the 852 people who died aboard the ‘Estonia’, a ferry that sank in severe weather in the Baltic in September 1994 on its way from Tallinn to Stockholm, and now a new documentary series will seek to explain why. Only 147 people survived. The series will premiere on TV Norge in the autumn of 2020.

More funds to fight terror THE FOREIGN minister, Jeppe Kofod, has confirmed that Denmark will be dedicating more funds to tackling terrorism.

Of the 37 million kroner earmarked, most of it will go towards the Global Counterterrorism Forum’s efforts in African countries such as Ethiopia (14 million), Horn of Africa (9) and Mali (14).

Border control crackdown THE EU is finally cracking down on the likes of Denmark for operating temporary border controls. In 2016 and 17, Denmark argued that the controls were necessary to curb migration, and since then it has cited terrorism. But the European Parliament has voted to limit its powers. Austria, Germany, Sweden and Norway have also had dubious controls in operation.

Queen’s invite still open THE QUEEN has confirmed that her invitation to US President Donald Trump to pay a state visit still stands. “Cancellations happen,” she said. “We will have to see if it will happen later. I assume it will be him saying: 'Now I can make it', because the invitation still stands.” Trump confirmed on August 20 that he was cancelling a visit to Denmark from September 2-3.

New goals outlined DENMARK has made significant changes to its 2020 development strategy so that it focuses more on the climate, helping people in need in the developing world, and gender equality. Meanwhile, another new strategy aims to improve Danish and EU assistance to vulnerable countries that have endured conflict.

VISITCOPENHAGEN

A DANISH F-16 fighter jet decorated with the Danish flag ‘Dannebrog’ in honour of the flag’s recent 800-year celebration was deployed to rebuff a Russian spy plane near Danish airspace last week. The Danish Air Force subsequently released some stunning images from the undramatic encounter – an almost unprecedented move.

Although that is debatable, according to a former fan, Lonely Planet CHRISTIAN WENANDE

D

ENMARK is a much improved destination, according to the Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report compiled by the World Economic Forum, which ranks the country 21st – ten places higher than last year.

Esteemed company THE WEF scored Denmark particularly high for Information and Communication Technology Readiness and Air Transport Infrastructure.

The top ten were Spain, France, Germany, Japan, the US, the UK, Australia, Italy, Canada and Switzerland.

Copenhagen clogged up THE REPORT swiftly followed a warning from Lonely Planet that a “concentrated inflow of tourists clogging the heart of the city [of Copenhagen] is starting to put a strain on urban life”.

Cruise visitors are partly blamed

Earlier in the year, the travel guide named the Danish capital as the top city to visit in 2019.

Thomas Cook fallout IN RELATED news, the flights of around 1,400 holiday-bound Danes were cancelled following the bankruptcy of the Thomas Cook travel agency, which owns the prestigious Danish operator Spies. However, Spies remains afloat, and none of its customers have been left out of pocket.

And Villa Copenhagen, located in the old central post office building near Copenhagen Central Station, has been recommended by the London Evening Standard as a eco-friendly hotel to watch out for ahead of its opening next year.

8

SCIENCE

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

ONLINE THIS WEEK

LAST YEAR 97 people were infected with the potentially fatal, multi-resistant bacterium VRE. In related news, the e-coli bacterium has killed two children this year – in Copenhagen and Funen – and a new Statens Serum Institut study confirms that flu vaccinations really do improve the chances of pregnant women and their newborns avoiding the virus.

Fewer antibiotics GP ANTIBIOTIC prescriptions have fallen 28 percent since 2011, reports the Statens Serum Institut.

Last year there were 459 prescriptions per 1,000 inhabitants. In related news, antibiotic consumption by livestock has fallen for the fifth consecutive year, according to Danmap. Usage amongst pig farmers, which accounts for 75 percent of the total volume, fell by 5 percent last year.

End to oil extraction?

SF AND Radikale are pushing for an end to oil extraction from the Danish section of the North Sea – from 2050 if the state does not tender out any more drilling rights. In related news, Tyra, the largest oil and gas field in the area, is closing for three years. Some 21 billion kroner will be spent on replacing platforms that have sunk by six metres since 1984, generating 2,000 jobs in the process.

Longest Viking bridge LOCAL volunteers have finished building the world’s longest Viking bridge in the Great Vejleådal valley in Albertslund. They used Viking tools and techniques to complete the 700-metre-long structure.

Water cuts success A TRIAL involving the Sydhavn district of Copenhagen has shown that great water consumption cuts can be made without much change to daily life. In 2014, residents were challenged to cut their water consumption by 10 percent by 2020, and they achieved that goal in 2018.

Quitting e-sports for environmentalism

ONLINE THIS WEEK THE INTERNATIONAL

Bacteria threat

11 - 31 October 2019

One of the world’s top players intends to pack it in to become a “soldier for Mother Earth” CHRISTIAN WENANDE

H

E’S WON more prize money than any other eSports player in the world, but Johan 'N0tail' Sundstein has revealed he is prepared to give up his career for the sake of the climate.

New path in life THE 25-YEAR-OLD Dane with Faroese roots has earned close to 50 million kroner as one of the top Dota 2 gamers on the planet, but a dream to be an advocate for the environment has Sundstein eyeing a new path in life.

First, though, the Team OG captain has his sights set on a hat-trick of triumphs in The International – the top tournament for the strategy game Dota 2 – so environmentalism will have to wait until next year.

Sunstein: Dota 2 is fantasy, but this is reality

credentials are under heavy scrutiny – most particularly its claim that burning wood – its biggest source of green energy – is CO2 neutral.

A recent survey showed that close to 80 percent of Danes believed wind power was their country’s primary green energy source, but actually it is the burning of wood pellets chopped up from trees felled across the world and burned in power plants as biomass.

“I’ve always thought of Denmark as a country that works on facts. So it was very concerning for me to learn how much wood Denmark burns. It’s the equivalent of accounting fraud,” William Moomaw, a lead author on five UN reports for the UN Climate Panel, told TV2.

the climate fund Global Climate Facility (read more in this issue’s Diplomacy magazine).

Credentials under scrutiny SUNDSTEIN’S pledge comes at a time when Denmark’s green

Pension fund boost PERHAPS Moomaw will be won over by the news that Danish pension firms are investing an additional 350 billion kroner into Denmark’s green transition over the next decade – a “massive step”, according to PM Mette Frederiksen.

Additionally, Denmark is setting aside 150 million kroner to

Patents need protection IN OTHER news pertaining to the environment, a EU Intellectual Property Office report, which illustrates how important climate solutions have become to the union’s economic output, has prompted the Business Ministry to warn Danish companies in the sector that they must ensure their technology is effectively patented.

Danish wind turbines set a new record on Sunday September 15 when they produced d 130 percent of the national electricity consumption. Just ten years ago, a good day would have seen wind energy account for 20 percent.

The environment minister, Lea Wermelin, remains unconvinced that a ban on glyphosate, and therefore the withdrawal of the Round Up herbicide from Danish shops, is necessary, despite 29,000 Danish gardeners signing a petition. Glyphosate has been linked to causing cancer among humans.

Soda shortens your life

Croc tooth discovery

Large car prices to soar

A STUDY of the soda consumption habits of 450,000 Europeans, which included Danes, indicates that more than two glasses or cans a day makes you 17 percent more likely to die prematurely than those who rarely partake. In other research news, a study absolutely confirms that smoking cannabis lowers a man’s sperm count – by affecting formation, not just the cells after they have been created.

GEOMUSEUM Faxe has confirmed that an 11-year-old from Gentofte found the fossil of a prehistoric crocodile in Faxe Kalkbrud back in August – of a breed never before detected on Danish soil, although it might match bitemarks found on a turtle’s shell.

The museum’s expert ruled out the tooth belonging to a thoracosaurus, a fish-eating croc, asserting it had far more biting power.

AN AUDIT carried out by the consulting firm KPMG suggests that consumers face a sizeable price hike for the large petrol cars that so many favour these days. This might be just as well, as concerns have been raised that more families are acquiring second cars as more people avoid public transport.

Today there are over 2.6 million vehicles in the country, while bus and train journeys are in freefall.

If the world burns up “I FEEL that I owe so much. It would be a shame if the world burns up, because we will have failed so many generations” Sundstein told TV2.

“It’s a burden you can put on yourself and I feel it. It’s everyone’s responsibility. The plan is to jump into the battle. Throw myself into it and become a soldier for Mother Earth.”

Lucrative stitch-up A HANDHELD machine that can sew wounds together, which has been invented by two Aarhus students, will soon be released worldwide – to initially be used on animals. The students have signed a contract with US veterinary company Kruuse to release ‘Stitcher’ globally in 2021. A version that can be used on humans is expected in 2023.

Drastic plastic findings DANISH plastic waste has been found in Malaysia, according to a new TV2 documentary. It is believed it is from waste sent to Germany for recycling. In related news, 57,000 school children representing 92 of Denmark’s 98 municipalities have been taking part in Masseekperimentet, an initiative to tackle plastic pollution in water.

Organic recognition DENMARK has been named ‘Country of the Year’ by the Nordic Organic Food Fair – a sustainable living event, scheduled to take place at the MalmöMässan event centre in Malmö, Sweden from November 13-14.

Whooping cough epidemic THE STATENS Serum Institut has declared a whooping cough epidemic, as there are more than three times the normal number of cases expected in Denmark. Some 351 people were diagnosed in August, continuing the upward trend of 2019 in which 1,323 cases were documented over the first eight months – including 137 infants, who are the most at-risk group.

Civilian rocket ban likely THE GOVERNMENT looks set to ban large civilian rocket launches like the ones carried out

by Copenhagen Suborbitals, as a commissioned report “was unable to identify areas in Denmark where major launch activities can occur without compromising/potential endangering maritime traffic and airspace traffic”. The safety of the human population was also cited.

COVER

11 - 31 October 2019

9

'Any way the wind blows' – if only that was true in Copenhagen ROSELYNE MIN

A

S FAR AS complaints go in Copenhagen, it’s right up there with “You’re killing the hygge”.

Why, oh why, oh why does it feel like we’re cycling into the wind on our way to work, and then cycling into the wind on her way back?

Are we always cycling into the wind, or is it just a false impression?

No. We do not always cycle into the wind. But it’s not totally a false impression. It is fairly easy to feel like that because most people will have ‘something’ against them.

It’s because we bike faster than the typical inland wind speed in Denmark. Commuters bike on average at 20 km/h and the wind blows at 18km/h, 1.5 metres above the ground. Therefore, more often than not you face a headwind rather than a tailwind, resulting in wind resistance instead of a push. So if you bike at 25km/h and the relative wind is 4m/s (14.4 km/h), you are faster, so the wind is against you in both directions.

Is the wind resistance always dominant?

There are different factors that interrupt biking, depending on your speed. If the bike speed is fast enough, the bike is mainly affected by the wind resistance, but if the bike goes slow, there would be other resistances, for example, the rolling resistance of the wheels. In fact, the wind resistance increases in correspondence to the square of the along-track relative wind speed. So if you double the wind speed, the resistance becomes four times bigger. This means that even small changes may cause a considerable impact on the power needed to maintain a certain bike speed. For instance, a very modest change from 20 to 22 km/h leads to 21 percent more

Blowing in the wind WELL, we’ve had enough at the wind-swept CPH POST offices, which are located just around the corner from the always blustery Copenhagen Lakes.

Given that September and October are the windiest months in Denmark – although the storm season tends to come a little later in the year – we thought there was no time like the present to consult an expert on all matters wind.

wind resistance – but of course this doesn’t necessarily mean you need to make 21 percent more effort.

Does the wind direction change twice a day exactly when people leave home and get back?

The answer is again: No. As we move faster than the wind, we may feel it’s coming into our face, but that can happen no matter which direction the relative wind is blowing – except the crosswind that comes from the side.

In fact, the crosswind does not cause wind resistance nor slow you down. But it can be hard for you to keep your balance.

If not twice a day, how often does the wind direction change?

The wind direction usually changes gradually, and the same direction may remain for several days in a row. Although moderate changes are often seen, large changes from east to west or north to south in just one day are uncommon.

It often makes me sweat a lot to bike in wintertime, so I often wear a baggy sweater to both keep the heat and ventilate. What outfit would you recommend?

It’s always recommended to be as slim and smooth as possible.

The smaller your area against the wind the less resistance is.

The clothes should be tight as well, since loose outfits can easily increase the resistance. It’s better to take off your jacket than having it open. Big sweaters that

DMI’s finest HENRIK Vedel is a senior scientist at the Danmarks Meteorologiske Institute (DMI), the national weather forecaster, who describes himself as “maybe not the best wind expert, but the most fanatical biker at DMI”.

He commutes by bike every day, travelling over 20 km, and he even has a small computer attached to the bike for scientific purposes.

He has to be the man with the answer to that eternal question.

let in air are the worst choice!

Does that mean that it is easier to cycle if you are small, and that bigger people have more difficulties?

In a controlled condition, the answer is yes, because smaller people experience less wind resistance. But in general they are also less strong.

In typical flat-land situations, larger and stronger bikers will have a benefit against the wind.

I commute to Central Copenhagen by bike and it’s less windy as I get surrounded by the buildings. Do buildings in Copenhagen somehow lessen the impact of the wind?

In general, obstacles reduce wind speed. For example, it’s lower in the forest than in a field, and more in the sea than on land. This is because of the so-called ‘roughness length’. In general, buildings also reduce wind speed. However, depending on the wind direction, large buildings can locally redirect the wind, either creating a lee, or speeding up the wind.

If obstacles reduce the wind speed, does that explain why we feel more wind in this flat country?

Yes. Since Denmark has a lot of open fields and coasts, we feel the effect of the wind more. We have many fields with relatively low vegetation like wheat. We also have a lot of coasts: if you are at a coast where you have the wind coming in from the sea you will always have more

FLICKR/GARY KNIGHT

DMI’s finest sets the record straight on why cyclists always seem to be struggling into a force 12 hurricane at this time of year

Poppins would come and go five times a day in Denmark

wind. In western Jutland this effect is very strong because the westerly wind is dominant.

I find it easier to bike in the city.

Why is that?

It may be because the other commuters protect you from the strong wind resistance. When the relative wind speed is fast enough that the wind resistance is dominant, having other commuters as a lee helps you a lot with the amplified resistance. This is why racing bikes always go in line.

The faster the relative wind is, the better the effect is – hide behind the other commuters when the wind is too strong!

Why is the Danish wind so gusty?

It’s quite different from day to day. Some days can be gustier than other days, depending on the weather fronts. On the days when the warm front passes, the wind is relatively stable. And the cold front comes afterwards, when you typically have showers and the wind becomes gustier. It’s more irritating to bike because you need to adjust to the force. And if it’s in town, gusts in different directions can make it more difficult for you to keep your balance.

When the wind passes fast over a building it creates turbulence, and sometimes this turbulence can bring down air parcels from aloft where the wind speed is higher, resulting in a strong wind gust.

On a windy day, but not during a storm, our editor’s cargo

bike got caught by a gust right next to Copenhagen’s Lakes and ended up being flipped over.

What do you think happened?

It could be an example of turbulence bringing down a very fast-moving air parcel from aloft – more quickly than he could react to. Or possibly also a redirection of the wind by a building.

Sometimes I’m scared to bike if it’s too windy. Has the wind ever caused any serious accidents in Denmark?

In the old days, there were of course some accidents like deaths from floods or blackouts due to fallen trees bringing down power lines. Nowadays, storms and hurricanes in general rarely cause casualties. Also, the authorities take care of it. An important part of the work of the Danish preparedness authority, Beredskabet, is to warn you and provide evacuation, if necessary, should the sea level rise above what the dikes can withstand. However, using hand-held smartphones while cycling is more dangerous than the wind. In contrast to the wind, we can easily do something about it. Please do so!

Henrik Vedel

10 CULTURE

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

11 - 31 October 2019

That’s what you call a killing!

ONLINE THIS WEEK

FLICKR/AIMEE RIVERS

Queen wins nod

Three local TV series account for 75 percent of non-English entries in Guardian top 100

‘DRONNINGEN’ (‘Queen of Hearts’) is the Danish representative in this year’s Best Foreign Language Film category at the Oscars. The Academy will release a nine-film shortlist in December, and then the final five nominees will be confirmed in January.

BEN HAMILTON

I

T’S NOT like we needed any more evidence that the British newspaper The Guardian loves Denmark – but this is ridiculous.

The Guardian list ‘The 100 best TV shows of the 21st century’ is made up of 96 Anglophone shows … and 2.5 Danish productions.

It’s two and a half because one of the series is the Swedish-Danish collaboration ‘Bron’/‘Broen’ (‘The Bridge’) in 45th place.

Volbeat win media case THE COMPETITION and consumer authority has found in favour of Danish rock band Volbeat after it refused to accredit tabloid Ekstra Bladet and magazine Devilution to freely attend its 2017 Parken concert and review it. Nine media outlets showed solidarity by refusing to review the concert.

If the Guardian did knighthoods ... or even knithoods

grandfather of slow-burning series.

‘The Sopranos’, ‘The Wire’, ‘Mad Men’, ‘The Thick of It’ and ‘Breaking Bad’ took the top five places.

NUKÂKA, the Greenlandic wife of ‘Game of Thrones’ actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, is among the cast for a new Nordic series about climate change, ‘Tynd is’ (‘Thin Ice’). Meanwhile, her husband has been making a documentary in the Peruvian section of the Amazon Rainforest to discover the true story behind the fires that have ravaged the area.

Homage to ‘Twin Peaks’ TWENTY-THREE places further up the ladder is the slow-burner ‘Forbrydelsen’ (‘The Killing’) at number 22, with political intrigue series ‘Borgen’ back in 67th.

Søren Sveistrup, the chief screenwriter on ‘Forbrydelsen’, told DR he was happy with the result, taking the opportunity to pay homage to his all-time favourite, ‘Twin Peaks’, the

Hans at number one THE GUARDIAN has also been compiling other cultural top 100s, including best music album (‘Back to Black’ by Amy Winehouse) and best music composition – and blow us all down again, but it’s only been won by a Dane.

‘Let Me Tell You’, a 2013 song written by Lyngby-based composer Hans Abrahamsen, was inspired by the character of Ophelia in ‘Hamlet’ and to this date Canadian soprano Barbara Hannigan is the only performer

CPH English Comedy Night

Paolo Russo and friends

The Barber of Seville

Kingslayer’s wife’s role

Another Netflix series IN OTHER TV news, a new six-part Danish-language supernatural thriller series, ‘Equinox’, has been green-lit by Netflix with a budget that is expected to be similar to its first original Danish series, ‘The Rain’.

Apple’s new streaming service will be available in Denmark from November 1 – for a cost of 39 kroner a month. It is expected to have a small back catalogue.

The Clean House

THE ROSKILDE Festival has recruited Taylor Swift as its first headliner for its 2020 edition.

In related news, NorthSide has announced Green Day, Mew and Lukas Graham as its first headliners, Celine Dion is playing at Royal Arena on August 31 and September 1 next year, and young British talent Freya Ridings is performing at Vega on February 10.

English at last!

COMEDY Zoo orgainsed its first ever English-only open mic this Sunday. One performer, Adrian Mackinder, recalled to CPH POST how Zoo told him “all their comedy was in Danish” when he enquired about performing three years ago.

Nolan shooting in Lolland BRITISH director Christopher Nolan recently shot scenes in Lolland for his espionage/time travel thriller ‘Tenet’, which is scheduled to premiere in Denmark on 16 July 2020. In related news, ‘Sideways’ director Alexander Payne has cast Mads Mikkelsen to play a Danish journalist in his next film, a road movie set in the US.

COMEDY

JB FACEBOOK PAGE

THEATRE

Taylor Swift at Roskilde

Jefferson Bond INTERNATIONAL THEATRE

OPERA

to have ever sung it.

“The vocals are surprisingly well written. It’s hard to believe that this was Abrahamsen’s first large-scale song-work,” reasoned the newspaper, which also praised the 66-year-old’s 2008 work ‘Schnee’ as another song that could have topped the list.

MIKLOS SZABO

CONCERT

PAOLO RUSSO

HASSE FERROLD

COMEDY

ONLINE THIS WEEK

«««««¶

««««««

««««««

«««««¶

««««¶¶

COPENHAGEN English Comedy Night and organiser Joe Eagan, we salute your longevity! There aren’t many monthly events that have stayed the course this past decade. At around 100 kroner a ticket, you’re excellent value for money compared to most live entertainment in the city. For that, you get four comedians – three guest performers and the host – and you can expect in excess of two hours of comedy. And while the very nature of stand-up means the performances might be variable, it was clear by the reaction to the September edition that there’s something for everyone. (BH)

POP SONGS aren’t a metaphor for life. Many start slowly – which is true of most toddlers’ perception of the world – but by the time they hit their second verse, it’s conformity all the way. The music of Italian pianist, bandoneonist and composer Paolo Russo doesn’t play by these rules. Every song is played out like a life. Joyous, sad, fast, slow, haphazard, and only occasionally routine, they do not need lyrics. They celebrate humanity – all its triumphs, tribulations, frailties and failures – and at Jazzhus Montmatre, Russo took us on an odyssey of tempestuous interpretation. (BH)

IN MARTIN Lyngbo’s production of Rossini’s much-loved opera, ‘Seville’ looks a lot like 1920s New York as depicted in the world of silent cinema. The physical comedy and characters are suggestive of early film – there’s even a barber who is a clear homage to Chaplin. Colour in Rikke Juellund’s set is subdued throughout, and at times the clever lighting makes the set fade to a filmic black and white, while the lettering of the supertitles is suggestive of silent movies’ intertitles. The production works on all levels, impressing as a first-rate comedy throughout. (BG)

DID YOU know it’s possible to literally die of laughing too hard?

I nearly did at the House of International Theatre’s production, Sarah Ruhl’s ‘The Clean House’, which ran until October 6 at Krudttønden – uncontrollably with tears in my eyes, as a wonderful cast gave life to this tale of a Brazilian comedian (Isabel Escudero Zorde) who moves to America to pursue her dream of a career as a comedian. With Vanessa Poole and Jana Pulkrabek on song, this was a brilliant ensemble cast, who were superbly directed

by Jeremy Thomas-Poulsen. And the staging was to die for. (EN)

AS JEFFERSON Bond told the Huset-KBH audience: “I’m half-English and half-Irish, which means half of myself think I’m better than anyone for no reason, while the other half think I’m the worst.” The deprecating rhetoric towards himself and his own culture instantly drew a strong response, and he knew out to play with the audience, gently pulling their legs. Nevertheless, some of his anecdotes were a little hackneyed (from meeting his girlfriend’s parents to his annoying little brother), like he was fleshing out the show so it could be justified as a whole evening’s experience. (RM)

READ THE REST OF THESE REVIEWS AT CPHPOST.DK

11 Saluting the world champ SPORT

11 - 31 October 2019

ONLINE THIS WEEK 2020 bound Wozzie misses China final

DENMARK face Switzerland at home on Saturday, knowing that defeat in the Euro 2020 qualifier would severely dent their chances of making the finals. Currently two points behind Ireland, the Danes are just a point ahead of the Swiss, who have a game in hand. Parken is sold out for the clash.

FOLLOWING her semi-final loss to Naomi Osaka at the China Open, Caroline Wozniacki still hasn't won a tournament in 2019. Adding insult to injury, the Dane dropped out of the top 20 for the first time in three years. But despite retirement rumours, Wozniacki looks set to keep going next year as she has confirmed she will take part in the 2020 Australia Open.

New Firm joy at last BRØNDBY beat FC Copenhagen 3-1 in the New Firm on October 6, ending a run of four defeats in the derby.

Meanwhile, FCK are top of their Europa League group after beating Swiss side Lugano 1-0 at home and drawing away in Malmö. Next up is Dynamo Kiev away on October 24.

Not expecting much JUST 10 months before the 2020 Olympic Games kick off in Tokyo, the Danish athletics federation DIF has come up with a reserved prediction for Denmark’s expected medal count. Citing dwindling hopes in sailing, badminton and rowing, the DIF experts have written off any hopes of matching the 15 medals won in Rio.

Towers lose out THE VEJLE-BASED American football club Triangle Razorbacks won the Mermaid Bowl at Gladsaxe Stadium on October 5, denying the Copenhagen Towers a third consecutive title, whilst also matching their overall haul of eight.

Their 20-14 win saw Razorbacks running back Niko LeVahn Lester named MVP.

Out of the closet GAY WOMEN’S football star Pernille Harder has praised Rungsted Seier Capital netminder Jon Lee-Olsen for becoming the first Danish ice hockey player to come out of the closet. Lee-Olsen revealed all on the live TV2 show ‘Go’ aften live’ on October 3. According to TV2, only two other ice hockey players in the world have come out during their active careers.

Watch drama at Nice KASPER Dolberg was at the centre of considerable drama at his club Nice recently, but not for his goals. Lamine Diaby Fadiga, a promising Nice youngster with several French under-18 caps, has been sacked after admitting that he had stolen Dolberg’s 500,000 kroner watch.

Dolberg, meanwhile, has scored two goals in five league games since moving from Ajax this summer.

DBU supports UEFA THE DBU supports UEFA’s decision to boycott games in countries where women don’t have access to stadiums. Recently a Iranian woman set fire to herself and died on September 2 after being arrested for dressing up as a man to watch her favourite team Esteghlal play. Iran will introduce a female-only seating area at its next World Cup qualifier on October 10.

Epic swim EXTREME swimmer Lars Simonsen has completed an epic swim around the Danish coastline. Swimming for seven months and ten days, Simonsen has become the first person to ever complete the journey of 1,370 km. Simonsen struggled to cover 15 metres when training first began. In total, the coastline measures 8,750 km when every single inlet and island is taken into account.

YORKSHIRE 2019

Big game for Denmark

Mads Pedersen’s triumph endorsed by Bradley, Freddie and a pancake welcome CHRISTIAN WENANDE

T

HE 2012 TOUR de France winner Bradley Wiggins hailed it as the biggest shock in 16 years at the UCI Road World Championship.

Crown Prince Frederik might not have heard of the winning cyclist, but he promptly pulled out his mobile to offer his congratulations.

And Copenhagen City Hall started mixing some pancakes – a surefire sign that Denmark has another stunning sporting achievement to celebrate.

Rainbow warrior MAKE NO mistake about it: Mads Pedersen, 23, wrote himself into the record books when he powered away from a breakaway group of three in the final 200 metres to win the world championship elite men’s road race in Yorkshire, England on September 29.

Not only did he become the first Dan-

An unexpected victory

ish man to become a world champion – Amalie Dideriksen won a world title in 2016 – but he will get to wear the coveted rainbow jersey for a year.

Meanwhile, team-mates Michael Valgren and Jakob Fuglsang finished sixth and 12th, and at the same championship, 20-year-old Mikkel Bjerg won his third world title in a row in the time trial in the under-23 category.

Olesen’s next court date THORBJØRN Olesen is maintaining his innocence in connection with violence and sexual assault charges, which he claims were the result of his medication.

The golfer was arrested upon arrival at London Heathrow on July 29 after an incident on his flight from Memphis, and he is due to attend a hearing in the UK on December 13.

World record in capital A NEW WORLD record was set at the Copenhagen Half Marathon on September 15. Geoffrey Kamworor of Kenya completed the circuit in 57 minutes and 59 seconds, smashing the previous world record of 58 minutes, 18 seconds.

Tennis starlet shines CLARA Tauson has made a huge jump up the world tennis rankings following victory in the final of the ITF women’s singles in Israel. The victory landed Tauson 80 points and saw her moved up 67 places to number 235.

A COMMUNITY OF REAL PEOPLE GROWING IN GOD SUNDAYS TOGETHER SUNDAYS 12:00

LEVENDE KIRKE FEMAGERVEJ 39, HVIDOVRE www.facebook.com/levendekirke www.levendekirke.com

12 BUSINESS

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

ONLINE THIS WEEK

A RECORD 2.9 million passengers passed through Copenhagen Airport in August. However, its domestic flight passenger numbers have fallen by 7 percent since last year – mainly due to green concerns. In other news, Air Transat is opening a regular route from Copenhagen to Montreal from next June, while Air Canada is expanding its service to Toronto with the inclusion of a 450-seater Boeing 777-300ER – a behemoth nearly as big as Emirates’ Airbus A380-800.

High returns THREE executives at medicinal cannabis firm Møllerup Estate have hit the jackpot by investing in a Canadian rival. They spent 33 million kroner on shares that they then sold for 252 million kroner. In other share news, Novo Nordisk has hit a three-year high following the US Food and Drug Administration’s approval of its new diabetes pill.

Rude discovery YOUSEE customers are up in arms following the news they will lose 11 Discovery channels from the beginning of next year.

According to a YouGov survey, around 15 percent of the 1.2 million households will want to cancel their subscriptions.

3F’s feast in the east MORE EASTERN European workers are enlisting with Denmark’s largest trade union, 3F. The union now has 4,389 members from eastern European countries, particularly Ukraine, which is double the number it had in 2016. 3F attributes the rise to publishing leaflets in 14 languages, forming networks and Facebook groups, and working with embassies.

Still optimistic BANG & Olufsen has confirmed a 30.3 percent dip in Q1 revenue to 419 million kroner. However, the electronic goods manufacturer is optimistic about the launch of some new products and still forecasting healthy year-end revenue.

Economic report: versatile but vulnerable Despite Denmark’s fourth place on the IMD World Competitiveness Center ranking, business experts are predicting an imminent downturn

D

ENMARK has again been ranked fourth on the IMD World Competitiveness Center ranking, an annual list first compiled in 1989 that is widely acknowledged as the leading annual assessment of the world’s leading 63 economies.

The ranking takes into account three key factors: Knowledge (the capacity to understand and learn new technologies), Technology (competence to develop new digital innovations) and Future Readiness (preparedness for coming developments).

Denmark placed second for Future Readiness, sixth for Knowledge and 11th for Technology. Its strongest performances came in two of the subcategories – Adaptive Attitudes and IT Integration – for which it ranked first.

The top five on the list – USA, Singapore, Sweden, Denmark and Switzerland – were all unchanged, while the Netherland and Hong Kong SAR both jumped three places to sixth and eighth respectively, with Norway slipping three places to ninth.

ONLINE THIS WEEK PIXABAY

Record month at airport

11 - 31 October 2019

Competitive, but optimism is cautious

holt told TV2.

The chamber of commerce, Dansk Erhverv, predicts the stagnation will kick in this year, while construction association Dansk Byggeri is also preparing for a downturn – particularly in line with how the economies of Sweden, Germany and the UK, Denmark’s closest trading partners, have flatlined of late.

Meanwhile, the high street has never been quieter, with 800,000 sqm of retail space lying empty, according to EjendomDanmark figures released by the EDC housing agency.

Experts blame consumers for wanting more experience when they shop – principally eating, drinking and entertainment – and the municipalities for depopulating town and city centres by relocating schools and public institutions.

products, fish and biscuits – look to be the hardest hit,” warns Peter Thagesen, the head of international market policy at Dansk Industri.

Thagesen fears the transatlantic co-operation will only continue to deteriorate, particularly given that there is a risk of further tariffs in the pipeline for cars and car parts from the EU in the near future.

Stagnating economy NEVERTHELESS, despite Denmark’s strong standing, economists are predicting a downturn over the next year. “In 2020 the upswing will completely stagnate,” Jyske Bank head economist Niels Røn-

Trade war fallout US PRESIDENT Donald Trump isn’t helping with his trade war with China, and now he has levelled trade tariffs on European goods worth an estimated 51 billion kroner, which puts 700 million kroner's worth of Danish exports in the firing line.

Food products – such as dairy

Food success in China BUT THERE has been some good news, as the Danish food sector looks to have scored a massive result thanks to the food minister, Mogens Jensen, spearheading a delegation to China.

He opened a 17,000 sqm Danish Crown factory – located about 100 km away from Shanghai in Pinghu – which with 14,000 tonnes every year is expected to significantly increase the production of Danish pork in the Chinese market.

Jensen held talks with China’s deputy minister of agriculture regarding increasing the sale of Danish organic food products on the Chinese market.

An agreement is expected soon that will include China accepting the Danish organic food control label – an extremely lucrative stamp of approval. (CPH POST)

Hearing aid firm hacked

Lego still number one

Facebook centre opens

HEARING aid company Demant was hit by hackers on September 3 at a cost of 550 million kroner in lost sales. The attack targeted the company's servers and systems. Meanwhile, in other crime news, Skattestyrelsen claims that Nordea oversaw an illegal reimbursement of 894 million kroner in dividend tax to a Canadian pension fund, Hoopp, between 2012 and 2015.

LEGO REMAINS Denmark’s most valuable brand, according to Brand Finance, but Maersk is catching up, rising four places to number two. Meanwhile, the owners of Lego, which was the only Danish company to make the Nordic top ten (at number six), the Kirk Kristiansen family, remain the country’s richest people with a fortune of 186 billion kroner – up 37.8 percent on last year.

FACEBOOK last month opened its new 400 million kroner data centre in Odense – several months ahead of schedule. Three of the four server halls at the centre, which uses green power produced in Norway, are already in operation. Its surplus heat warms 7,000 nearby homes. In related news, Google is investing in five solar parks in connection with the data centre it is building in Fredericia.

Depression discrimination PATIENTS with depression are paying extra for their loans at six of the country’s biggest banks, reports DR. Djurslands Bank is accused of raising the interest rate on a woman’s loan from 8 to 11.25 percent when it found out she was on antidepressants. The Ligebehandlingsnævnet equal treatment board is due to make a ruling on whether the higher charges are discriminatory.

Banker found dead AIVAR Rehe, who oversaw Danske Bank’s operations in Estonia from 2006-2015, has been found dead in his garden. It is presumed he killed himself. During Rehe’s tenure, 1.5 trillion kroner was funnelled through the branch on behalf of foreign clients.

Inroads in Nigeria ARLA IS developing a sustainable dairy industry in Nigeria, where it will process the milk of 1,000 nomadic dairy farmers who have been given permanent land by the government. The current dairy industry caters to 10 percent of the country's milk needs.

China loses postal perks CHINESE companies will from 2020 have to pay around 50 percent more for freight. Last year they spent comparatively little on sending 16 million shipments to customers in Denmark, leaving local distributor PostNord struggling to cover its costs. Meanwhile, PostNord and Netto have launched a new food delivery service called Fillop.

Wind energy lay-offs WIND TURBINE maker Siemens Gamesa has laid off 600 employees in Denmark, while its rival Vestas has announced 90 redundancies, with a further 500 in Germany. In related news, the Salling Group is laying off 200 admin workers, but will re-employ some of them in newly-defined roles.

11 - 31 October 2019

Daniel is the managing director of Nordeq Management (nordeqmanagement.com), managing cross-border investment projects with a focus on international corporate and tax law issues. Educated as a lawyer, Daniel also teaches in the International Business and Global Economics department at DIS Copenhagen. Daniel is passionate about mindfulness as a means of personal transformation.

M

Y LAST column on these pages was written prior to the Danish General Election that took place this June, and at the time I was concerned as to the extent to which the extreme rhetoric concerning immigration would dominate debate at the expense of the climate crisis.

These concerns proved to be unfounded, and we now have one of the most ambitious governments anywhere in the world with regards to targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Serious concerns DESPITE the wave of green optimism that resulted from the vote, there remain serious concerns about how the government will develop an agenda to achieve a 70 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2030.

There are no concrete plans with

GARETH GARVEY UK-DK TRADE Gareth (gareth@bccd.dk), who has a passion for creativity and innovation in business, has been the CEO of the British Chamber of Commerce in Denmark since the start of 2017. Gareth has a background in management consultancy working for Price Waterhouse, PwC Consulting and IBM, and he also teaches at Copenhagen Business School.

NEXT ISSUE

The Valley of Life

Danish Capital in 2019

Private failings THE ISSUE of ambition versus evidence was also evident at the Børsen 2019 Sustainability Conference in early October 2019. The vast majority of carbon emissions come from the private sector – with 100 companies responsible for 70 percent of global emissions according to the Carbon Majors Report from the Carbon Disclosure Project.

Whilst it is therefore heartenported £6.8 billion worth of goods and services from the UK and exported £7.9 billion to the UK. That is 123 billion kroner’s worth of trade between the two countries. Added to this, both countries have large foreign direct investments in each other.

We will hopefully have some clarity soon but there are still several possible short-term outcomes including a No Deal at the end of October, a UK general election, an extension of the Article 50 deadline etc, etc.

Some clarity soon HOWEVER, in the daily discussions about deals, no deals and backstops, it is easy to forget that Denmark and the UK are important trade partners.

According to official UK sources, in 2018 Demark im-

Some good news …

THE GOOD news is that the governments of both Denmark and the UK have been working to cover to all the possibilities and trying to prevent major problems for individuals and companies.

The UK government has implemented the settled status scheme

IN 2 ISSUES

IN 3 ISSUES

We're Welcome – Honest!

Economics Explained

Global Denmark

Suddenly, the Titanic’s odds look quite good

ing to hear companies such as Novozymes, Mærsk, SAS and others outline their ambitious plans for reaching 70 percent reduction targets, these plans are incomplete and based more on aspiration than a plan of action.

Action before pessimism YET THERE are grounds for optimism. Chr Hansen, the Danish bioscience company, was recently named ‘The Most Sustainable Company in the World’ at the World Economic Forum.

Denmark is also leading the pack with regards to the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

There is understandably a degree of cynicism with regards to both public and private measures to tackle climate change. Nevertheless, negativity with regards to the challenges will not help.

As a colleague of mine said at the Børsen Conference: “The time for pessimism is over.” Now is the time for action.

PIXABAY

A

RE WE NEARLY there yet?” is something you might expect from frustrated children in the back seat of a car on a long journey. Today it is a question increasingly being asked by businesses.

Depending on your point of view and background you can see the current Brexit situation as frustrating, entertaining or just boring. The change of prime minister in the UK has certainly added a new dimension or two and given journalists plenty to speculate and write about.

regard to achieving this target.

At the same time, an IPCC Special Report on Global Warming released to coincide with the UN Climate Action Summit describes a 50/50 chance of meeting the 1.5 percent temperature rise compared to pre-industrial levels, and only a 10 percent chance based on currently announced measures to tackle climate change.

The odds are not in our favour.

13

PIXABAY

DANIEL K REECE MIND OVER MANAGING

BUSINESS OPINION

No Deal ... at least we get to keep the car

for EU nationals living and working in the UK and issued hundreds of guidelines to help citizens and business prepare themselves.

The Danish government has passed the Brexit Act that seeks to mitigate the most serious consequences of a No Deal-scenario and gives assurances to Brits living here.

Also, there is now more clarity, and some relief, around the tariffs that would apply following a No Deal.

Grounds for optimism IT IS TEMPTING for all of us

with a UK interest to be obsessed about what will happen in the next few weeks. We need to remind ourselves that trade between Denmark and the UK will continue to be important, and that we should still be working to benefit from the many business opportunities that exist between our countries.

BCCD is always happy to be contacted about Brexit or general business questions. If we don’t have the answer, we will try to point you in the right direction.

Are we nearly there yet? I hope so.

IN 4 ISSUES

IN 5 ISSUES

Startup Community

Union Views

Fit For Business

Give Yourself a Chance

14 OPINION

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

11 - 31 October 2019

Looking forwards, not backwards

O

Weakened opposition SO FAR, the PM has been met with few disturbances. Her biggest potential opposition, Venstre, has been entangled in a mess, as powers within the blue party sought to persuade the former PM Lars Løkke Rasmussen to step down.

The election of a new leadership team duly took place, and in Ellemann-Jensen the party has a familiar name back in charge. Jacob, who is the son of former V leader Uffe, will now attempt to spearhead the blue parties for what they are worth.

Long list of non-crises WHEN THE new PM in her opening address at Parliament medntioned included a number of “crises”, it was almost a misuse of the word.

Immigrants provide some problems, but generally a lot of them are becoming integrated into the workforce, with only a few refugees reaching our shores and asking for asylum. A crisis? No.

Gangs are making a lot of noise, and even some gunfire, but that cannot come to an end until a practical way of handling cannabis is introduced. Too much of the police force is occupied in futile attempts to control this, but when the PM sees what tax revenue cannabis can generate, then maybe we can stop the painful actions on Pusher Street. A crisis? No. Maybe the PM can simultaneously stop wasting police resources on border control and help them catch criminals instead. But is this a crisis? No. We are building a completely new hospital system – one that’s state of the art. It may give us some trouble, but it’s not a crisis.

Only climate and tax CLIMATE? Well yes, it will have to be dealt with. The reduction of carbon dioxide emissions to 70 percent in a few decades may not be possible, but there’s no crisis now. That’ll be a dog fight when the bill is written – for now, everybody is collecting plastic waste, and we may have to live without plastic bags and straws.

Don’t even mention the tax mess! That may be a sort of crisis, but it is a practical one for practical people to solve – no politician dares to interfere.

The first draft of the budget law for 2020 is here, and when all the wishes cannot be met, then we will see how far the agreement of understanding will bring the PM. Looking forward, we may have to learn to anticipate years with only small, incremental pieces of legislation. As for the crises, we will deal with them when we see them.

Mishra’s Mishmash As a regular contributor to the Times of India, the country’s largest newspaper, Mishra is often soughtafter by Danish media and academia to provide expertise on Asian-related matters, human rights issues and democratisation. He has spent half his life in India and the other half in Denmark and Sweden.

O

MRUTYUANJAI MISHRA

N CONSTITUTION Day the picture changed with control switching to Socialdemokratiet. It took several weeks, but its leader Mette Frederiksen was confirmed as PM and permitted to form a minority government after an understanding was forged between the red political parties.

Usually, a government is backed by other parties by a written political strategy, which contains shared goals and a promise to stand together against the opposition.

An agreement of understanding, on the other hand, is more a list of issues submitted by the different parties, but it is by no means a promise of realisation.

MRUTYUANJAI MISHRA

F THE THOUSANDS of internationals arriving in Denmark every year, most are primarily coming to work and study. But it hasn’t always been that way, and it’s fair to say they are changing the nature of immigration to the country drastically.

A tenth of society’s taxes SUCH IS the magnitude today that every tenth person receiving a salary in Denmark was born outside of Denmark and is still not a Danish citizen.

Most of the new arrivals come from eastern European countries such as Poland and Romania, according to Danmarks Statistik (DS), an organisation that keeps track of demographic changes in the country.

DS systematically and scientifically collects data, and as every salaried person is taxed, a record is maintained of how much Danish society stands to gain from this new form of immigration to the country.

Changing face of migration UNTIL exactly 20 years ago, new arrivals who entered Denmark as a result of marriage and family reunification accounted for almost half of the people entering the country for permanent settlement. Now the very same group constitutes a meagre fifth of the population of immigrants entering Denmark.

In 1997, the number of immigrants arriving either to work or to study composed just 32 percent of the total arrivals.

Today the number of people entering and staying in Denmark to work or to study accounts for nearly double the amount: 62 percent.

A hugely popular food festival

In other words, the last two decades have seen a totally different pattern of immigration to Denmark. This is a result of intensive political debate regarding refugees and migrants, which started in the 1990s and has increasingly influenced the constellation of Parliament and governments since the turn of the century.

In 2004, ten new European countries were granted permission to join the European Union, and hence it became easier for people from these countries to seek work permits as members. Migration tendencies changed as political debates changed and the nature of the European Union changed.

Leaving an indelible mark THE PRIMARY source of immigration to Denmark still remains from European countries such as Poland, Romania, Germany, Spain and the UK, but the residue of political debate still centres around non-Western immigrants, who still supposedly cost the Danish

state 30 billion kroner a year.

It is indisputable that the new immigrants, especially in the last two decades, have contributed substantially to the economic growth of the country. But now they are slowly and gradually also creating an interesting sub-culture, which supplements modern Danish fads and trends.

Among the new arrivals of highly-educated professionals are Indian IT experts, who are bringing with them their vegetarian food habits, which fit perfectly well into the modern trend of eating environmentally-friendly food.

For example, the Indian Regional Vegetarian Food Festival, organised by Indians in Østerbro, has attracted thousands in Copenhagen to learn about a new food concept that has remained peripheral for a long time.

Frank Jensen, the mayor of Copenhagen, wants his city to be CO2-neutral by 2025. It seems that new immigrants are merging well into this dream of eating and living in an eco-friendly way.

OPINION

11 - 31 October 2019

JESSICA ALEXANDER

15

NEXT ISSUE

The Road Less Taken

Crazier than Christmas

Jessica is a bestselling US author, Danish parenting expert, columnist, speaker and cultural researcher. Her work has been featured in TIME, The Huffington Post, The Atlantic and The NY Times, among others. She graduated with a BS in psychology and speaks four languages. Follow Jessica on IG @jessicajoelle_ or jessicajoellealexander.com.

Straight, No Chaser

VIVIENNE MCKEE

STEPHEN GADD PIXABAY

Straight Up

IN 2 ISSUES

ZACH KHADUDU

A Dane Abroad KIRSTEN LOUISE PEDERSEN IN 3 ISSUES

Mackindergarten ADRIAN MACKINDER

Early Rejser

Unacceptable − every way you look at it

W

E WERE on holiday recently and I witnessed a fairly familiar scene.

I don’t need to talk about where we were. It could have been Anywhere, USA or Wherever, Europe. It could have been on a beach, in the snow, in a restaurant or on the street.

A little bit passé A FAMILY were eating dinner and a three-year-old girl was misbehaving. I don’t know how well behaved any three-year-old is supposed to be, but the father had finally had enough. He half stood up, raised the back of his hand and threatened to slap her in the face if she didn’t behave. He didn’t hit her then and there, but clearly she had been hit before.

I have seen this scene in so many different forms with all ages of children. My only surprise is how foreign it becomes to me every time I see it. It’s similar to the way one looks at an ashtray on a flight. “Really? People used to smoke on planes?” It seems hard to believe.

Clear Danish views AND YET, I was spanked as a

child, as many people were from other cultures. I never really questioned it until I married a Dane and had children of my own. I discovered we had very different ideas of how to raise children and this completely changed my life.

While writing my first book, ‘The Danish Way of Parenting: A Guide to Raising the Happiest Kids in the World’, I did some serious research into the subject of spanking and discovered some eye-opening statistics.

Spanking has been illegal in Denmark since 1997 and most Danes I’ve interviewed considered it “an extremely strange, almost unthinkable form of educating a child”. They focus more on managing problems with a ‘no ultimatums’ approach rather than focusing on how to discipline or punish.

Still strangely acceptable SPANKING, although perhaps not openly talked about, is still more or less acceptable in many countries. This includes many areas in the US, UK and Italy – to name a few.

And while physical punish-

ment may work in the short term, there are mountains of evidence that show there are many negative long-term effects of physical punishment. It begs to question: is it really necessary?

Many who were spanked do it because they say “I turned out okay”. But this is like saying: “I smoked my whole life and I feel fine.” That doesn’t make it good for us.

Time for perspective THE TRUTH is that most of us rarely question the way we were raised. Society has some very engrained ideas about what is okay and what is not, and we seldom challenge whether these ways are right or wrong.

Sometimes the most powerful change we can make is to be able to step outside ourselves or our culture and see things from another perspective.

I can’t help but wonder: if we were able to look from the perspective of Denmark, a country constantly voted as one of the happiest and most peaceful in the world, would the idea of spanking children feel like a slap in the face?

ADAM WELLS IN 4 ISSUES

An Actor’s Life IAN BURNS

Living Faith REVD SMITHA PRASADAM

Join the chat WWW.CPHPOST.DK WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/COPENHAGENPOST WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CPHPOST WWW.TWITTER.COM/CPHPOST

16 COMMUNITY

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

ABOUT TOWN

11 - 31 October 2019

PHOTOS BY HASSE FERROLD

The organisers of this year’s ASEAN Day reception at Asia House on September 24 – (left-right) Indonesian ambassador Muhammad Ibnu Said, Philippines ambassador Leo Herrera-Lim, Thai ambassador Vichit Chitvimarn and Vietnamese ambassador Pham Thanh Dung – are pictured with Susanne Hækkerup, the head of Asia House

Among Cypriot ambassador Penelope Erotokritou’s guests at the celebration of her country’s national day at her residence were (leftright) former Greek ambassador Efthalia Kakiopoulou, [Erotokritou], US ambassador Carla Sands and Ugandan ambassador Nimisha Jayant Madhvani

Brazil celebrated its national day at Hellerup Klub on September 10.

Among the guests of ambassador Carlos Paranhos was Jonas Bering Liisberg (left) from the Danish Foreign Ministry, who has just been confirmed as Denmark’s new permanent representative at the EU

Nigerien ambassador Amadou Tcheko (left), the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, was among the many dignitaries to salute Japanese ambassador Toshiro Suzuki at a farewell reception held at his residence in Hellerup on September 24

Saudi Arabia celebrated its national day in style at the lavish Hotel D’Angleterre on September 23. Among Saudi ambassador Fahad Alruwaily’s guests were Adrian McDaid (right), the Irish ambassador agrée

Among the guests of South Korean ambassador Sang-Jin Park at his residence in Charlottenlund on the occasion of his country’s national day on October 3 were Indian ambassador Ajit Gupte

11 - 31 October 2019

COMMUNITY

17

The Polish Embassy were the hosts of a special celebration to mark the 90th anniversary of Polish Airlines on September 12. Ambassador Henryka Moscicka-Dendys (left) was among those impressed by the amazing cake

Crazy Christmas Cabaret dame Andrew Jeffers (left) was among the guests at the premiere of the autumn family musical ‘Skovens Dronning’ at Eventyrteatret on October 4. Jeffers is busy rehearsing for the next edition of Crazy Christmas, ‘The Three Brexiteers’, which returns to Tivoli on November 12

Nepalese ambassador Yuba Nath Lamsal welcomed his Indian counterpart Ajit Gupte to his country’s national day celebrations at Asia House on September 20 – an ideal opportunity to remind the world that Mount Everest was named after a surveyor general of India

The House of International Theatre has just completed a rousing run of their play ‘The Clean House’ at Krudttønden. Audiences were bowled over by the charm and comedy of the performance. Check out our review at cphpost.dk

Mexican ambassador Carlos Pujalte (centre right) joined the performers on stage in Rådhuspladsen to mark his country’s national day on September 13

Khaled Al Ali (right), the third secretary at the UAE Embassy, and Frederiksberg Mayor Simon Aggesen were among the dignitaries in attendance at CBS Diversity Day on October 8

18 COMMUNITY

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

11 - 31 October 2019

Sometimes we all need to be ‘shameless’ and admit we need a Legge up MICHAEL LEGGE

Following Shameless (centre) and starring alongside the likes of Matthew Rhys (left), Michael has found a home in Copenhagen

A star of the cult Channel 4 series has recently relocated to Copenhagen where he works as a business and life coach BEN HAMILTON

D

ENMARK has had its fair share of famous expats over the years.

There was Constanze Mozart, for example, who following the composer’s untimely death remarried a Danish diplomat and lived in Copenhagen during the 1810s.

Even though they eventually moved back to Austria, she presumably liked it more than the famous French artist Paul Gauguin, who lived in the capital with his wife during the 1870s.

“I deeply loathe Denmark, and the Danish people, and the Danish climate,” he remarked.

In recent times, the British pop star Rick Astley, US documentary maker Joshua Oppenheimer (‘The Act of Killing’), Oscar-winning British cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle (for ‘Slumdog Millionaire’) and American-Italian actor Giancarlo Esposito, Gus Fring from ‘Breaking Bad’, have all made Denmark their home, as well as many stars of jazz.

And in most cases, the jazzmen are the only ones who can claim they weren’t refugees of love!

Ashes to ashes THE SAME is true of Copenhagen resident Michael Legge, 40, a well-known Northern Irish actor whose show reel is pretty much a recap of the best the British Isles has had to offer over the first two

decades of the 21st century.

As a star of the popular Sky series ‘Dream Team’, he quickly got used to being recognised in the street, and his career then mushroomed when he was cast as the adult self of the lead character Frank McCourt in the Alan Parker film ‘Angela’s Ashes’.

Not only did he star alongside the likes of Robert Carlyle and Emily Watson, but the role earned him a nomination in the British Newcomer of the Year category at the London Critics Circle Film Awards.

A major part in Channel 4 series ‘Shameless’ duly followed. Aged just 30, he had already achieved more than what most actors can dream of in a whole career.

So it surprised many when he decided to take a step back from acting and embark on a journey that formed the roots of his choice of career today – and eventually brought him to Copenhagen.

Fame TODAY, a contented Legge runs the life coaching and communication training company Boethius.

The experience he brings to the table does not only come from his successful career in acting, but also in his struggle to overcome severe anxiety attacks.

“From mid-childhood I dreamed of being an actor, and fast-forward 15 years and I’m supposedly living my dream,” recalls Legge. “But the dream is not exactly how I imagined. Something is missing. I cannot find happiness.”

In retrospect, Legge understands that he was suffering from anxiety, going about his acting

work with a “stomach-churning, gut-wrenching feeling of nervousness” that left him “claustrophobic in a state of fear”.

And then one day, it got all too serious.

Wild in the wind “I HAVE a full blown panic attack on a flight and it’s just horrible. I can’t breathe; I’m crying and the flight attendants are amazing. As I’m travelling alone, one of them sits next to me and talks soothingly trying to calm me for the duration of the three-hour flight,” he remembers.

And it does not end with flights as travelling on trains and the underground becomes a problem – particularly as working on ‘Shameless’ requires him to often travel from London to Manchester.

“Trains have become a problem – especially fast trains with jolting movements and no windows to open,” he continues.

“I feel ridiculous. I often look at my reflection and scream at myself to stop feeling like this.

It’s illogical and damaging me. I have an incredibly close knit family around me, wonderful friends and the makings of a great career, and I’m going to lose everything I’ve worked for.”

Changes TO UNDERSTAND the recesses of his mind, Legge starts devouring all the information he can get his hands on, from positive psychology and philosophy to neuro-linguistic programming.

Meanwhile, his acting career is suffering as he’s not getting the lead

roles he has become accustomed to. “I blame everything but my anxiety, and in every audition I attend I’m far too overwhelmed to perform well,” he said.

Some brief respite comes in a role in South Africa, but the relief is only a stop-gap and Legge starts having panic attacks, only this time “miles from home”.

Upon his return to the UK, stress became increasingly overwhelming, and when Legge’s agent retired, he took the chance to take a break – “to discover who I am and what I really want in my life; to hopefully rediscover the enthusiasm of my 15-year-old self”.

Absolute beginners IT WAS the change of direction he needed. Now trained as a therapist, Legge helps others to overcome the same issues he once faced – and he is sensible enough to realise they could easily return.

“Anxious feelings are fewer and further apart. Things that bothered me before and created stress now hold much less power over me,” he said.

“I still don’t know all the answers, though I’m committed to daily study and continuous personal development. I begin to realise that truly taking the time to know ourselves is life changing.”

At Boethius, both online and in person, he helps speakers, entrepreneurs, executives, artists and students to master their minds and communicate more effectively.

His system, ‘Mind Over Matter’ is a life-enhancing mix of NLP, CBT and ACT techniques to improve public speaking, professional

communication and social interaction.

“I am grateful to be able to help others through my coaching practice which has one objective – to remove stress, anxiety and anything else that holds my clients back, so they can perform highly in every area of their life and increase their subjective well-being and happiness.”

Hunky dory PERSONALLY, Legge has never been happier and he partly credits his new home with this transformation.

“Today, I’m based in the happiest city in the world: wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen. The vibrancy of ever-changing seasonal colours, beauty of the architecture and genuine friendliness of the Danes make this a wonderful place to live and work, and fills me with gratitude,” he said.

“As I look out of my office window in Christianshavn onto the tree-lined canal with several moments to reflect before my next appointment on this gorgeously sunny day, I know I’m on the right path to fulfilling my purpose – which is, as it turns out, all I ever wanted.”

If Michael’s story resonates with your difficulties, get in touch with Boethius for a free 60-minute strategy session to learn how to manage your mind whilst improving your presentation skills, work performance and quality of life.

His new book, ‘21 Simple Steps to make your dreams a reality’, is available for sale online.

COMMUNITY

11 - 31 October 2019

to learn about and revolve events around, and this year’s was ‘Good Health and Wellbeing’, one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Relating to this goal, the student council organised a charity donation to the Children’s Cancer Fund, in which the students sold wristbands of varying colours.

The school believes celebrating and having an International Day is very important because it gives students an opportunity to dig deeper into their learning, as well as proudly sharing food, flags, dance and music from their home countries.

As the head of school, Karen

Bøttger (left) said: “We celebrate our different nationalities and cultures for various reasons.

First of all, it’s a good way to strengthen our community at the start of the new school year.

It is also important for us as an international school to show the importance of cross-cultur-

The Copenhagen Conker Championship is back.

Remember: you’ll be allocated a conker when you get there, so no funny business with the vinegar! Organiser John Nunn urges partipants to sign up as “it’s not like these things grow on bloody trees or anything” (Oct 12, 14:00; Charlie’s Bar, Pilestræde 33, Cph K; register via Facebook)

Have you ever imagined swing dancing on an old church floor? Absalon Church, now reconstructed as a local community house, feels just your living room.

Dance to the rhythm of Maria Schilling & Friends.

An introductory hour is available for newbies and rusty dancers (Oct 12, 21:00-24:00; Absalon, Sønder Boulevard 73, Cph V; 100kr, billetto.dk)

As the host city of the C40 World Mayors Summit, this is Copenhagen’s time to shine as one of the world’s most liveable and sustainable cities.

‘Live Like Tomorrow’ is organising lots of events dedicated to climate issues that will coincide with the event (Oct 9-12; various venues; free adm; liveliketomorrow.dk)

OIST/FLICKR

UBUD/FLICKR

Three shows, each featuring two of Denmark’s most experienced English-language improv performers.

Completely unscripted and spontaneous, this hilarious night will be unlike anything you’ve seen before (Oct 15, 20:00; Teater Play, Strandlodsvej 7, Cph S; 60kr, teaterplay.billetexpressen.dk)

DAEN DE LEON

LOUIS CRUSOE/FLICKR

LIVE LIKE TOMORROW FACEBOOK PAGE

COMING UP SOON

al co-operation in addressing global issues.

This year 50 nationalities were represented at International Day, as students with their families proudly showed off their heritage in the flag parade (middle left).

HELENE ORBAN

There is no better way to experience a culture than cooking the food. In the Persian cooking class, you will learn how Persian culture is integral to its food. The raw material price of 150 kroner is included (Oct 12, 11:0015:35; Risbjergskolen, Risbjergvej 10-20, Hvidovre; 650kr; fof.dk)

Learning a language is never limited by a place. The national gallery of Denmark offers a community for Danish beginners to discuss art and mingle in Danish (Oct 16 & 23, 16:00-19:00; Statens Museum for Kunst, Sølvgade 48- 50, Cph K; free adm, smk.dk) ROSELYNE MIN

ALL PHOTOS: NORTH ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

N

ORTH ZEALAND International School (which recently changed its name from NGG to NIS to make it easier for people who don’t speak Danish to pronounce) celebrated its annual International Day on September 14.

Each year NIS chooses a theme

19

20 COMMUNITY

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

11 - 31 October 2019

From New York to Nordhavn, this was borderline UN central ROSELYNE MIN Forget New York, as Copenhagen International School was the place to be for a gathering of the United Nations in September.

Under the theme ‘Borders’, pupils aged 16 to 18 from five schools used Model UN, an educational simulation that adopts the format of the UN committees so that children can learn about diplomacy and international relations.

From September 19-21 at the school in Nordhavn, the main question on the agenda was: ‘What are borders?’

ALL PHOTOS ROSELYNE MIN UNLESS STATED

Students from CIS, Herlufholm School, Birkerød Gymnasium, the International School of Hellerup, and the International School of Turin simulated representations from 37 countries

Even though MUN is a simulation in which students mimic the actual United Nations, the performance and passion of the students exceeded expectations at time

South Africa’s representative Wecho Moncho confidently stood alone against the other nations as pressure grew on him to re-think his policy in Syria

Representing the hosts, the CIMUN team spent a whole year getting ready, during which time they gained a lot of fruitful knowledge and experience. CIS student Megan Widjaja (left), the secretary general, recalls that last October she was afraid of taking the leadership role, worrying that she wouldn’t earn respect, but on September 20 she reflected proudly on the success of the conference. “It was a student-based project so most of the preparation has gone through the students,” she said. “When people come to the opening ceremony, I finally saw all of the work from the past year coming together”

11 - 31 October 2019

COMMUNITY

21

The students who participated as delegates appreciated the CIMUN team’s effort – no matter if they were interested in the field before or not. Stanislas Salavert (left: left) aspires to work at the UN in the future and was happy to gain insight during the event. “I believe this is a really good simulation to see how it works. Of course, we don’t really see the inside operation, but we do get to see at least the diplomatic aspects between the countries,” he said. Clara Brown (left: right), who dreams of being a physicist, confessed that she wasn’t interested in any of the topics before. Yet, she believes she could hone her research and debate skills. “I really enjoyed the debate side of the conference,” she said CIS

To make the conference more fun, rules and punishments were set. If anyone used improper words while representing a nation as a delegate, they were liable to be punished – in one case by being forced to proposed marriage to another student (right) CIS

The high school principal has nothing but praise for the students. “In terms of confidence, organisational skills and management skills, it’s a real opportunity for the students,” enthused Stephen McIlroy (right). “My role has been fairly easy. It was mostly the students who have taken this on”

22 ADVERTORIAL

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

11 - 31 October 2019

World at a crossroads and a system of international relations for the future

By Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

T

HESE DAYS, the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly opens up. So does a new international “political season”.

The session begins at a highly symbolic historical moment.

Next year we will celebrate two great and interconnected anniversaries – the 75th Anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic and Second World Wars, and the establishment of the UN. Reflecting on the spiritual and moral significance of these landmark events, one needs to

bear in mind the enormous political meaning of the Victory that ended one of the most brutal wars in the history of mankind.

The defeat of fascism in 1945 had fundamentally affected the further course of world history and created conditions for establishing a post-war world order.

The UN Charter became its bearing frame and a key source of international law to this day.

The UN-centric system still preserves its sustainability and has a great degree of resilience. It actually is kind of a safety net that ensures peaceful development of mankind amid largely natural divergence of interests and rivalries among leading powers. The War-

time experience of ideology-free cooperation of states with different socioeconomic and political systems is still highly relevant.

It is regrettable that these obvious truths are being deliberately silenced or ignored by certain influential forces in the West. Moreover, some have intensified attempts at privatizing the Victory, expunging from memory the Soviet Union’s role in the defeat of Nazism, condemning to oblivion the Red Army’s feat of sacrifice and liberation, forgetting the many millions of Soviet citizens who perished during the War, wiping out from history the consequences of the ruinous policy of appeasement. From this

perspective, it is easy to grasp the essence of the concept of expounding the equality of the totalitarian regimes. Its purpose is not just to belittle the Soviet contribution to the Victory, but also to retrospectively strip our country of its historic role as an architect and guarantor of the post-war world order, and label it a “revisionist power” that is posing a threat to the well-being of the so-called free world.

Interpreting the past in such a manner also means that some of our partners see the establishment of a transatlantic link and the permanent implanting of the US military presence in Europe as a major achievement of the post-war system of international

relations. This is definitely not the scenario the Allies had in mind while creating the United Nations.

The Soviet Union disintegrated; the Berlin Wall, which had symbolically separated the two “camps,” fell; the irreconcilable ideological stand-off that defined the framework of world politics in virtually all spheres and regions became a thing of the past – yet, these tectonic shifts unfortunately failed to bring the triumph of a unifying agenda.

Instead, all we could hear were triumphant pronouncements that the “end of history” had come and that from now on there would be only one global decision-making centre.

ADVERTORIAL

11 - 31 October 2019

It is obvious today that efforts to establish a unipolar model have failed. The transformation of the world order has become irreversible. New major players wielding a sustainable economic base seek to increase their influence on regional and global developments; they are fully entitled to claim a greater role in the decision-making process.

There is a growing demand for more just and inclusive system.

The overwhelming majority of members of the international community reject arrogant neo-colonial policies that are employed all over again to empower certain countries to impose their will on others.

All that is greatly disturbing to those who for centuries have been accustomed to setting the patterns of global development by employing exclusive advantages. While the majority of states aspire to a more just system of international relations and genuine rather than declarative respect for the UN Charter principles, these demands come up against the policies desighned to preserve an order allowing a narrow group of countries and transnational corporations to reap from the fruits of globalization. The West’s response to the ongoing developments reveals true worldview of its proponents. Their rhetoric on liberalism, democracy and human rights goes hand in hand with the policies of inequality, injustice, selfishness and a belief in their own exceptionalism.

“Liberalism”, that the West claims to defend, focuses on individuals and their rights and freedoms. This begs the question: how does this correlate with the policy of sanctions, economic strangulation and overt military threats against a number of independent countries such as Cuba, Iran, Venezuela, North Korea or Syria? Sanctions directly strike at ordinary people and their well-being and violate their social and economic rights. How does the bombing of sovereign nations, the deliberate policy of destroying their statehood leading to the loss

of hundreds of thousands of lives and condemning millions of Iraqis, Libyans, Syrians and representatives of other peoples to innumerable suffering add up to the imperative of protecting human rights? The reckless Arab Spring gamble destroyed the unique ethnic and religious mosaic in the Middle East and North Africa.

In Europe, the proponents of liberal concepts get along quite well with massive violations of the Russian-speaking population rights in a number of EU and EU-neighbouring countries.

Those countries violate multilateral international conventions by adopting laws that infringe language and education rights of ethnic minorities.

What is “liberal” about visa denials and other sanctions imposed by the West on residents of Russia’s Crimea? They are punished for their democratic vote in favour of reunification with their historical homeland.

Does this not contradict the basic right of the people to free self-determination, let alone the right of the citizens to freedom of movement enshrined in international conventions?

Liberalism, or rather its real undistorted essence, has always been an important component of political philosophy both in Russia and worldwide. However, the multiplicity of development models does not allow us to say that the Western “basket” of liberal values has no alternative.

And, of course, these values cannot be carried “on bayonets” – ignoring the history of states, their cultural and political identities. Grief and destruction caused by “liberal” aerial bombings are a clear indication of what this can lead to.

The West’s unwillingness to accept today’s realities, when after centuries of economic, political and military domination it is losing the prerogative of being the only one to shape the global agenda, gave rise to the concept of a “rules-based order.” These “rules” are being invented and selectively combined depending on the fleeting needs of

the people behind it, and the West persistently introduces this language into everyday usage.

The concept is by no means abstract and is actively being implemented. Its purpose is to replace the universally agreed international legal instruments and mechanisms with narrow formats, where alternative, non-consensual methods for resolving various international problems are developed in circumvention of a legitimate multilateral framework. In other words, the expectation is to usurp the decision-making process on key issues.

The intentions of those who initiated this “rules-based order” concept affect the exceptional powers of the UN Security Council. A recent example: when the United States and its allies failed to convince the Security Council to approve politicized decisions that accused, without any proof, the Syrian government of using prohibited toxic substances, they started to promote the “rules” they needed through the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). By manipulating the existing procedures in flagrant violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, they managed (with the votes of a minority of the countries participating in this Convention) to license the OPCW Technical Secretariat to identify those responsible for the use of chemical weapons, which was a direct intrusion in the prerogatives of the UN Security Council. One can also observe similar attempts to “privatize” the secretariats of international organizations in order to advance interests outside of the framework of universal intergovernmental mechanisms in such areas as biological non-proliferation, peacekeeping, prevention of doping in sports and others.

The initiatives to regulate journalism seeking to suppress media freedom in an arbitrary way, the interventionist ideology of “responsibility to protect”, which justifies violent “humanitarian interventions” without

UN Security Council approval under the pretext of an imminent threat to the safety of civilians, are part of the same policy.

Separately, attention should be paid to the controversial concept of “countering violent extremism”, which lays the blame for the dissemination of radical ideologies and expansion of the social base of terrorism on political regimes that the West has proclaimed undemocratic, illiberal or authoritarian. This concept provides for direct outreach to civil society over the head of legitimate governments.

Obviously, the true goal is to withdraw counterterrorism efforts from beneath the UN umbrella and to obtain a tool of interference in the internal affairs of states.

The introduction of such new concepts is a dangerous phenomenon of revisionism, which rejects the principles of international law embodied in the UN Charter and paves the way back to the times of confrontation and antagonism. It is for a reason that the West is openly discussing a new divide between “the rules-based liberal order” and “authoritarian powers.”

Revisionism clearly manifests itself in the area of strategic stability. The US torpedoing first the ABM Treaty and now the INF Treaty (a decision that enjoys unanimous NATO members’ support) have generated risks of dismantling the entire architecture of nuclear arms control agreements. The prospects of the Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (The New START) are vague – because the US has not given a clear answer to the Russian proposal to agree to extend the New START beyond its expiry date in February 2021.

Now we are witnessing alarming signs that a media campaign in the United States is being launched to lay the groundwork for abandoning the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (which has not been

23

ratified by the United States).

This calls into question the future of this treaty, which is vital for international peace and security. Washington has embarked upon the implementation of its plans to deploy weapons in outer space, rejecting proposals to agree on a universal moratorium on such activities.

There is one more example of introducing revisionist “rules”: the US withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Iran’s nuclear program, a multilateral agreement approved by the UN Security Council that is of key importance for the nuclear non-proliferation.

Yet another example is Washington’s open refusal to implement unanimous UN Security Council resolutions on the settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In the economic field, the “rules” consist of protectionist barriers, sanctions, abuse of the status of the US dollar as the principle means of payment, ensuring competitive advantages by non-market methods, and extraterritorial use of US laws, even towards the United States’ closest allies.

At the same time, our American colleagues are persistently trying to mobilise all of their foreign partners to contain Russia and China. Simultaneously they do not conceal their wish to sow discord between Moscow and Beijing and undermine multilateral alliances and regional integration projects in Eurasia and Asia-Pacific that are operating outside of the US oversight. Pressure is exerted on those countries that do not play by the rules imposed on them and dare make the “wrong choice” of cooperating with US “adversaries”.

So, what do we have as a result? In politics, erosion of the international legal basis, growth of instability and unsustainability, chaotic fragmentation of the global landscape and deepening mistrust between those involved in the international life. In the area of security, blurring of the dividing line between military

24 ADVERTORIAL

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

and non-military means of achieving foreign policy goals, militarization of international relations, increased reliance on nuclear weapons in US security doctrines, lowering the threshold for the use of such armaments, the emergence of new hotbeds of armed conflicts, the persistence of the global terrorist threat, and militarization of the cyberspace. In the world economy, increased volatility, tougher competition for markets, energy resources and their supply routes, trade wars and undermining the multilateral trade system. We can add a surge of migration and deepening of ethnic and religious strife. Do we need such a “rules-based” world order?

Against this background, attempts by Western liberal ideologues to portray Russia as a “revisionist force” are simply absurd. We were among the first to draw attention to the transformation of the global political and economic systems that cannot remain static due to the objective march of history. It would be appropriate to mention here that the concept of multipolarity in international relations that accurately reflects emerging economic and geopolitical realities was formulated two decades ago by the outstanding Russian statesman Yevgeny Primakov. His intellectual legacy remains relevant now as we mark the 90th anniversary of his birth.

As is evident from the experience of recent years, using unilateral tools to address global problems is doomed to failure.

The West-promoted “order” does not meet the needs of humankind’s harmonious development.

This “order” is non-inclusive, aims to revise the key international legal mechanisms, rejects the principle of collective action in the relations between states, and by definition cannot generate solutions to global problems that would be viable and stable in the long term rather than seek a propaganda effect within an electoral cycle in this or that country.

What is being proposed by Russia? First of all, it is necessary to keep abreast of the times and recognise the obvious: the emergence of a polycentric world architecture is an irreversible process, no matter how hard anyone tries to artificially hold it back (let alone send it in reverse). Most countries don’t want to be held hostage to someone else’s geopolitical calculations and are determined to conduct nationally oriented domestic and foreign policies. It is our common interest to ensure that multipolarity is not based on a stark balance of power like it was at the earlier stages of human history (for example, in the 19th and the first half of the 20th century), but rather bears a just, democratic and unifying nature, takes into account the approaches and concerns of all those taking part in the international relations without an exception, and ensures a stable and secure future.

There are some people in the West who often speculate that polycentric world order inevitably leads to more chaos and confrontation because the “centres of power” will fail to come to terms among themselves and take responsible decisions.

But, firstly, why not try? What if it works? For this, all that is necessary is to start talks on the understanding that the parties should seek a balance of interests. Attempts to invent ones’ own “rules” and impose them on all others as the absolute truth should be stopped. From now on, all parties should strictly comply with the principles enshrined in the UN Charter, starting with the respect for the sovereign equality of states regardless of their size, system of government or development model. Paradoxically, countries that portray themselves as paragons of democracy actually care about it only as they demand from other countries to “put their house in order” on a West-inspired pattern. But as soon as the need arises for democracy in intergovernmental relations, they immediately

11 - 31 October 2019

evade honest talk or attempt to interpret international legal norms at their own discretion.

No doubt, life does not stand still. While taking good care of the post-WWII system of international relations that relies on the United Nations, it is also necessary to cautiously though gradually adjust it to the realities of the current geopolitical landscape. This is completely relevant for the UN Security Council, where, judging by today’s standards, the West is unfairly overrepresented. We are confident that reforming the Security Council shall take into account interests of the Asian, the African and the Latin American nations whilst any such design must rest upon the principle of the broadest consensus among the UN member states.

The same approach should apply to refining the world trade system, with special attention paid to harmonizing the integration projects in various regions.

We should use to the fullest the potential of the G20, an ambitious, all-encompassing global governance body that represents the interests of all key players and takes unanimous decisions.

Other associations are playing a growing role as well, alliances projecting the spirit of a true and democratic multipolarity, based on voluntary participation, consensus, values of equality and sound pragmatism, and refraining from confrontation and bloc approaches. These include BRICS and the SCO, which our country is an active member of and which Russia will chair in 2020.

It is evident that without collective effort and without unbiased partnership under the central coordinating role of the UN it is impossible to curb confrontational tendencies, build up trust and cope with common threats and challenges. It is high time to come to terms on uniform interpretation of the principles and norms of international law rather than try to follow the old saying “might goes before right”. It is more difficult to broker deals than

to put forward demands. But patiently negotiated trade-offs will be a much more reliable vehicle for predictable handling of international affairs. Such an approach is badly needed to launch substantive talks on the terms and conditions of a reliable and just system of equal and indivisible security in the Euro-Atlantic and Eurasia. This objective has been declared multiple times at the top level in the OSCE documents. It is necessary to move from words to deeds. The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) have repeatedly expressed their readiness to contribute to such efforts.

It is important to increase our assistance to the peaceful resolution of numerous conflicts, be it in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Latin America or the post-Soviet space. The main point is to live up to the earlier arrangements rather than to invent pretexts for refusing to adhere to the obligations.

As of today, it is especially relevant to counter religious and ethnic intolerance. We urge all the nations to work together to prepare for the World Conference on Interfaith and Inter-Ethnic Dialogue that will be held in Russia in May 2022 under the auspices of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the UN. The OSCE that has formulated a principled position condemning anti-Semitism should act with equal resolve toward Christianophobia and Islamophobia.

Our unconditional priority is to continue providing assistance to the unhindered formation of the Greater Eurasian Partnership, a broad integration framework stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific that involves the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and all other countries of the Eurasian continent, including the EU

countries. It would be unwise to contain the unifying processes or, worse still, to put up fences.

It would be a mistake to reject the obvious strategic advantages of the common Eurasian region in an increasingly competitive world.

Consistent movement towards this constructive goal will allow us not only to keep up the dynamic development of the national economies and to remove obstacles to the movement of goods, capital, labour and services, but it will also create a solid foundation of security and stability throughout the vast region from Lisbon to Jakarta.

Will the multipolar world continue to take shape through cooperation and harmonization of interests or through confrontation and rivalry? This depends on all of us. Russia will continue to promote a positive and unifying agenda aimed at removing the old dividing lines and preventing the appearance of new ones. Russia has advanced initiatives to prevent an arms race in outer space, establish efficient mechanisms for combating terrorism, including chemical and biological terrorism, and to agree upon practical measures to prevent the use of cyberspace for undermining national security or for other criminal purposes.

Our proposals to launch a serious discussion on all aspects of strategic stability in the modern era are still on the table.

There have been ideas floated recently to modify the agenda and update the terms. The proposed subjects for discussion vary between “strategic rivalry” and “multilateral deterrence.”

Terminology is negotiable, but it is not terms but the essence that really matters. It is now much more important to start a strategic dialogue on the existing threats and risks and to seek consensus on a commonly acceptable agenda. Yet another outstanding statesman from our country, Andrey Gromyko (his 110th birth anniversary we mark this year) said wisely: “Better to have ten years of negotiations than one day of war.”

HISTORY

11 - 31 October 2019

25

LSD tests that heralded Denmark’s second age of enlightenment

Favoured by the spooks LYSERGIC acid diethylamide (LSD) was synthesised in 1938

by Swiss chemists Albert Hofmann and Arthur Stoll. Since then, the hallucinogenic drug has amassed international notoriety in psychiatry and society.

The drug, which binds itself to serotonin receptors in the brain, takes only a tiny dose – around 100 micrograms – to create strong effects that can last 12 hours or longer.

In the 1950s, the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) searched for avant-garde methods to control consciousness as a psychological weapon during the Cold War, and for a time LSD became known as a ‘truth serum’.

In small doses, LSD seemed to be able to reveal deeply-seated secrets and undermine patterns of behaviour, according to a 1985 study, which gave rise to the drug’s possible brainwashing effects.

Countries continued to experiment with the drug as a means to understand the brain – and possibly understand their enemies. Over time, however, medical experiments have only exacerbated the drug as more unpredictable and puzzling than ever before.

V

ERY OFTEN it’s the sub-plot of a conspiracy theory film. Our protagonist uncovers evidence of top secret tests carried out by a secret service or military in which the guinea pigs (not literally, although that might depend on the dosage) were subjected to large amounts of LSD and instructed to storm a machine gun turret – or something like that.

A Wikipedia description of the 1990 Vietnam War film ‘Jacob’s Ladder’, for example, contains the line: “To test the drug’s effectiveness, a dose was secretly given to Jacob’s unit before the battle, causing some of them to turn on each other in a homicidal frenzy.”

But often the reality was completely different. Last year, the British media reported how LSD tests on Royal Marine Commandos left the majority of them “flat on their backs, helpless with laughter, or staggering against trees”. After 70 minutes, their commander conceded defeat and “relapsed into laughter” himself.

The overall conclusion of the Chemical Defence Advisory Board was that using LSD as a weapon of war was “more magical than scientific”.

Before the Beatles dabbled THE BRITISH military and the Beatles weren’t the only ones experimenting with the drug in the 1960s, as Denmark was also in on the act.

And now more than half a century later, psychedelic drugs are inching in from the cold, with LSD back in the vanguard.

A recently published study

by Aarhus researcher Jens Knud

Contentious clinical trials AS PSYCHEDELIC drugs grew in popularity among the public in the 1950s and 60s, it also became widely used in psychiatry as it was thought to evoke unconscious material.

Frederiksberg Hospital in Denmark soon became a major centre of LSD research in Scandinavia, studying the effect the drug had on nearly 400 patients in 1964. According to the Danish State Archives, only a few complications were reported,

Effective therapy?

RECENT studies have suggested that LSD treatment is safe and effective when assisting psychotherapy for illnesses such as end-of-life anxiety among the terminally ill, PTSD, cancer, addiction and cluster headaches.

Of the 151 patients who claimed state reparations under Denmark’s LSD Damages Law, many suffered from pre-existing mental health issues, and thus further research must be done to understand the true effect of the drug.

The fabled enlightenment drug of the 1960s remains an unknown as a medical treatment. Though interest in the LSD’s possible positive effects have resurged in new medical research, the jury is still out on the long-term impacts it exerts on the brain.

Crikey ... did you really say 12 hours?

NATIONAL ARCHIVE

MADISON BOBER

including a few suicide attempts and a homicide.

The centre’s attitude towards LSD research remained positive, and the treatment continued in Denmark until the mid-1970s – almost 10 years after the drug became internationally contentious.

Twenty years later in 1986, the Danish Parliament passed the LSD Damages Law, which aimed to counteract any LSD-inflicted harm by the patients involved in the clinical trials of the 60s. These trials were criticised as coercive due to the lack of informed consent from patients.

The 151 applicants of the 400 who were treated all received financial compensation for apparent long-term, severe side-effects of the LSD treatment, which included flashbacks, according to the Danish State Archives.

The amount of compensation ranged from 50,000 to 510,000 kroner. While the patients were paid back, the public and the medical community were still left in the dark.

NATIONAL ARCHIVE

Larsen, which has retroactively re-examined one of the largest ever Scandinavian studies of LSD, questions the role the psychedelic drug can play for future psychiatric treatment.

PIXABAY

Some 400 patients were administered the drug at Frederiksberg Hospital in 1964, with nearly half of them receiving compensation from the government two decades later

26 ADVERTORIAL Keys to the Kingdom: just waiting to be discovered THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

New e-tourist visas enable citizens of 49 countries to easily visit Saudi Arabia – including Denmark’s

O

N SEPTEMBER 27, at a gala event at the UNESCO World Heritage site in Ad-Diriyah, Riyadh, which was hosted by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced new visa rules for international visitors.

The new electronic tourist visa, which can be issued online or upon arrival at any Saudi airport, is available to people living in 49 countries including Denmark.

Among them are all 28 EU countries, Norway, Switzerland, the USA, Canada, China, Japan, Korea, Australia and New Zealand – to name just a few.

Valid for a year THE VISA grants visitors a maximum of 90 days per stay, and it is valid for one year (no more than 180 days in a year) after its issue date.

This will be the first time that visitors will be able to come for pleasure and leisure purposes in Saudi Arabia, which views the e-tourist visa as a way of opening up the country to tourism.

The eVisa application only takes a few minutes to complete online. After the application has been completed and approved, it will be sent to the traveller by email. A copy will need to be shown upon entry to Saudi Arabia, along with the corresponding passport.

Previously, a visa could only be obtained at an embassy or consulate.

Less restrictions DRESS requirements for female visitors are now less strict, absolving them of wearing an abaya robe-like dress in public places.

Foreign women are now allowed to travel and book a hotel room without a male partner, and foreign unmarried couples will be

allowed to book double rooms in a hotel without having to present proof of marriage.

Nevertheless, tourists must consider that their choice of attire should still be as modest as possible, and holy cities like Mecca will continue to be open to Muslims only.

Opening up Saudi Arabia THE ANNOUNCEMENT is a key milestone of the country’s Vision 2030, of which the development of tourism is close to it heart. It is one of the latest changes orchestrated by Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman, who since acceding to his position of power has been busy investing in freeing the Saudi economy from its dependence on the oil market, as well as granting more freedoms to the country’s citizens.

“Opening Saudi Arabia to international tourists is a historic moment for our country,” explained Ahmad Al-Khateeb, the chair of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage.

“Generous hospitality is at the heart of Arabian culture and we look forward to showing our guests a very warm welcome.”

The whole vision aims to generate 1 million jobs and increase the contribution of tourism to the GDP of the country from 3 to 10 percent, whilst increasing the number of foreigner visits to 100 million annually by 2030, compared to 41 million at present.

What to see HERITAGE sites, cultural experiences and spectacular natural surroundings, as well as a great all-year-round climate, are just some of the advantages that Saudi Arabia has as a tourist destination.

The Kingdom has 13 regions of distinctive cultural tradition.

Among the highlights are their remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as the Al-Ahsa Oasis, with 2.5 million

11 - 31 October 2019

date palms – one of the largest oases in the world; Madain Saleh in Al-Ula, the largest conserved site of the civilization of the Nabataeans south of Petra in Jordan; and the At-Turaid District in Ad-Diriyah, the first capital of the Saudi state.

In addition, contemporary culture is also on the rise. Visitors can check out the art of Zahrah Al-Ghamdi who exhibited at the Venice Biennale this past May as well as enjoy different cultural festivals such as The Winter at Tantora festival, the Annual Flowerman festival or the Red Sea International Film Festival, which is premiering in March 2020.

More private investment AT THE moment the Radisson Hotel Group has 25 hotels in 11 Saudi cities, including Dammam, Al Khobar, Jeddah and Najran City, and it is expecting to open 20 more over the next 10 years.

In places like Dammam, visitors can enjoy the famous Dammam Corniche boardwalk and the Half Moon Bay as well as go for a shopping spree at the Mall of Dhahran, which offers international brands. While in cities like Najran, history buffs can explore Saudi Arabia’s archaeological heritage at Bi’r Hima and in Jeddah the gate to Mecca.

Many attractions are still under construction, such as the futuristic city of NEOM – a startup the size of a country – built under the principles of renewable energy, technology, community, diversity and modern architecture, as well as luxury destinations by the Red Sea. The message is clear: “To investors we say: Become part of the fastest-growing tourism sector on earth. To visitors, we say: Be among the first to discover and explore the treasures of Arabia.”

Saudi Arabia is a unique destination and an untouched zone ready to be discovered.

11 - 31 October 2019

COMMUNITY

27

Byen it and they will come: International event a huge success!

BY HELENE ORBEN

Seriously, nobody expected it to be so busy, and over the first hour it is true that the workers on the 70-plus stands at International Citizen Day at DGI-Byen on September 21 mingled amongst each other and probably feared the worst. But then the deluge happened as tens, and then hundreds, and finally thousands descended on the venue to source information on housing, careers, setting up a business, tax, hobbies, sports and more. "It was non-stop ... no breaks for four hours," observed some of the participants, and the smiles on their faces said it all

Adjoining the main hall, there was room for hundreds to sit and listen to a long line-up of speakers. Among them was American Chamber of Commerce president Stephen Brugger (left), while among the happy audience was Copenhagen Relocations managing owner Michèle Bramstoft (right), taking a minute from the huge rush at her stand no doubt

There were many organisations present who were keen to tell the internationals in attendance how they could help them. Line Rauff (left), a recruitment consultant at Work in Denmark, advised her audience how to get off to a good start in their job search by getting to know the Danish workplace culture. While Mahak Laursen (right), the team co-ordinator for international projects at Københavns Erhvervshus (Business House Copenhagen), faced a siege of internationals keen to find out more about the career courses and programs available to spouses and students

28 FOOD & DRINK THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

11 - 31 October 2019

Dip, eat and repeat at a restaurant as organic as the produce Refshalevej 141, Cph K; open daily 08:00-20:00; reservations advised for winter 12-course tasting menu, 850kr + 500kr for 5 wine pairings, walk-ins for cafe and sauna; reservations via labanchina.dk ROSELYNE MIN

O

Look out for the pop-ups I VISITED La Banchina on a weekend in September on maybe the last warm day of the year.

The dock was brimming with unique flavours of Korean food with a bit of a La Banchina twist.

Kala, a Korean-American kimchi expert, had been wowing customers with her exotic dishes at four pop-up collaborations.

In certain Korean dishes, meat plays a big role, but the chef was still able to keep the authenticity of the flavours, and the mission of La Banchina, by not using meat. She offered a veggie wrap ‘Ssam’, with soy sauce-seasoned squid and veggie leaves with ‘Ssamjang’ sauce, making a perfect Korean-Nordic fusion.

Collaborations with foreign chefs are a regular fixture at La Banchina, so it’s good to keep an eye on their social media. And it is such collaborations that makes La Banchina a corner of hygge and delicious cuisine.

Drop by when you crave an organic wine and mouthfuls of seafood, or simply want to try some winter bathing in the vicinity of a welcoming sauna.

LA BANCHINA

Fighting the frosty days THE BARREL sauna beside the kitchen is perhaps one of the most cherished elements at La Banchina.

On the door small rules such as “swimwear is optional” are written, reflecting the Scandinavian culture of the venue.

Changing facilities are nowhere to be found, but as La Banchina says: “Don’t be shy”. Nakedness is often seen at La Banchina.

Another one reads: “The queue is self-managed,” as sauna-goers are encouraged to have a chat with others to see who’s next and be courteous to one another.

Taking a leap into the sauna on your visit to La Banchina is an unmissable social experience when in Copenhagen. Often you’ll hear discussions on what’s the most Nordic way of enjoying the sauna – from how to keep the wood burning in kiuas to how to use kiulu.

Mangiamo?

AS THE name suggests, La Banchina serves Italian-inspired food paired with organic wines and no meat, only fish. Breakfast menus include old favourites such as croissants and cinnamon rolls, as well as rye bread with egg or sourdough with ham and cheese. However, each month there might be variations, so be surprised, or check the website before heading over.

From October 25, designed especially for the winter season, La Banchina has crafted a 12-course tasting menu, with a suggested wine pairing of five glasses. This new edition will be available from Thursday to Saturday evening and bookings are highly recommended.

ROSELYNE MIN

From farm to table IN 2015, BREDGAARD turned the place into a 16-seater restaurant and wine bar with a sauna, focusing on serving only “natural, organic, biodynamic and locally sourced ingredients”, whilst prioritising sustainability in every aspect and area of the restaurant.

In the backyard, visitors can observe a small greenhouse located behind the kitchen, where the chefs source the herbs and veggies used in their daily breakfast, lunch and dinner menus.

Although, officially there are 16 seats, guests can wander around the venue and sit wherever it feels hygge. Tables in the garden are popular with hungry diners, while the dock is full of sunbathers in the summer or whenever the sun is out. While the edge alongside the backyard overlooking the canal is the spot for the braves who want to take a dip and refresh.

But it is also about taking the time to relax. While the heat sinks in, sip a glass of wine and admire the scenery through the big window.

ROSELYNE MIN

N ONE OF the many islands found in the city of Copenhagen, where the shades of the old grey industrial past haven’t faded away, a blue cottage is nestled among wooden decks and boats. With its fairy-tale aesthetic, La Banchina restaurant stands out by the entrance of the oh-so-popular Refshaleøen.

Nevertheless, on first impression, it’s hard to imagine that such a cosy and relaxed vibe lies in store behind the façade of the rustic blue house, which brings with it a bit of ‘je ne sais quoi’ charm.

When owner Christer Bredgaard was first introduced to the abandoned place, it was only a blue shell with a lot of bushes in front where workers of the shipping industry used to wait for ferries.

Not trendy for the sake of it CONSIDERED decisions are made to be sustainable at La Banchina. Vegetable offcuts are used for stock, locally-sourced ingredients are delivered in reusable bags, and the trash bins don’t use plastic bags.

Christina Terry, the communications manager, proudly explains: “We have been saving around 500 kilos of plastic every year. It’s fun as well because you are constantly challenging yourself.”

Everything at La Banchina, from the tables to the food, comes from small local farms and fishermen. The wine is sourced only from small artisan and independent wineries, which primordially offer natural varieties. In their words, their wines are not only there to quench your thirst, they “span from easy-drinking to serious thinking”. And lastly, their bread is delivered fresh every morning from sister bakery Il Buco.

Café manager Russell Schaper-Kotter reveals they’ve recently been in talks about bringing some bees to harvest honey to remove sugar from La Banchina, which means a far more sustainable future lies ahead.

LA BANCHINA

LA BANCHINA

11 - 31 October 2019

A LANDMARK OF BRITISH THEATRE

LOOK BACK in ANGER

BY JOHN OSBORNE

IAN BURNS SØREN HØJEN ALEX JESPERSEN HELLE KRISTIANSEN PETER VINDING DIRECTOR: HELEN PARRY

KRUDTTØNDEN

SERRIDSLEV VEJ 2 , KBH Ø

Poul Henningsens Plads

teaterbilletter.dk 7020 2096 www.that-theatre.com

OCTOBER 23 TO

NOVEMBER 23

29

30

EVENTS

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

11 - 31 October 2019

Look Back in Anger Oct 23-Nov 23; Krudttønden, Serridslevvej 2, Cph Ø; 40-165kr, teaterbilletter.dk; that-theatre.com That Theatre presents John Osborne’s Look Back in Anger, the story of Jimmy Porter, a working class man married to a upper-middle class wife.

When it was first performed in the 1950s, the play had seismic impact on British theatre and society Based loosely on Osborne’s failed marriage, this gripping play will have you on the edge of your seat. (HO)

Carmen ends Feb 15; Operaen, Ekvipagemestervej 10, Cph K; 155-945kr; kglteater.dk; in French with DK subtitles The sultry señorita is back – directly in fact from the Royal Opera House in London!

Georges Bizet’s classic opera − full of steamy Spanish passion, eroticism, raucous stage scenes and familiar songs that will have you swaying on your haunches − was first performed in Paris in 1875 and it’s been wowing audiences ever since.

The Barber of Seville ends Nov 21; Operaen, Ekvipagemestervej 10, Cph K; 155-945kr; kglteater.dk; in Italian with DK subtitles Gioachino Rossini’s beloved 1816 opera ‘The Barber of Seville’ is based on the original story that was the prequel to the one that spawned ‘The Marriage of Figaro’. Reumert award-winning director Martin Lyngbo takes inspiration from classic silent movies to create a rich visual experience.

Last Tango in Little Grimley Nov 1-12; Matrikel1, Højbro Plads 10, Cph K; 200kr, teaterbilletter.dk What do you do when your drama club only has four members and no money with rent coming up soon? Put on the play of a lifetime of course! Chaos, ccoquettishness and comedy ensue in David Tristram’s Last Tango in Little Grimley , which is guaranteed to have the audience in tears of laughter., choking on the free tea and biccies. Dawn Wall and Dina Rosenmeier are among the cast. (HO)

Open Mic Night Oct 12, 18:00-22:00; Tea:licious Café, Studiestræde 21, Cph; 50kr, 2loops.cph@gmail.com Try something a bit quirky and chewy on a Friday night.

The two things that you will like only when you get used to them: karaoke and bubble tea.

Tea:licious Café serves them only for 50kroner – So it’s worth trying!Karaoke doesn’t always need to be an alcohol-involved experience, in fact, tapioca pearls can please you as much! (RM)

Halloween at Tivoli Oct 11-Nov 3; Tivoli, Vesterbrogade 3, Cph V; 130kr, tivoligardens.com Tivoli greets spooky visitors from mid-October onwards, challenging them to “test their courage in Tivoli”. Will you dare to soak yourself in this pumpkin-spicy fearsome atmosphere? (RM)

Party Like Tomorrow Oct 10, 19:00- 22:00; BLOXHUB, Members Lounge, Bryghuspladsen 8, Cph K; event@ bloxhub.org Enjoy cocktails and food at the Nordic hub for sustainable urbanization with people who are engaged in climate decision making. (RM)

Vera’s Clothing Swap Oct 11, 15:00-22:00; Vester Voldgade, Cph V; free adm; verasvintage.dk At Veras Clothing Swap, get points for buying clothes by giving away the old clothes you are not interested in anymore.

The first three items are free!

(RM)

Draw away Oct 13 & 20, 13:00-15:00; Statens Museum for Kunst, Sølvgade 48-50, Cph K; 160kr, billetto.dk To mark its new exhibition ‘Danish Golden Age’, SMK are holding drawing sessions among its array of plants, lamps and plaster casts. (RM)

Havnecup Oct 29, 09:30-15:30; Portland Towers, Göteborg Plads 1, Cph K; free adm Fishing Copenhagen is hosting a tournament in Nordhavn to see who catch the longest cod.

Don’t be scared, no experience needed! Last year’s winner was 66cm long! (RM)

Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery ends Oct 11; William Wains Gade 18, Cph; 150kr, place2book.com This comical Sherlock Holmes adaption by US playwriter Ken Ludwig will make you laugh all night. (RM)

Art & Porn ongoing, ends Jan 12; Kunsthal Charlottenborg, Nyhavn 2, Cph K; 90kr, kunsthalcharlottenborg.dk Kunsthal Charlottenborg is celbrating the 50th anniversary of the legalisation of visual pornography in Denmark. (RM)

Marsden Hartley ongoing, ends Jan 19; Louisiana, Gl Strandvej 13, Humlebæk; 125kr, louisiana.dk US painter Marsden Hartley was a bridge between European and American modernism.

(RM)

Artsnips Oct 13, 18, & 24; various locations; 365kr, artnsips.ticketbutler.io Professional artists are ready to help you, but also to back off if that’s what you prefer. Canvas, paint, brushes, apron, and even a drink will be offered. (RM)

Fun for kids Oct 12-13, 09:30-15:30; Botanical Garden, Gothersgade 128, Cph K; free adm, snm.ku The Natural History Museum is arranging activities where kids can learn about sustainability. (RM)

Culture Night Oct 11, 18:00-23:45; various venues; all night pass 95kr, kulturnatten.dk/en The first-ever Culture Night took place on 15 October 1993 and since then it has become an institution. This year more than 250 culture sites are involved. Last year 4,000 passes were sold. (RM)

Hungry Hungry Dragon Oct 14; No Stress Bar, Nørregade 26, Cph N; 120kr, ti.to/ dragos-cristian-comedy English stand-up comedy that focuses on differences between European countries has been travelling around the world and finally arrives in Denmark.

(RM)

Zoo after closing Oct 15, 17:20-19:20; Copenhagen Zoo, Roskildevej 32, Frederiksberg; 350kr, fof.dk After the zoo closes, what are the animals doing at dusk? The Cph zoo invites young guests for an exclusive evening. Don’t miss the new pandas, Xing Er and Mao Sun! (RM)

CPH Zine Fest Oct 19, 12:00-20:00; Ungdomshuset, Dortheavej 61, Cph; Free adm, kontakt@ungdomshuset.dk Some 46 zine makers are gathering at Ungdomshuset to exhibit their works. Bring your own zines and talk to the zine makers about their work. And don’t miss the after-party! (RM)

NOTICE

I, Ram Tirath – S/O Rajkumar, R/O Bredekærs Vænge 98K, 2635 Ishøj – have changed my name to Ramzi Tirath.

All concerned note.

LEAVE NO TRACE Film of the Month in October is ‘Leave No Trace’ – an intense survivalist drama about a father and his daughter. Experience the film from October 17th to October 28th.

We present some 50 films with English dialogue or subtitles every month.

See what’s on at cinemateket.dk or visit us in Gothersgade 55

ON SCREENS

11 - 31 October 2019

31

Trusting Vince to break a bad trend and deliver the goods BEN HAMILTON

T

HE AVENGERS is the biggest pile of crap I’ve ever seen. Apparently I’ve got to watch 80-odd hours of footage just so I can appreciate it. I’d rather spend the time playing blind man’s buff with Fred and Rosemary West.

Now, that opening line might sound like something an 11-year-old would write on the school intranet to piss off 45 percent of his classmates (any self-respecting woman can see that Marvel doesn’t have room for women, only girls belatedly, and where, pray, are the gay and non-binary characters – don’t tell me the Hulk qualifies because he fluctuates between him and it), but that is the issue: I am still 11 years old.

Back then, when TV tended to switch off at 00:30 sharp, I used to stay up late watching reruns of the cool, cheeky, ever so camp 1960s British TV series The Avengers. But then the travesty that was the 1998 movie adaptation bludgeoned long rusty nails through its heart to ensure future generations would never watch them, however much they might admire Diana Rigg in Game of Thrones.

Not only did they completely miss the point of the original in their hunger to ride the wave of TV series adapted as movies, but they had the nerve to give a derisory audio role to the legendary Patrick MacNee, the main character in the original, and find room for Shaun Ryder, a musician who had long forgotten how to play himself.

His only other film role to date is as Mad Dog in Rise of the Footsoldier 3.

Gilligan has the gonads TAKING a classic TV series and making a film – either as a reboot (like Dad’s Army or Starsky and Hutch) or prequel or continuation (like Entourage or Downton Abbey) – is perilous to put it mildly.

Let’s face it, David Brent: On the Road (which Ricky Gervais wrote with no input from Stephen Merchant) has soured the memory of the deliberately short 14-episode series that elevated its creators to deity-like status.

So when I learned that Vince Gilligan, the creator and writer of Breaking Bad, had decided to continue the Jesse Pinkman story in El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (from Oct 11 on Netflix) – a character who we last saw exploding with joy as he smashed through the gates of his captors’ liquid meth lab – I was filled with a mixture of excitement and trepidation.

Despite being given some starring roles, the actor Aaron Paul hasn’t exactly been knocking it out of the park of late (loved him at the end of Black Mirror episode ‘USS Callister’) while his co-star Bryan Cranston has been going from strength to strength. Perhaps killing off Walt enabled him to finally move on, although lately the clamour for him to return for a cameo in Better Called Saul has been palpable.

And of course, that superb series is evidence that Gilligan won’t let us down.

Great Scott! Stone me!

ALSO ON the Pinkman comeback trail this month are a number of actors we haven’t seen since the 1990s – or at least in anything good. For starters, both Eddy Murphy and Wesley Snypes are in Dolemite is My Name (from Oct 25 on Netflix), the true story of the godfather of Blaxploitation films.

Sharon Stone turns up in The Laundromat (from Oct 18 on Netflix), a money-laundering tale that manages to be darkly humorous despite being based on a true story. Meryl Streep, Gary Oldman and Antonio Banderas co-star.

And whatever happened to the once promising Scottish actor Dougray Scott. Well, he’s

Jesse’s put a lot of miles between himself and Albuquerque

landed a plumb role in Batwoman (68 on Metacritic, from Oct 8 on HBO Nordic). Confusingly, the main character’s surname is Kane not Wayne.

But in fact, the biggest comeback of the month will probably belong to the music of Judy Garland, with Renée Zellweger tipped to win a second Oscar for her performance as the tragic star in Judy (66; Oct 24). Let’s just hope they don’t make a biopic of Bette Midler anytime soon.

Glowing like Bennifer again JENNIFER Lopez is tipped to give Zellweger a run for her money with her appearance in Hustlers (79; Oct 24), the story of a woman who finds herself stripping again to make ends meet during the financial crisis, and eventually resorts to drugging her clients and stealing from them.

The Vanishing (Not Released Worldwide; Oct 9) certainly stole its title, and maybe a bit more, as this story of three Scottish lighthouse keepers who find a box full of gold has a Shallow Grave vibe to it. One of them is played by Peter Mullan, a villain in the former, and this time the unwelcome interlopers are all played by Danes – cast by the director Kristoffer Nyholm (Forbrydelsen) you would assume.

Also at cinemas in October are two sequels – Zombieland:

Double Tap (NRW; Oct 24), which has managed to entice Emma Stone despite her success since the first one, and Maleficient: Mistress of Evil (NRW; Oct 17) in which no acting is required from Angelina Jolie beyond envisaging Brad holding that Oscar next February – while Jamie Bell brings his best white skinhead face to Skin (62; Oct 17), playing a character who would kill his grandmother to avoid watching Jamaican music documentary Inna de Yard: The Soul of Jamaica (76; Oct 24).

Completing the Netflix movie line-up, meanwhile, we have four thrillers: Children of the Corn homage In the Tall Grass (46; Oct 4) in which creepy kids are joined by an endless field; The Lady Vanishes rip-off Fractured (Oct 11), in which Sam Worthington’s family go AWOL in A&E; Eli (Oct 18) in which a kid isolated by a skin disease wishes he wasn’t trapped with the doctors from hell; and Rattlesnake (Oct 25), in which a woman must kill someone by midnight to repay the weirdo who saved her snake-bitten daughter’s life.

Changed a lot since Kojak OVER IN TV land, there are plenty of returning series to look forward to. Netflix welcomes back Riverdale (S4; Oct 10) and The Kominsky Method (S2; Oct 25); while HBO

Nordic is counting down the days until The Walking Dead (S9; Oct 7), Supergirl (S5; Oct 8), All American (S2; Oct 8), Legacies (S2; Oct 11), The Secret Life of Couples (S2; Oct 14), Light as a Feather (S2; Oct 20), Castle Rock (S2; Oct 24) and Silicon Valley (S6; Oct 28).

Among the new series, Paul Rudd is going Mr Multiplicity in Living with Yourself (Netflix; Oct 18); mumblecore boarding school romcom Looking for Alaska (HBO Nordic; Oct 19) looks a little underwhelming; fans of the comic and film are salivating at the prospect of Watchmen (HBO Nordic; Oct 21) on which little expense has been spared; comedian Kathryn Hahn stars as a mother liberated by her son’s departure to college in the promising looking Mrs Fletcher (HBO Nordic; Oct 25); Richard Gere took his first TV role since Kojak in 1976 to take the lead in acclaimed UK miniseries MotherFatherSon (C More; Oct 8) as a media mogul, but complained it was too knackering to make eight movies back to back; and three young men lose a valued pal in A Million Little Things (C More; Oct 23), but do we really care about somebody who has so little screen time?

That, after all, is why we care so much about Jesse and whooped when he was ‘breaking’ free. Please don’t leave us on a bad note.

Danish is not a piece of cake

Language learning made yummy Learning a new language can be quite a mouthful. But don’t lose your appetite just yet. When it comes to language teaching, Studieskolen is the crème de la crème. We know how to serve it.

Enjoy our full assortment of classes at studieskolen.dk Check out what’s cooking at Studieskolen