CPH Post Newspaper: 14 January - 10 February 2022

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CPHPOST.DK 14 Jan - 10 Feb 2022

It’s astonishing to think that this 18th century landmark cost the equivalent of 20 palaces, and it’s not even a building!

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New growth for M4 Two options for Nordhavn Metro expansion outlined

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ALEKSANDAR S MASTILO

UNIVERSITY OF CPH

DENMARK Corona cases in care homes increasing despite booster

3 SCIENCE

Bad wind year Renewable contribution to energy falls below 50 percent

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CULTURE Danish film could land unprecedented Oscar triple

8 LIFESTYLE

Exteriors aren't everything The inside-out approach to sourcing high-quality fashion

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BEST ... AND WORST OF 2021 Most popular on Google

Russia condemned

All change since January 1

Domestic flight goal

‘EM’ (EURO 2020) was the most common Google search of 2021, with ‘Christian Eriksen’ third. The pandemic was not far behind, with ‘Coronatest’ second, ‘Coronapas’ fifth and ‘Vaccinationskalender’ seventh.

‘Indefrosne feriepenge’ (frozen holiday money) was fourth.

Outside Denmark, ‘Christian Eriksen’ was the most common search in Italy and third most popular in the UK.

THE FOREIGN minister, Jeppe Kofod, has been critical of Russia of late, condemning its closure of the Memorial International human rights institution, deployment of troops alongside its border with Ukraine and approval of Mali hiring mercenaries from one of its companies.

SINCE January 1, gender-motivated attacks have been classified as hate crimes, cigarette prices have risen by 5 kroner, speeding fines have risen 20 percent, helmets have become mandatory for scooter riders, child support been split between parents with joint custody, the 'blank media tax' has been abolished, and the window for defective purchase complaints has been extended from six to twelve months.

PM METTE Frederiksen has announced a fossil fuel-free goal for all domestic flights by 2030 – even though the technology is not yet available to achieve the goal. “Denmark must keep on raising the bar,” she said in her New Year address.

Non-EU salary revision PM METTE Frederiksen is open to lowering the amount limit – the salary that all non-EU recruits must be paid – reportedly from 445,000 to 360,000 kroner as a suitable amount. The likes of Dansk Industri contend the limit is holding the economy back, as Danish companies made 158,000 failed attempts at recruiting labour in the second half of 2021.

Great for expectant parents COPENHAGEN is the world’s seventh best city for expectant parents, according to a William Russell ranking that evaluated factors such as leave, pre-school costs, fertility rates, health and safety. Reykjavik topped the ranking, and Japanese cities accounted for five of the top 13.

World’s most sustainable COPENHAGEN is the world’s most sustainable city according to a GetSmarter report that reserved special praise for the “innovative” Amager Bakke incinerator.

Not white enough DENMARK did not officially have its first White Christmas since 2010, even though snow lay across 70-80 percent of the country. The required amount on December 24 is 90 percent; in the UK, a single snowflake is all that is needed! In related news, it was the fifth warmest autumn since records started back in 1874.

Unhealthier day by day A UNIVERSITY of Copenhagen study confirms our eating choices get unhealthier as the year progresses. Our resolve to diet and drink kale smoothies is strong in January, according to 2012-17 supermarket data, but soon weakens.

Biggest threats ACCORDING to the Danish Defence threat evaluation report, the biggest threats to Denmark are: cyberattacks, terrorism, tensions in the Arctic, increased Russia and China aggression, and growing insecurity in the Sahel, the Middle East and Afghanistan.

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LOCAL

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

Onwards and upwards for airport

ONLINE THIS WEEK CITY HALL’S open-air program ‘Vie i det fri’ will include 24 events across 15 locations in 2022. Event options include the Copenhagen Light Festival or the capital’s hosting of the Tour de France.

Locations include Superkilen, Glyptoteket, Kastellet, the Maersk Tower and at the Royal Theatre with an actor dressed up as H C Andersen performing the nuptials.

New city district POSTBYEN, a new car-free district located between Copenhagen Central Station and Dybbølsbro Station, is expected to open in 2027. Residents will have access to an 88,500 sqm underground carpark. Danica Pension and DSB are co-owners of the area, while Danske Bank and ATP are committed to taking residency.

All clear down below THE CONSTRUCTION of the man-made island Lynetteholm has got the all-clear from Viking Ship Museum marine archaeologists, who have combed the area for finds of cultural historical interest. The vision of the island will be fully realised in 2070, but it could have occupants and a working Metro as early as 2035.

Big Mjølnerparken sale SOME 260 apartments in the Mjølnerparken housing estate – equating to approximately half of its residences – are being sold to the private property company NREP. It promises to renovate the flats with added balconies, but promises they will remain affordable.

Huge plans to expand suggest industry has seen the worst of corona

cancel about 60 of 600 flights in the build-up to Christmas due to sickness among its employees.

BEN HAMILTON

Shorter flights in vogue ACCORDING to Momondo, people in Denmark currently favour shorter plane trips, with no room for perennial favourites New York and Bangkok on last year’s top ten, which consisted of Malaga, Paris, Mallorca, London, Rome, Barcelona, Istanbul, Dubai, Beirut and Berlin.

However, the US topped the list of countries that had the most searches for trips to Denmark, followed by the UK, Germany, France and Spain.

C

OPENHAGEN Airport has confirmed its expansion plans following a broad political agreement concerning the framework for its development.

The seven-year, 4.5 billion kroner expansion will enable improved security, better access to public transport, improved facilities for airlines, larger baggage claim and passport control areas, and adjustments to runways and hangars to offer more accommodation to more preferable aircraft – i.e less noisy, more fuel-efficient.

Healthy December numbers RECENT business has been good. Despite the escalation of corona, the airport reported an airline cancellation rate of no more than 2 percent for December, which is no more than normal.

However, SAS was forced to

Ryanair retreating IRISH budget operator Ryanair is one of the few airlines to cancel a lot of Danish flights. Since January 10, 28 of its 59 routes out of Danish airports have been suspended.

However, while Billund has seen 19 routes impacted, only two to Copenhagen have been suspended, and four to Aarhus and three to Aalborg.

CHRISTIAN WENANDE

L

OCAL POLITICIANS at City Hall have agreed to look into the possibility of extending the M4 Metro line deeper into the Nordhavn waterfront area.

The city is investigating options for two possible extensions of the line, which currently ends at Orientkaj Station.

One of the possibilities will extend the line to Levantkaj and then Nordhavn C. The other will extend to Levantkaj and then on to Krydstogtskaj and Fiskerikaj.

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“Annoying” din RESIDENTS in Nordhavn can look forward to six weeks of noisy construction work from January 10, as a 100-metre stretch of canal is being laid out to cross Sundmolen in the vicinity of Pakhus 53. The sound is generally described as “annoying”.

Eight, soon nine

The only way is UP

Prime spot up for grabs IN RELATED news, the lease on a piece of land located at the end of Amager Landevej, where visitors can watch planes take off and land at Copenhagen Airport, is up for grabs for 6.9 million kroner. On top of the payment, the monthly rent is 25,000 kroner.

Since 1991, it has housed Flyvergrillen, an experience venue that offers guests a barbecue and playground facilities, which is also the seller. Over the summer, it tends to be sold out weeks in advance.

Nordhavn Metro extension options Both proposed lines head to Levantkaj, but then they diverge

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Fairy-tale wedding

Editorial offices: Holbergsgade 24 kld 1057 Copenhagen Denmark

14 January - 10 February 2022

In time for 2030 THE EXTENSION analysis is expected to take 12-14 months and the result will be presented to City Hall along with a recommended option.

The Nordhavn extension is scheduled to be completed sometime in 2030 By 2062, it will service about 35,000 residents and 28,000 jobs.

CITY HALL has opened a new bathing zone on Havnegade that is ideally suited to winter bathing. Another zone is due to open at Teglholm Brygge in the spring, taking the total number in Copenhagen to nine.

Hipster pissoir A NEW PUBLIC toilet will open at Sortedam Dosseringen 1 to accommodate visitors to Dronning Louise Bro. The Nørrebro bridge, a major draw for hipsters and tourists, has a bad rep for its lack of facilities. However, they might have to hold on until the autumn!

Capital’s worst driver A 28-YEAR-OLD man had three cars confiscated last year - out of a total of 47 seized in the Capital Region. His offences included driving without a licence, without a seatbelt, whilst intoxicated, and at 147 km/h in a 70 zone.

Huge investment PENSIONDANMARK plans to invest 1 billion kroner into building new facilities for Hotel- og Restaurantskolen on Vigerslev Allé in Valby, which could be completed by 2025.

The new complex will include 435 new homes.

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14 January - 10 February 2022

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IMMIGRANTS are far more likely to live in poverty than people of Danish ethnicity, according to the 2021 Indvandrere i Danmark report released

by Danmarks Statistik. Some 19 percent of people from non-Western countries and 9 percent of people from Western countries do so – compared to just 3 percent of people of Danish origin.

More learning Danish THERE has been a 78 percent increase in people learning Danish since the government made the classes free again, confirms the Immigration Ministry.

Subsidised modules cost 2,000 kroner between January 2018 and July 2020. In related news, the government has earmarked 40 million kroner for improving German and French language skills among university students.

Kids hurt by fireworks OF THE 174 people injured by fireworks in Denmark on December 31 and January 1, 40 percent were children, according to the annual count carried out

by Ulykkes Analyse Gruppen at Odense Universitetshospital.

There were 24 fatalities. In related news, 46 percent of Danes support a firework ban, according to a Megafon poll.

World’s highest taxes DENMARK has the highest tax burden of any OECD nation, according to a new report. The average burden per tax-payer is 46.5 percent, placing it ahead of France (45.4). The average annual income in Denmark is around 290,000 kroner.

Growth in hate crimes EVERY fifth victim of violence has indicated it was a hate crime, according to a new Ministry of Justice survey. Hate crimes includes crimes related to racism, sexual orientation, religious beliefs and, since January 1, gender identity. There are between 8,300 and 15,100 every year.

Fourth jab might be the answer given that the booster loses most of its efficacy after three months BEN HAMILTON

O

NLY 49 PEOPLE under the age of 50 have died in Denmark as a result of contracting corona since the pandemic started in early 2020, compared to 103 in their 50s, 295 in their 60s and 2,915 aged over 70.

Corona caused 33 deaths at the nation’s nursing homes last week – up from 13 in the previous week. However, the death rate was 5 percent – a significant drop from the 20 percent rate experienced this time last year.

Elderly still a priority THE AUTHORITIES have unsurprisingly prioritised helping the elderly to avoid infection.

Among the first to get vaccinated last January, they were the first to get the boosters in the autumn.

So the news that the booster loses most of its effectiveness at warding off the omicron strain after three months is a worry – particularly as the infection rate

among the country’s 40,000 nursing home residents is soaring.

In Week 52, there were 596 new cases, compared to 193 in Week 51, according to Statens Serum Institut (SSI). And it doesn’t take rocket science to work out that they account for the majority of the 10-15 people dying every day since mid-December.

The news that a fourth jab has been given to a group of arthritis patients in Aarhus suggests the calvary might be coming, but will they be in time to prevent hundreds more from dying?

Stronger immunity ACCORDING to Tyra Grove Krause, the head of the Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Prevention department at Statens Serum Institut, the third jab improves the recipient’s odds of not contracting the omicron by 54 percent. Over half the population have had the booster.

Krause is optimistic the current wave will improve the country’s overall immunity and that infection numbers, currently in the low 20,000s, will start to level out at the end of the month.

PIXABAY

Higher poverty risk

Elderly still dying in large numbers

Third jab not enough for many

Cultural venues, meanwhile, such as cinemas and theatres, will reopen on January 17, albeit with tighter restrictions than before.

Care of the young too THE NUMBER of people in hospital with corona stood at 754 on Tuesday, and there has been no significant increase of late. The healthcare system starts to buckle when the figure reaches 900-950.

Since January 1, 18 to 39-yearolds have been able to get the booster jab providing 4.5 months have passed since their second jab.

Meanwhile, 530 children under the age of five have been hospitalised during the pandemic, confirms SSI. Conversely, while children require smaller beds, they take up more space, as they need to be isolated for precautionary reasons.

CORONA IN NUMBERS

ONLINE THIS WEEK

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Secretly in custody THE HEAD of Danish military intelligence, Lars Findsen, has secretly been in custody since December 9 after being charged with leaking classified material.

His custody was confirmed just days ago. Four other current and former intelligence workers were also arrested by Danish police last month.

Same-sex father boost A CITIZENS' proposal to grant same-sex fathers equal rights to those of same-sex mothers has received over 65,000 signatures in just two days, qualifying it for debate in Parliament. Currently, a child’s birth certificate can list two mothers, but not two fathers.

Pirate being extradited A SUSPECTED pirate, detained in the Gulf of Guinea after a firefight between a motorboat and the Danish frigate ‘The Esben Snare’ on November 24, is being extradited to Denmark to stand trial. Four of his associates died during the battle, but no Danish personnel were injured. Meanwhile, The Esbern Snare has seen more action: the suspected kidnapping of six merchant seamen.

- Corona passes are now valid for five months for those who have contracted the virus or received both their vaccination jabs. No decision has been made regarding booster recipients yet - The time period between contracting corona and regaining your corona pass is being shortened from 14 to 11 days - The unvaccinated account for 57 percent of intensive care patients, according to a RKKP report - During the first week of December, 26 under-fives were admitted, but this rose to 85 during the final week of the year - Omicron reportedly caused 18 deaths between November 18 and December 28, but SSI cannot be sure - SSI has revealed that 23 percent of all corona inpatients in December were hospitalised due to another diagnosis - A Facebook group, ‘Digital Civil Ulydighed’ (digital civil disobedience’), recently encouraged its 1,500 members to sign up for vaccinations and then not turn up to the appointments - Selected pharmacies and GPs in all five regions can now vaccinate the public

Bid for clean concerts

Afghanistan report

Were they drunken sailors? New Danish passport

Huge sign expenditure

A BROAD majority of Parliament has agreed to commission a new report that investigates Denmark’s civil and military efforts in Afghanistan since 2001, In related news, 168 million kroner has been earmarked to help Danish NGOs battling the critical food and human rights situation in Afghanistan.

ALCOHOL may have been a factor in the collision involving the British cargo vessel ‘The Scot Carrier’ and the Danish barge ‘The Karin Høj’ in December, which caused the death of a Danish sailor in Swedish waters northwest of Bornholm. Two members of the ‘Scot Carrier’, a Croatian national and a British citizen, were arrested.

THE GOVERNMENT is spending millions of kroner on raising the white road-signs at the limits of every town and city to a minimum height of one and a half metres above the ground before August 2022. The rules are the result of a 10-year-old executive order and, so far, 220 city signs have been replaced.

PASSPORTS will be harder to copy in the future thanks to a new design that includes motifs of the Danish Commonwealth’s 31 largest islands on the visa pages. Additionally, the font has been changed and the Jelling Stone/Christ coat of arms on the cover has been given a more prominent place. The colour, though, is unchanged.

A NEW PROPOSAL from Dansk Folkeparti would require musicians to present a clean criminal record to perform a concert in Denmark. DF wants to target Swedish and Danish gang members who produce music glorifying criminal life. However, the likes of Medina and rapper Topgunn would be affected as they have criminal records.

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COVER

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

14 January - 10 February 2022

Five Danes of the Year … and a handful who’d rather forget 2021

BEN HAMILTON

W

E’RE REVIEWING the situation … try not to get your knickers in a twist about our choices.

Starting with this assortment of achievers and sometime deceivers, we’re doing our best to pay tribute to those who really stood out in 2021 – even if it wasn’t always for the right reasons.

The human condition ON PAGE 5, it’s the turn of the politicians, page 7 the breakthrough scientists, page 9 the theatre world trailblazers – something of a niche area for us – and on page 11 the sports people of the year.

But before all of that, let’s focus less on expertise and more on the human condition. Read on to find out the ten Danes who have truly surpassed our expectations … in either a good or a bad way.

BOTTOM FIVE

1 MIKKEL BORG BJERGSØ One can only imagine that Mikkeller founder Mikkel Borg Bjergsø, once the toast of the Danish beer scene, spends most of his time with his head in his hands these days.

His long overdue apology on October 18 for “not acknowledging responsibility” for the toxic workplace environment at the brewery giant was finally a step in the right direction, after

TOP FIVE 1 THOMAS VINTERBERG As the film director picked up the Best International Feature Oscar for ‘Druk’ dressed in a splendid white suit, his initial quip, “This is bigger than anything I could have imagined – apart from the fact that I have always imagined this”, offered no clues that he was about to make the most poignant tribute to his daughter Ida, who tragically died shortly before filming begun.

"This is a film about letting go of control in life as I lost control in my own," he said. "We ended up making this movie for her as a monument. If she had been here today, she would be clapping and cheering. Ida, it's a miracle that this just happened. This one's for you.”

It was as if the whole nation had felt for him, held him and kept him steady as he spoke.

2 SIMON KJÆR He’s always been a colossus at the back, whether it’s in La Liga or Serie A, but in 2021, the years of bullying and harassment went unchecked. For years, his brother, Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergsø, had jokingly been portrayed as the bad guy – Jeppe even called his own brewery Evil Twin – but now we know different.

2 PATRICK NIELSEN The tragedy of the downfall of boxer Patrick Nielsen, who in early December was sentenced to a year in prison for aggravated violence and threats against his ex-girlfriend, is not so much his crimes, but his choices. Still just 30, the former WBA interim middleweight title contender could be at the peak of his career, but instead he’s doing bird. But let’s not pity the guy too much.

After strangling and hitting his girlfriend in the face, he pressed

true measure of national football team captain Simon Kjær came to the fore when talisman Christian Eriken collapsed with a cardiac arrest shortly before half-time in Denmark’s opening game of Euro 2020. Kjær’s actions, as he swiftly ensured Eriksen’s air passage was clear and then orchestrated a human wall to ensure his privacy from the watching millions, epitomised Danish empathy and decency, turning a moment of tragedy into one of immense patriotism. The nation were in that wall too, every one of them willing Eriksen to pull through.

And the winner was life itself.

3 NURSES They battle on in their wards while we retreat to our warm homes, in a constant case of alert in case one slip might give them corona, and how do we reward them: a measly 5 percent pay rise over three years. And when they say no, we’re not going to take that, we’re going on strike, his foot into her neck until she fainted. And then he sent messages to her family threatening them.

3 JES DORPH-PETERSEN #MeToo continued where it left off in 2020 and after Naser Khader (see opposite page), its biggest victim was TV2 host Jes Dorph-Petersen, who lost his job with ‘Go after live’ after historic allegations emerged that he had sexually harassed two former journalism interns 20 years ago. He wouldn’t go quietly though, maintaining he had done nothing wrong. But within TV2, it was felt any kind of relationship between TV host and intern would be an unequal one.

A transcript of a chat between Dorph-Petersen and lawyer

DSR/SØREN SVENDSEN

On the face of it, the past year has been less eventful due to corona, but that hasn’t stopped some individuals from really standing out – but not always for the right reasons!

Time for a revision of their pay, not derision for their demands

but gently because we care about people, the government steamrolls them like it’s some kind of joke. They haven’t given up, but every time they strike their pay is docked. It’s no way to treat heroes working on the frontline.

Forget the police, it’s the nurses who are saving our arses. Remember to show your gratitude!

4 RENÉ REDZEPI The Noma chef and co-founder is world-class and 2021 proved to be another stellar career with his eatery claiming its fifth World’s Best Restaurant crown following four titles in five years from 2010-14. Everything this man does is ahead of the curve, whether it’s serving his diners ants, making one of his dishYvonne Frederiksen emerged in which the host was told that TV2 could justly “fucking demand that its hosts are immaculate in the way they act, because they are its outward face”.

4 CECILIE BECK Looks like #MeToo finally has a female victim: 51-year-old TV2 news host Cecilie Beck, who in December let it slip to a ‘friend’ that she “banged” an intern on a work trip in 2016. “I actually have no idea what the company rules say about that kind of thing,” she texted her ex-mate, according to Ekstra Bladet. “Can you slap the interns?” Beck’s admission is particularly priceless as not long ago she participated in the TV2 documentary 'Metoo: Sexism behind the screen', in

washers a partner in the business or completely reinventing his business. He is revered and emulated, but none can rival him.

Noma is a byword for excellence, nothing less.

5 CROWN PRINCESS MARY It’s been a good year for the royal, even though it did end with her catching a dose of corona.

Her shining moment came in August, when as the patron of Copenhagen 2021, she tirelessly supported the huge LGBTI+ event in both the capital and Malmo. There’s no doubt that having Crown Princess Mary as its figurehead raised the profile of the occasion, to the extent that comparisons with Lady Di are becoming the norm. which she complained that “the sexualised tone roughly permeated the entire news organisation”.

5 ALVA MADSEN If the holier than thou were looking for somebody to vent their corona anger at, they found one pretty quickly back in January in the form of ‘Fars pige’ star Alva Madsen, who gleefully told DR she was holidaying in Dubai because Denmark was depressing. Of course, she looked quite fetching in her black bikini in the Dubai sun – just the tonic for furious masochistic trolls to launch those fingers into overdrive. “I was a little tired of the weather at home,” she told media in between plugging her make-up brand. “I’m at no greater risk of being infected here than in Denmark.”

COVER

14 January - 10 February 2022

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Five Politicians of the Year: It can be a fine line … just ask the PM! EJVIND SANDAL

T

HE BAD outweighed the good in Parliament in 2021, as there was nothing exemplary to comment on.

It’s true that Konservative had a good local election, but it was more of a case of other parties having a terrible one.

In the shadow of misbehaving peers, a few politicians stood out for being tidy – mostly newly-appointed leaders still on their honeymoon.

Political convictions alright!

FLIPPING the coin, this year saw a record number of politicians in court.

Inquiries, an impeachment and fraud – while some managed to avoid it, the trial by media was no less forgiving.

The upshot? Some of our top five could have been in the bottom five had it been a cleaner year!

BOTTOM FIVE

TOP FIVE 1 SØREN PAPE POULSEN THE LEADER of Konservative has surprised everybody. Mainly by doing nothing. He has been sitting on his hands, watching his support grow and grow. In itself it is a positive that a Konservative leader is a homosexual married to a non-white man. He is the living illustration of the liberal values absent across a political divide fighting tooth and nail to be the most austerity-driven on foreigners. With his party tied with Venstre in the polls, Søren Pape Poulsen is a serious contender to become PM after the next general election. Bookies slashed his odds from 10/1 to 7/2 after Konservative’s strong showing in the local elections.

2 PERNILLE VERMUND SOME 25 years after a certain blonde-haired woman emerged on the far-right, another is finding her way. With more supporters

than Dansk Folkeparti, the party of her natural predecessor, Pernille Vermund offers austerity without compromise. With the look of a smiling assassin, she is a beacon for those who are against everything. Whether this will bring her any real influence remains to be seen.

3 SOFIE CARSTEN NIELSEN RADIKALE leader Sofie Carsten Nielsen spent 2021 being loyal to the PM, but there had been warning signs, so it was no surprise last week when she confirmed her party would not support a Socialdemokratiet majority government again.

Intriguingly, she hinted that a future government could have ministers from both S and Venstre, or Konservative and SF, confirming our prediction that Radikale will be a decisive kingmaker at the next election – very possibly in Konservative or Venstre’s favour.

Pape's looking dapper

4 ALEX VANOPSLAGH HE’S HANDSOME and his name is hard to pronounce, and few can deny that Liberal Alliance’s 30-year-old leader Alex Vanopslagh has been making quite an impression. Common sense attitudes and sharp comments such as: “Corona did not kill the minks, the PM did” are helping to revive a party most had written off after the last election.

5 METTE FREDERIKSEN THE PM enjoyed record air-

time in 2021, chiefly at the helm of the corona storm, but also deflecting questions about deleted Minkgate texts. With her pointed nose and schoolteacher hairdo, she’s told us what to do and we’ve clicked our heels and said “Yes Madam”. Overall, it says a lot about her success that she could go on a mysterious escapade trip to Israel, hand-inhand with the corrupt Austrian chancellor, to visit a possibly corrupt Israeli PM.

a party for the time being – and there has been no talk of ousting him like Støjberg.

conviction of fraud in August – a conviction now void after it emerged the judge was biased.

only confirmed what we already knew: a party on its knees after misfire after misfire.

2 NASER KHADER ALSO EXPELLED, but only from his party, is Nasar Khader, but then again, this isn’t the first time. So far he has represented three as an MP: Radikale, Liberal Alliance and Konservative!

Accused of being a sex pest, the latter was quick to wash its hands.

But several months later, he has not been convicted of anything, so don’t rule out a comeback. He remains an MP - unattached to

3 MORTEN MESSERCHMIDT THE POLITICAL career of the darling of Dansk Folkeparti was on the precipice approaching Christmas when we made this list, but since then he’s won the right to a retrial and all but won the DF leadership contest on January 23. Nevertheless, 2021 will not go down as one of his better years and few could see a way back following his

4 KRISTIAN T DAHL THE RESIGNING leader must bear the brunt of the responsibility for Dansk Folkeparti’s declining fortunes – a far cry from 2015 when it was the leading party in a blue bloc majority.

The rot set in when DF declined the opportunity to form a government, and every year has seen its support weaken. In truth, the disastrous local election in 2021

5 KRISTIAN HEGAARD THE DISABLED politician, the law and order spokesperson for Radikale, was a well-known profile in Parliament – after all, his presence required special installations for his wheelchair. But in August he resigned following a law and order incident of his own: drunk, disorderly, and his hands all over somebody else who did not appreciate it.

Four in contention

60 days in stir for cake lover

POLITICS NEWS Blame ministry, not me!

Blue bloc’s good year

Punching above weight

MORTEN Messerschmidt is the favourite to become Dansk Folkeparti leader on January 23 when delegates vote for a successor to Kristian Thulesen Dahl. In December his August conviction for fraud was overturned after evidence emerged the judge was biased. His rivals in the contest are: Martin Henriksen, Merete Dea Larsen and Erik Høgh-Sørensen.

INGER Støjberg, the former immigration minister, was shocked when she was sentenced to 60 days in prison on December 13. The Supreme Court, by a margin of 25 judges to one, found her guilty of violating the Ministerial Accountability Act when she decided in 2016 that minors should not be allowed to stay in asylum centres together with their spouse or cohabitant.

UNDER interrogation in the witness stand, PM Mette Frederiksen said her primary motivation behind the swift killing of the country’s mink in November 2020 was Denmark’s international reputation. She became aware there was no legal basis for the order on November 8 – four days after the decision – blaming the issue on the Food and Agriculture Ministry.

THE BLUE bloc would win 84 of Parliament’s 175 seats in a general election today – up from 79 in 2019. Konservative (up nearly 10 percentage points on 2019 to 16 percent) and Nye Borgerlige (up 1.2 to 7.5) have led the charge. However, some of their increased support has come from Dansk Folkeparti, which has seen its support nearly halved from 8.7 to 4.8 percent.

DENMARK’S first ever tenure on the UN Human Rights Council has come to an end after three years. The foreign minister, Jeppe Kofod, has been quick to hail the success of its debut, commending its efforts in the areas of children’s rights, civil rights, female empowerment, fighting torture, opposing child marriages, and opposing human rights violations in the likes of Belarus.

1 INGER STØJBERG SO STUBBORN was the former minister in her denial that she had done anything wrong by deliberately separating young couples in the refugee centres that she ended up with a sentence of 60 days in prison. She said she was protecting child brides, but the truth is that most of the married couples were no younger than many Danish couples. She has also been expelled from Parliament, thus complet-

ing an annus horribilis to rival the worst in history.

KONSERVATIVE FOLKEPARTI/ANDREAS HOUMANN

A quick glance at these lists confirms that a good 2021 was not getting into trouble

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SCIENCE

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14 January - 10 February 2022

Historically bad year for wind power KIM HANSEN

Plastic bag goal achieved ACCORDING to Dansk Erhverv, the average person in Denmark only used 32 plastic bags in 2021 – down from 59 in 2017 and four years ahead of schedule in relation to an EU directive that stipulates that all member states should average under 40 bags per citizen by 2025. In total, Denmark consumed 183 million – down from 343 million in 2017.

Gonorrhea soaring GONORRHEA cases increased by 5 percent from 2019 to 2020, according to Statens Serum Institut. In total, there were 3,464 cases.

Homosexual men accounted for 55 percent of cases. Age bracket wise, men aged 30-39 and women aged 20-24 accounted for the most cases.

Cornea knowhow DTU RESEARCHERS have developed a model that studies how a human cornea thrives best after a transplant. Some 600 corneal transplants are performed annually in Denmark – primarily involving Rigshospitalet.

"Talk about leaving us hanging. Where's Katrina, Sandy and Ida when you need them"

2022 should be a lot better thanks to the new Kriegers Flak wind farm, predicts Energinet LENA HUNTER

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HE LEVEL of wind energy supply in the Danish power system fell by 10 percent in 2021 due to a “historically bad” year of wind speeds, according to Jesper Kronborg, a senior business developer at energy company Energinet.

Wind supply's contribution saw a “noticeable decrease” from

46.5 to 43.6 percent between 2020 and 2021 – despite the 600MW Kriegers Flak offshore project coming online during the last year.

The effects of the decline were exacerbated by an increase in electricity consumption in Denmark of almost 5 percent from 2020-21, contributing to a lower wind share, added Kronborg.

Set to pick up in 2022 BUT THE Energinet spokesman is optimistic. “With the Kriegers Flak offshore wind farm

in full operation, and if next year becomes a fairly normal wind year, we can expect to supply 50 percent of the country’s power with renewable energy in 2022,” he said.

In total, renewables contributed 47.2 percent of Denmark’s power in 2021.

It was a record year for solar power production, which accounted for 3.6 percent of the total national energy supply, up from 3.4 percent in 2020 – despite 10 percent fewer sunshine hours during the year.

HIV’s negligible effect

More trust in media

Novo funding

MICROSOFT and DTU are the best companies in Denmark to work in IT. They topped the annual IT Company Rank, which is compiled by Ingeniørens Mediehus based on the opinions of IT professionals.

MOST PEOPLE with HIV develop antibodies after two corona jabs: 98 percent compared to 99 percent of healthy Danes, according to studies. About 6,600 people live with HIV in Denmark. In related news, a new AI tool called BIFROST that makes it possible to predict the structure of proteins faster should enable the development of future corona vaccines, according to a University of Copenhagen study.

THE ANNUAL report 'The Danes' use of news media 2021', which was carried out by Roskilde University and the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism in Oxford, found that trust in the Danish press rose from 46 to 59 percent from 2020 to 2021 – the highest rate since 2016. Usage of traditional news media increased last year – particularly among the 18-24 age group where it rose by some 10 percent.

NOVO NORDISK Foundation has granted 2.2 billion kroner to create an international stem-cell research centre – a collaboration between the University of Copenhagen, Murdoch Children's Research Institute in Australia and the Leiden University Medical Centre in the Netherlands.

The research into repairing damaged tissue with lab-grown cells will be used in the treatment of incurable diseases.

More drug residues

Gold in them fields

Greenlandic gene variant

RESEARCHERS at the University of Southern Denmark have found that levels of drug residues are increasing in drinking water due to the addition of urine containing medication to the waste system. According to a report

by DANVA, the trace drugs are derived mainly from antibiotics, antidepressants, hormones, anti-inflammatory drugs and medicines for cardiovascular diseases.

A MONTH rarely goes by without archeological discoveries and December was no different. A 446 gram gold neck ring found near Esbjerg dates back 1,400-1,700 years. While a gold ear-ring found near Lemvig, which experts believe was originally crafted in Egypt, was most probably gifted by the Byzantium emperor to his Viking bodyguard. In both cases, only ten exist in the whole world.

ACCORDING to researchers at the Department of Biology at the University of Copenhagen, 3 percent of Greenlanders have a gene variant, the result of the native low-sugar diet, which causes sugar to be metabolised in the colon, rather than absorbed into the bloodstream. Those with the variant generally have a reduced appetite and lower BMI, weight, fat percentage and cholesterol levels.

INSPIRED by grasshoppers, researchers from the University of Southern Denmark have developed gentle robot grippers that can handle foods and save 20 percent of energy costs. Four other countries are also involved in the research.

Heart valve success AT AARHUS University Hospital, a new type of treatment for a heart-valve leak using a 10cmlong ‘Cardioband’, carried up to the heart via a blood vessel in the groin, has been successfully performed on a 77-year-old heart-transplant patient.

Wetland failures A UNIVERSITY of Copenhagen study of restored wetlands on Funen shows that plant biodiversity remains poor even after 17 years of recovery. In Denmark, more than 200 wetlands have been restored in the last 25 years under the assumption they will support populations of rare plants.

Narwhals stressed by noise

Best for IT workers

Grasshopper inspiration

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A STUDY by the University of Copenhagen and the Greenland Institute of Nature has found that narwhals are negatively affected by noise from ships and seismic air cannons from up to 30 km away. The sounds trigger stress, which prevents the narwhals from using echolocation to forage, causing them to linger near the surface or close to shore.

Liver cancer breakthrough A NEW ALPPS technique for operating on liver cancer patients may help 50 percent more and extend patient lives from the 26 months median survival to 46 months. The technique involves surgeons cutting the cancerous liver in two and fertilising the healthy part of the liver, which can double in size within a week.

Carnivore cancer risk A STUDY by the University of Southern Denmark concludes that all mammals can get cancer, with carnivores being significantly more prone.

Messy eater research UNIVERSITY of Copenhagen researchers have been discovering how messy eaters, such as monkeys, attract other animals every time they feed.

Drones a great saver THE SDU project Drones4Energy has demonstrated that drones could replace the time-consuming manual inspection of high-voltage cables, which cost millions of kroner annually – not least because they often require helicopters.

7 In review: Top five Danish scientific discoveries of the year COVER

14 January - 10 February 2022

LENA HUNTER

T

HE YEAR-THAT-WENT was one of general precarity, as fragile attempts at economic recovery were steamrolled by fresh waves of COVID, Meanwhile, the arts industries squared up to asphyxiating restrictions, while meeting friends to soothe the nerves was marred by anxiety and awkward distancing.

Science thriving BUT NECESSITY is the mother of invention and, in the face of all the challenges, science has thrived.

In Denmark, the world’s first wind-energy island was proposed (and South Korea quickly followed suit), a new species of whale was identified, and a dodgy GPS signal led to the accidental discovery of the world’s most northerly island.

Biggest impact THE BIGGEST revelations hit the headlines far beyond Denmark’s borders.

Selected for their impact, innovation and socio-cultural significance, here are Denmark’s top five most exciting scientific discoveries of 2021.

TOP FIVE 1 Innovative chip resolves quantum computing headache In October, two young physicists at the University of Copen-

hagen put us a step closer to building the first large, functional quantum computer. A little background: the brain of a supercomputer is made up of memory devices called qubits.

While an ordinary bit can store data in a state of either 1 or 0, a qubit can reside in both states simultaneously – known as quantum superposition. Until now, researchers have managed to build small circuits, in which only one qubit can be operated at once. So it was hailed as a global milestone when Professor Federico Fedele and Assistant Professor Anasua Chatterjee simultaneously operated and measured multiple ‘spin qubits’ on the same quantum chip – the entirety of which was no larger than a single bacterium.

2 Broad horizons for broad beans Broad beans are rich in protein, easy to grow and Jamie Oliver – the standard marker of populist cuisine – makes a dip out of them. But they also produce vicin – poisonous to over 400 million people in the world who are predisposed to the hereditary disorder favism.

For these people, primarily in Asia, Africa and the Mediterranean countries, vicin can trigger acute anemia and liver disorders.

In July, researchers in Copenhagen and Aarhus isolated the gene responsible for forming vicin in broad beans, paving the way for a vicin-free bean

UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN

We made it! 2021 is in the can

Science trailblazers Federico Fedele and Anasua Chatterjee, pictured with colleague Ferdinand Kuemmeth

that could become a major future protein-source … or make a globally appealing appetiser.

southern Jutland on 3 February 2022, before being rehomed in the National Museum.

3 Metal detector rookie finds 1kg trove of ancient gold In an absurd stroke of beginner’s luck, a man called Ole Ginnerup Schytz found fame in September when he picked up a metal detector for the first time and discovered a stunning cache of 6th century gold jewellery near the town of Jelling in Denmark. Experts dubbed it one of the most valuable archaeological finds in Denmark’s history – on a par with the Golden Horns of Gallehus. The hoard’s enormous wealth points to a prolific European trade network and suggests Jelling was a major seat of power. The jewellery will go on display at Vejlemuseerne in

4 ‘Hotrocks’ could spell the end for lithium batteries In May, construction began on GridScale – a remarkable new energy plant on the island of Lolland that can store renewable energy in stone. The method involves super-heating and super-cooling crushed pea-sized basalt in insulated steel tanks.

The stone can store heat for many days and supply energy for up to a week – outperforming lithium batteries on both cost and efficiency. The 35 million kroner plant was quickly dubbed ‘hotrocks’ by the international community and will continue to be a hot topic into 2022, when

moves will be made to integrate it in the Danish national grid.

5 Malaria medicine found to combat COVID-19 In December, researchers at Aarhus University discovered that the malaria medicine Atovaquone can prevent COVID-19 infection. The medicine has a protective effect both before and after infection across different viral variants – meaning it could be used for both prevention and treatment of COVID-19. It’s a big find: Atovaquone is inexpensive, widely available and has already been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. It’s yet to be tested on Omicron, however, and has only been studied using lab-grown human cells.

8

CULTURE

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ONLINE THIS WEEK

14 January - 10 February 2022

Fleeing the Dolby with three statuettes?

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‘Borgen’ back in February

Good year considering

NORMALLY Christmas Day is a good time to bury bad news, but DR used it to confirm the first episode of season four of ‘Borgen’ will air on DR1 on February 13. The eight-episode season will mainly focus on Denmark’s pivotal role in a battle for the Arctic, as other nations converge on Greenland in search of oil. Mikkel Boe Følsgaard from ‘Kastanjemanden’ is a new addition to the cast.

MORE CINEMA tickets were sold in 2021 than in 2016 and 2017, despite all establishments being closed from January 1-May 6 and December 18-31.

Over 2.7 million were sold, with James Bond film ‘No Time to Die’ leading the way with 1.058 million. Danish films, led by ‘Ternet Ninja 2’ (930,000), took five of the top seven spots to command a 40 percent market share.

Minimal noms

Never talk alone

THERE were fewer international nominees among the CPH CULTURE theatre nominations this time around. Both Sue Hansen Styles and Vivienne McKee have been nominated for the Honour Award for their respective work on ‘Happy Days’ and ‘Crazy Christmas Cabaret’, while ‘Happy Days’ director Peter Weiss Dupont has also been shortlisted. The winners will be revealed on February 1.

Artist gives up rights JENS GALSCHIØT has relinquished his right to the copyright of his sculpture 'Pillar of Shame' – a tribute to the victims of the Tiananmen Square massacre – which was removed from its home outside Hong Kong University just before Christmas. Galschiøt received over 40 inquiries from parties interested in making copies and erecting them to draw attention to the fight for democracy in Hong Kong.

TV2 hit by more #MeToo TV2 WAS hit by more #MeToo revelations over the festive period when Information published details of interviews with 13 former employees, who all complained about having to endure a strongly sexualised culture whilst working there.

TV2 was quick to apologise, admitting that the “completely unacceptable” behaviour sounded like it took part in its commercial department.

He can't work out whether he's a cartoon, a docu or a proper film. And his shirt could do with more buttons

Unprecedented nomination triple could set up crazy bid for glory for Danish film BEN HAMILTON

C

OULD JONAS Poher Rasmussen’s animated documentary ‘Flugt’ (‘Flee’) rewrite Oscars history?

Heading into 2022, the Danish film’s chances of an unprecedented triple are growing stronger every day.

Out of 28 awards handed out that it was nominated for, it has won 18, including two European Film Awards on December 10 (Susanne Bier received an honorary prize) for best documentary and animated feature.

the 15-film shortlists for Best International Feature Film and Best Documentary Feature at the Oscars. The final five-film shortlists will be confirmed on February 8.

The bookies already have it pegged as an even money shot to win Best Animated Feature, and second favourite to win Best Documentary.

While tipping site Gold Derby rates ‘Flugt’ as number one for Best Documentary and third and fourth in the animation and international film categories.

winning a triple – a triumph that would be up there with ‘Parasite winning the 2019 awards for Best Picture and Best Foreign Language Film (as it was named then).

Furthermore, with Riz Ahmed and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau onboard to provide the English-language voices, its chances of getting much larger exposure than its rivals have been given a huge boost.

Tipped for three noms MIDWAY through last month, the Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner was shortlisted for the best animated feature award at the Golden Globes, although it did not win.

And then a week later, it made

Emulating ‘Parasite’ SHOULD it be nominated in at least two of these categories, it won’t be the first, as Romanian film ‘Collective’ was nominated for both Best International Feature Film and Best Documentary Feature last year.

Since 2020, both animated and documentary films have been permitted in the Best International Feature Film category.

It raises the possibility of ‘Flugt’

Three other hopes IN RELATED news, Camilla Nielsson's documentary 'President' has also been shortlisted for an Oscar.

While two short films, both produced by M&M Productions – 'Stenofonen' by Nicolaj Kopernikus and 'On My Mind' by Martin Strange-Hansen – have also made the final 15.

But ‘Flugt’ looks the most likely winner, and March 27 will confirm whether Rasmussen flees the Dolby theatre with three statuettes under his arm.

Margrete in charge

Not in love enough?

Two in contention

‘MARGRETE den første’ has received the most Robert nominations – Denmark’s answer to the Oscars, which will be awarded on February 5. In total, it received 13 nominations. ‘Kastanjemanden’ is the leading TV production with six nominations. One peculiarity: Sabine Hviid has three nods for Best Set Design, but sod's law, the ‘Margrete den første’ nominee will probably win.

LEGENDARY 1970s bands Toto and 10cc will take the stage together at Paradepladsen in Viborg on August 11 and at Royal Arena on August 13.

Tickets cost 600 kroner. In related news, David Bowie's artistic swansong ‘Lazarus’ will be performed from January 21 until March 6 at Skuespilhuset.

TWO DANISH films have been shortlisted for prizes at the Sundance Film Festival, which will take place from January 20-30.

Simon Lereng Wilmont's 'A House Made of Splinters' is in contention to win the World Cinema Documentary Competition, while Christian Tafdrup's horror film 'Speak No Evil' is competing in the Midnight category.

TWO LIVERPOOL legends, Kevin Keegan and Robbie Fowler, are bringing their live show to Brøndbyhallen on October 1. Keegan and Fowler, playing in the 1970s and 90s, bookend the era of Liverpool dominance of English and European football. In other news, Jordan B Peterson is giving a lecture at KB Hallen on June 9. Tickets to see the outspoken opponent of wokeism cost 445 kroner.

Female version of classic VISITORS to Samtaleværelse at the Danish Parliament can view Herman Vedel's painting of the 30 ‘fathers’ of the 1915 Constitution, which gave women the right to vote. Now a female version has been proposed to provide a “better gender balance”, which will be hung in the very same room. PM Mette Frederiksen, Pia Kjærsgaard and Margrethe Vestager are among the 30.

It's a 'No' from Denmark NORWAY and Denmark were the same country until 1814, which explains why institutions in the latter house many of the former’s historical artefacts.

Earlier last year, Norway formally asked for the return of 11 medieval manuscripts, but the Arnamagnæan Commission at the University of Copenhagen has ruled out even a short-term lease due to fears exposure will damage them.

COVER

14 January - 10 February 2022

9

Top five English-language theatre trailblazers: Corona couldn’t hold them back!

BEN HAMILTON & LENA HUNTER

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INEMA ticket sales soared in 2021, despite restrictions rendering almost half of the year as a no-show: from January 1-May 6 and December 18-31 to be exact!

And the same effect was even more noticeable in the theatres, where audiences responded riotously to returning shows such as the latest Crazy Christmas Cabaret instalment ‘Tell Me About It!’ at Tivoli and ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ in the Mechanical, sorry Botanical Gardens in August.

After all, it had been a long break to be apart from old friends and, besides, it’s bad etiquette to shout at the cin-

TOP FIVE 1 TANJA MASTILO Now if this isn’t trail-blazing, what is? In 2021, the Serbian dramatist Tanja Mastilo won a prestigious Reumert – Denmark’s top theatre prize. Mastilo beat off the best of Danish to claim the ‘Playwright of the Year’ award for her script for ‘The Cheyenne Are Leaving’, which was staged in late 2020 by Why Not The-

ema screen about how much you have missed the Fast and Furious franchise.

2022 already looking good CPH POST was glad to see that all the main players are still fighting fit: from Why Not Theatre Production, with such a well acclaimed staging of ‘Happy Days’, and That Theatre Company returning with its original play ‘The Visit’ – had it really been less than two years since it was first performed?

And it is encouraging to see there will be no hesitance in 2022. That Theatre will present ‘Rup-A-Dub-Dub’, another new play from Irish playwright Fergal O’Byrne, from March 16, while London Toast founder Vivienne McKee will be gracing us with ‘Shirley Valentine’ from April 21.

That’s already an awful lot to look forward to, but it’s not a crime to look back. In many ways 2021 was another stellar year for English-language theatre in Copenhagen, and here are our top five trailblazers. atre Company of which she is the resident playwright. “Tanja Mastilo's psychological chamber play in English is steaming with disturbing, intense presence,” applauded the jury. “Raw and poetic lines grow into a refugee nightmare, peeling back the skin of civilization to reveal a bleeding humanity beneath.

Brilliant!” Mastilo might not be the first person well known

by Anglophone audiences to win a Reumert, but as a Serbian who emigrated to Denmark in the 1990s to escape the Yugoslav Wars, she is the most unlikely.

Benjamin Stender, who won Best Newcomer for ‘The Woman in Black’ (That Theatre) in 2013, is a Danish actor. While British thespian Barry McKenna, who was part of the team who won the ‘Stor lille forestilling’ award for ‘Flammens Muse’ in 2008, was already an established director. Mastilo arrived in Denmark with nothing. And now she has a Reumert. She has blazed one hell of a trail for others to follow.

2 REBECCA LANGLEY JENSEN The maid can all too often be the third wheel in August Strindberg’s ‘Miss Julie’, but in Michael Omoke’s between-the-wars adaptation, set among colonial Kenya’s Happy Valley sect of hedonistic aristocrats, Rebecca Langley Jensen took centre stage.

According to our reviewer Lena Hunter, “her well-executed stoicism acted as a canvas against which the play’s colourful arc unfolded”. And that wasn’t her only success, as her play ‘Skamløs’, in which she also performed, was one of the standouts of Afro to the Future, a presentation of eight new writings by black playwrights at Teater Grob in June.

3 CHRIS VINCENT We’d not heard of Danish actor Chris Vincent before, but he is active in Anglophone theatre

circles across Europe, and as the IT boy in ‘Berghain’ he delivered the performance of the CPH Queer Theatre Festival in August. This was a performance that our reviewer Lena Hunter urged audiences to “Embrace it.

Go in your leather, bring a collar and a leash, wear a strap-on!

Or whatever. Berghain doesn’t hold back and neither should you.” And it was the dynamic stage presence of Vincent, the party boy of the play, who had the audience anticipating his every movement and word. Diagnosed with HIV at an early age, Vincent combines acting with activism, daring passers-by to hug him. Now that’s what we call a trailblazer.

4 KEVIN KIERNAN MOLLOY This talented Australian actor made our top five back in 2018 after impressing in ‘The Art of Falling’, and he has continued in similar vein ever since, with 2021 no exception. Missing from the After Hours production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream due to corona last year, our reviewer Lena Hunter found him “enthralling” as Bottom, “oscillating between blokey and camp with thick overtones of narcissism and cutting humour , adding ‘Though he’s acting, it seems as if he’s dancing.” For the Crazy Christmas Cabaret, he presented a “showcase of all manner of vernacular, sexuality and psychosis”, his funniest moment coming during the 1980s diva tribute, stretching out

HASSE FERROLD

Copenhagen audiences were once again treated to a wealth of Anglophone talent in 2021.

From CPH Stage to the CPH Queer Theatre Festival, there was arguably more choice than ever.

And did somebody mention a Hollywood director in the house!

Tanja finishes top for 2021

in his leotard to Olivia Newton John’s ‘Physical’. And he even had time to phone in a segment for the Why Not Theatre Company web series ‘Delete This!’ during corona-stricken February, when the Aussie was stranded down under (lucky bugger). Bottom line: this guy never phones it in.

5 KATE BARKER-FROYLAND The American blazed a trail long before she moved to Denmark, the homeland of her husband of 12 years. In 2014, she directed the Hollywood romcom ‘Song One’ starring Anne Hathaway, an actress she clicked with whilst working as an assistant on The Devil wears Prada. Barker-Froyland then retuned the lead part to suit Hathaway, as it was originally with a 19-year-old in mind. This past autumn, she presented another adaptation, Chekhov’s Stories, with the support of the Copenhagen Theatre Circle. Does this mean she will shortly be launching a CTC actress to stardom? That would be quite the story.

10 SPORT

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

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THE DANISH women's handball team are now ranked third in the world following their impressive performance at the 2021 World Women's Handball Championships, which concluded with them beating hosts Spain 35-28 to take bronze. Norway beat France, who defeated the Danes 23-22 in the semis, in the final. It was the Danish women's team’s first medal since 2013.

Both curling teams in THE DANISH men’s curling team have emulated the women and qualified for the 2022 Winter Olympics (Feb 4-20).

A tight eliminator win against the Czech Republic sealed their place. Since 2002, only one of the Danish teams have failed to qualify: the men in 2006.

World’s best ultras SUPERLIGA clubs Brøndby and FC Copenhagen have ranked fifth and seventh in a top ten of the world’s top Ultra fans. Compiled by the Facebook group Ultras World, ultras stand out for their vocal and tifo support in the stands, along with frequent use of pyrotechnics.

Randers to face Foxes RANDERS has drawn Leicester City in the first knockout round of the UEFA Conference League, while FC Midtjylland drew Greek outfit PAOK Thessaloniki. Contested over two legs (Feb 17 and 24) they are bidding to make the final 16, where FC Copenhagen will be waiting for them thanks to winning their group.

Three in, four out DENMARK will be missing four of its NHL stars at the 2022 Olympics after the league refused to release its players. Frederik Andersen, Nikolaj Ehlers, Oliver Bjorkstrand and Lars Eller will all miss out. However, Joachim Blichfeld, Alexander True and Jonas Røndbjerg can compete, as they are not on their side’s first-team roster.

Har far can Denmark aspire in Qatar?

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Handball bronze

14 January - 10 February 2022

2022 is all out to eclipse last year following Christian Eriksen’s announcement he intends to return to the national team BEN HAMILTON

I

T’S HARD to comprehend why the Danish men’s national football team had such a high FIFA ranking in 1997. They bombed as defending champs at Euro 1996 and weren’t even at the 1994 World Cup, but somehow managed to rise to eighth.

And now history has almost repeated itself, as Denmark finds itself bettered by only eight teams on the planet.

Still, Denmark didn’t need a wonky ranking system to confirm that it was a good year.

Their semis spot at the Euros and stellar World Cup qualifying campaign speak for themselves.

And over the last month, the accolades haven’t stopped rolling in. It might have been a torrid year for most of us, but for Danish football, 2021 has been absolutely blinding!

Football’s most caring player LET’S START with the players and team captain Simon Kjær, who has been named the Guardian Footballer of the Year – an award handed out to a player who “has done something remarkable, whether by overcoming adversity, helping others or setting a sporting example by acting with exceptional honesty”.

Previous winners include Marcus Rashford and Juan Mata for their charity efforts.

Capping a year in which the Danish national team captain placed 18th in the Ballon d’Or ranking, the British newspaper lauded Kjær’s actions at Parken Stadium on June 12 after his team-mate Christian Eriksen collapsed during Denmark’s opening Euro 2020 game with a cardiac arrest.

Not only did he swiftly put Eriksen in a recovery position, but he started CPR, formed a

ONLINE THIS WEEK Good old Viktor WORLD number one badminton player Viktor Axelsen finished off 2021 in style by winning the World Tour Finals in Indonesia. Over the year, he reached 10 finals, winning seven, including Olympic gold in Tokyo.

A new Viktor coming?

SPEED skater Viktor Hald Thorup has qualified for the Winter Olympics after becoming the first male Dane to win a medal at a World Cup race. He finished second in the men’s mass start in Utah. He joins another Danish skater, Stefan Due, on the plane.

Careful how you crop this boys-only photo

protective ring around him and then comforted his partner.

“What we did, we did as a team,” he humbly told the Danophile newspaper.

Kjær was also named the Guardian’s 54th best football player of 2021. Three other Danes – Kasper Schmeichel (77), Joakim Mæhle (96) and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (100) – were also included.

Incredible coaching!

AND LET’S not forget the national team coach Kasper Hjulmand, who in August was named ‘Årets Laks’ by LGBT+ Danmark in recognition of his defence of human rights during Euro 2020.

For 2021, he has been named the world’s 11th best coach by the magazine FourFourTwo. “Leading Ireland's eternal playoff opponent Denmark to a European Championship semi-final is no small feat, but to do so after the traumatic experience of watching his team's star player get a cardiac arrest on the pitch in the first match is incredible,” applauded the magazine.

Another Dane, Thomas Frank, was placed at #40 after a stellar year at Brentford, which he guided to the English Premier League for the first time

since 1947, where it currently stands a respectable 12th in the standings – making it by far the highest-achieving promoted club.

The talisman is back LOOKING ahead, 2022 has got off to a pretty good start for Denmark with the news it will face France, Croatia and Austria in the Nations League, and that its talisman Christian Eriksen has his sights set on playing in the World Cup at the end of the year.

In an interview with DR, the Dane has said he is raring to go again after his almost fatal cardiac arrest at Euro 2020, and that he expects to find a new club later this month following the termination of his contract with Inter, which he helped to win the Serie A title last season.

Serie A rules prevented Eriksen playing with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator, a pacemaker that discharges electrical jolts to restore regular heart rhythm. The 29-year-old is currently training with OB, the club he played youth football for before moving to Ajax.

"My dream is to rejoin the national team and play at Parken and prove that it was a one-time occurence and won't happen again," said Eriksen. “But it’s up to the coach to assess my level."

Sailing’s answer to F1 COPENHAGEN will host SailGP next August - an event often hyped as sailing’s Formula 1. It will be contested by 16-metre catamarans reaching speeds of up to 100 km/h in the waters off Oceankaj from August 19-20.

New team for golden boy DOUBLE Olympic gold medallist Lasse Norman Hansen had already found a new team ahead of the inevitable withdrawal and disbandment of World Tour outfit Team Qhubeka NextHash.

He has hooked up with PRT outfit Uno-X.

Former keeper dies FORMER national keeper Lars Høgh has died aged 62 following a long bout with cancer.

Høgh, who was the national team’s goalkeeping coach until just recently, won eight caps for Denmark, including a 2-0 defeat of West Germany at the 1986 World Cup.

Olesen cleared in London A BRITISH courtroom has found Danish golfer Thorbjørn Olesen, 31, not guilty of three charges relating to a flight from Nashville to London in 2019.

The charges were sexual assault, assault by beating and being intoxicated on a plane.

COVER

14 January - 10 February 2022

11

Sports top five: A nation galvanised, their achievements were unforgettable

CHRISTIAN WENANDE

A

H 2021. YE OLDE bugger.

How many sporting delights you brought us, and yet many of us are pleased to see you in the rear view mirror.

Indeed, the pandemic left its ignominious mark in terms of sports event cancellations, postponements and vaccine drama.

So no review of Danish sport would feel complete without a bottom five as well.

But somehow, a year that pushed athletes to the limit also managed to become

TOP FIVE 1 MEN’S FOOTBALL TEAM Who can forget the emotional rollercoaster of Euro 2020. From the brutal lows of Christian Eriksen’s collapse to the crescendo of excitement as the team battled back to reach the semi-finals, the team galvanised a nation and beyond with its gritty determination and indomitable spirit.

Coach Kasper Hjulmand and players like Simon Kjær, Joachim Mæhle and Mikkel Damsgaard could easily have made this list on individual merit alone, but it was as a team that Denmark inspired millions in the tournament. Emotions have rarely run as high as in Parken Stadium in the games against Belgium and Russia.

You had to be made of stone not to have got a little misty-eyed. The icing on the cake was how the team then proceeded to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in stunning fashion, not conceding a single goal in their first eight games.

2 VIKTOR AXELSEN If it wasn’t for Euro 2020, Viktor would have been the victor. No doubt. In what was arguably the best year for an individual in Danish badminton history, Axelsen was untouchable for much of 2021, finishing the year ranked number one in the world. Among his accomplishments were winning the Thailand Open, Denmark Open, Indonesia Open and bringing home Olympic gold. He also reached the finals of the All England and the World Tour finale. In short, an epic year for the Funen lad.

CHRISTIAN WENANDE

From the highs and lows of an emotional Euro 2020 to some memorable performances at the Olympics, it’s been another banner year for Danish competitors

one of the most memorable in recent history … at least in Denmark.

Ample to pick from DESPITE facing tough restrictions and empty stadiums, Denmark managed to accumulate 16 medals at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo – which was more than predicted.

2021 provided loads of exceptional sporting endeavours that could have made our top five, but ultimately fell just short – casualties of a nation punching above its weight.

The women’s handball team won their first World Championship medal in almost a decade, Brøndby seized their first Superliga title in 16 years, and Anne-Marie Rindom brought home that Olympic gold medal in sailing.

But there could only be five, so some were bound to undeservedly miss out.

3 JONAS VINGEGAARD Kasper Asgreen and Magnus Cort both enjoyed great seasons on the World Tour, but it was the relatively unknown Jonas Vingegaard who really turned heads.

Aside from winning the Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali and stages on the UAE Tour, Vingegaard showed he is the biggest Grand Tour winning hope to come out of Denmark since Jakob Fuglsang when he finished second in the Tour de France. It was the first time a Dane has made the podium of the world’s most gruelling sports race since Bjarne Riis in 1996. Can he go all the way in 2022?

4 CLARA TAUSON When 2020 ended, Denmark’s new tennis darling, ranked 152nd in the world, set a personal goal to crack the top 100 in 2021. Well, mission accomplished … and then some! Despite battling some injuries and temper issues, the 19-year-old won two WTA titles and landed her first Grand Slam quarter-final appearance at the Australian Open. As 2021 came to a close, she had vaulted over 100 spots up the world rankings to 44th, well ahead of her personal goal. What can she accomplish in 2022? If she can steer clear of injuries, the top 25 could be well within her sights.

5 MEN’S HANDBALL TEAM To be honest, it’s tough to omit the men’s handball team pretty much any year these days. Mikkel Hansen and company just keep gobbling up medals.

The shirt befitted the big hand shown by the nation

This year was no different as the lads picked up gold at the World Championships and a silver at the Olympics in Tokyo. More medals could be on the horizon with the European Champion-

ships lurking around the corner. Special mention goes out to 22-year-old Mathias Gidsel, who burst onto the handball scene in 2021 with a series of cracking performances.

12 BUSINESS

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

ONLINE THIS WEEK

LEGO PLANS to build a $1 billion factory in Vietnam to keep up with demand across Asia. Scheduled to open in 2024, it will be its second factory in Asia (a Chinese one opened in 2016) and employ 4,000. In related news, a study at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow claims that Lego sets are a better investment than gold. They appreciated by 11 percent every year from 1987 to 2015.

Maersk’s eyes on Asia SUBJECT to regulatory approval, Mærsk will pay 3.6 billion US dollars for Hong Kong-based company LF Logistics to improve its reach into Asia. In other takeover news, Faroese fish farming group Bakkafrost had acquired 90 percent of the shares of Danish salmon canner Munkebo.

Contractor boost THE EUROPEAN Commission has presented a proposal that will force companies to recognise contractors who work full-time as ordinary employees, writes TV2. This would particularly affect the courier company Wolt, which would have to provide holiday pay, pension or salary in the event of illness.

Seeds to expand COMPLYCLOUD, which enables advice to customers via digital lawyers, has received investment of over 4 million euros from SEED Capital, reports Business Wire.

Out-performing everyone economically

ONLINE THIS WEEK PIXABAY

Lego chooses Vietnam

14 January - 10 February 2022

According to The Economist magazine, Denmark ranked first out of the 23 wealthy OECD countries during the pandemic CHRISTIAN WENANDE

A

FEW MONTHS ago, the government revealed it expected the economy to have grown by 3.8 percent by the end of 2021, in spite of the pandemic.

Now The Economist magazine has echoed that sentiment by ranking Denmark top of the pops in regards to the performance of economies during the pandemic.

Denmark was ranked first out of 23 wealthy OECD countries, ahead of Nordic neighbours Norway and Sweden.

The list is based on GDP development, investment levels, household income, public debt and share prices.

Dissatisfied with Wizz DANISH pension firm AkademikerPension is threatening to withdraw millions of kroner in investment in Wizz Air if the Hungarian budget airline does not stop mistreating its employees.

Twelve other investors are reportedly considering similar action.

Green car insurance

We've fled corona but with an upwards trajectory

2022 looks promising “THE OVERALL picture has

been remarkably benign, even as several variants of the coronavirus emerged during the year.

But it hides stark differences beneath,” wrote The Economist.

“The pandemic has created winners and losers – and the dispersion between them is likely to persist in 2022.”

That statement fits well with the government’s expectation in August that the positive trend was set to continue in 2022 – for Denmark, at least.

Meanwhile, Spain finished bottom of The Economist ranking, just ahead of the UK, Japan and Germany. The US was ranked 10th.

Power-to-X investment

Brexit compensation

Major Novo investment

THE GOVERNMENT is investing 1.25 billion kroner in Power-to-X green technology in a bid to boost its capacity to 4-6GW by 2030. The tech converts solar and wind energy into hydrogen power that can sustainably power vehicles. The state has also unveiled new initiatives worth 270 million kroner from 2022-2024 to protect digital infrastructure and IT systems.

THE GOVERNMENT has backing for a 1.3 billion kroner Brexit compensation package.

Fishermen will be the biggest beneficiaries. In related news, a compensation scheme was unveiled to help Danish companies during the festive period. However, one out of five companies rates the government's recent handling of the corporate sector as "bad", according to a DI survey.

NOVO NORDISK is investing 17 billion kroner into its Kalundborg facilities, where it produces treatments for severe obesity and diabetes. The expansion should be completed by 2027. In related news, LEO Pharma's treatment for moderate-to-severe eczema has been approved by the FDA, thus opening the door for ‘Adbry’ in the US from February.

DENMARK'S second-largest insurance company Topdanmark is introducing insurance for electric cars amid the high demand for the green vehicles. Standard packages will cover sustained damage and taxi services when the car runs out of juice. According to De Danske Bilimportører, electric cars accounted for 20 percent of sales in November 2021.

Tobacco fluctuations THE 2011-20 PERIOD saw a 29 percent decrease in tobacco sales compared to the previous decade, according to Danmarks Statistik.

However, while cigarette sales fell 18 percent in 2020, rolling tobacco sales rose by 26 percent – the largest increase since 1974. Approximately 800,000 people aged 15-79 smoke in Denmark. E-cigs and the like are not included in the statistics.

Holiday home stampede LAST MONTH was the busiest December in history for holiday home bookings with well over 22,000 – twice as many as in 2016. German guests accounted for more than half.

14 January - 10 February 2022

JUST SAY IT AS IT IS A Brit married to a Viking who landed on Danish shores 14 years ago, Leslea is the head of English Job Denmark. With over 20 years’ communications experience in both the business & not-for-profit sectors, Leslea is passionate about coaching professionals & businesses in effective communication.

I

T’S THE time of year when we set goals.

Last year I signed up for my first mini-triathlon and can honestly say it was one of the greatest moments of my life when I crossed the finish line.

I am not a natural athlete (old men cycle past me), but that medal hangs proudly on my mirror to remind me that it’s good to set yourself challenges.

Sharing is caring COMPLETING a triathlon is one thing, but facing a challenge like moving to a new country and trying to establish yourself in a new career is a situation all of my clients face.

For some, it’s a simple transition into a new job, but for others, they may need to reinvent themselves.

All of them need support to figure out how to communicate what

The right way to stand out THE START of the year is a perfect opportunity as January and February are great months to apply for a job. How do you get your CV noticed? The main point is to show you understand yes! Denmark is wonderful … but the deeper connectivity and creation of a professional network is a major challenge.

It is one thing to want to say yes to stepping into the networking arena, but practically speaking: where and how?

Well, I am proud to say that together with the organisation Goodtalks, I will be running an expat network starting in March 2022, which will focus on connecting at a deeper and more vulnerable level, while growing professional Nordic leadership tools with amazing guest experts!

Time to hit some goals in the bullseye

the local culture and communicate that in your application.

The Danish workplace has a flat work hierarchy, no micromanagement and staff are encouraged to contribute their views. You also need to show you are a team player and it’s not about your individual success – Danes are a modest bunch – but how well you collaborate with others and you will fit in. spoke to Pernille Sandberg Bech, the Goodtalks CEO, about the power of networking, unglossy leadership and common interests in facilitating networks.

I have many years of experience with expat culture in Denmark, and I know the benefits of networking across borders and cultures.

With the network, we want to create a community where expats can share experiences and professional knowledge in a vulnerable setting, while focusing on themes such as leadership, vulnerability, connectivity and the power of networking.

Knowing what job you can do, lots of research to find companies that are a good fit, and learning more about the local culture means a new job is waiting for you in 2022.

However, it may need you to step out of your comfort zone and set a new challenge to get you successfully over that finish line. You might not get a medal but starting a new job is worthy of a celebration.

FACEBOOK/GOODTALKS

can feel like mission impossible in this Nordic monoculture with its strict private-public divide.

That being said, I feel that cultivating a network, in addition to learning Danish and actively participating in Danish culture, is absolutely crucial to integration and thriving in Denmark.

So, what to do?

they have to offer and guidance to take those next steps.

I arrived 14 years ago with huge expectations for my career progression, but as somebody who did not understand the ‘unwritten’ rules of job searching in Denmark, I floundered.

Today I can tell my clients – who come to me sometimes after years of applying – that I genuinely understand. Having worked for some awesome organisations since then, I can share my knowledge of the Danish workplace to guide clients in their search for their dream role!

13 PIXABAY

LESLEA PETERSEN

BUSINESS OPINION

It's good to talk!

Besides joining Goodtalks, Thomas Knudsen Mulhern is the CEO of Globally Local, former International Department head at the Institute of Sankt Joseph and host of the Global Denmark Podcast – whose mission is to facilitate a discussion that further opens up Denmark to the world and the world to Denmark.

ENMARK is an amazing country in so many ways.

But my god, networking

This is where and how!

I RECENTLY got an incredible outpouring of interest and support after posing a question on LinkedIn: “Are you an expat who loves Denmark but wants to connect more and be part of a deeper, more meaningful professional network?”

My personal experience in Denmark, along with the countless conversations I’ve had with expats, makes me believe that for the vast majority the answer to my question is a resounding

Embracing vulnerability GOODTALKS is a rapidly growing organisation that champions gender equality in leadership, vulnerable leadership and networking focused on giving.

Recently on my podcast, I

Overcoming challenges WE WANT individuals in the network to feel psychologically safe and that they are among peers. We want them to feel inspired and to cultivate concrete strategies to lead or navigate the

Nordic leadership paradigm.

We want them to embrace a platform that enables giving, openness and growth.

I am excited to engage with other internationals who are ready to engage in an open way to grow both professionally and personally.

I think in doing so we will continue to make the Danish experience even stronger, whilst helping to solve one of the key challenges of working and living in Denmark as an expat.

NEXT ISSUE

IN 2 ISSUES

IN 3 ISSUES

IN 4 ISSUES

IN 5 ISSUES

Startup Community

Get Your Biering’s

Union Views

Fit For Business

The Valley of Life

Give Yourself a Chance

Danish Capital in 2021

Stress Wärnings

Winnie's World

UK-DK Trade

THOMAS MULHERN GLOBAL DENMARK

D

14 OPINION

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

14 January - 10 February 2022

Light at end of tunnel

T

HERE’S more light in the day and the Danes are not afraid of the pandemic anymore.

Springtime for switchers?

A POLITICAL springtime is also on the cards thanks to an admission from Radiale leader Sofie Carsten Nielsen that she will not again support a one-party government, red or blue!

While this does not mean her party will stop supporting the PM’s Socialdemokratiet government today, her statement will give hope to the blue bloc, less than two years before the next general election.

Expect the government to react to Nielsen’s proclamation, in which she entertained the possibility of supporting a government containing Konservative and SF, or Ventre and Socialdemokratiet.

The PM might very well go back on her New Year promise to reform welfare for the elderly

Mishra’s Mishmash

if it maintains the current red bloc majority. Besides, her plans would require an awful lot of non-EU workers, which will be met by the resistance of the unions, the traditional power base of the PM’s party.

We will see it before we believe it.

Springtime for emitters?

THE PM, meanwhile, has also announced a new tax concerning CO2 emissions, but how exactly this materialises remains to be seen. No doubt, it will impact everybody and therefore everybody will try their best to avoid it and let it come down heavy on somebody else.

The emitter pays, she said, but we all emit. If industry is required to pay, it will mean a hefty loss of jobs; if consumers are required to pay, it means yellow vests.

Pursuing the policy this springtime will make it feel hotter than global warming, so the legislation will probably be postponed until after the election.

Springtime for glitter!

THE SAME can’t be done regarding Her Majesty’s 50-year anniversary as regent.

More popular than ever, we must not put off the celebration.

There is light in the tunnel – and this time it’s not an oncoming train.

Ejvind Sandal

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.

D

INGER STØJBERG/PIXABAY

Springtime for victors?

ALTHOUGH the Omicron virus is everywhere right now, it seems as though the hospitals are dealing with the upsurge of patients. The general consensus is that in a month or two we will be back to almost normal, albeit with fewer hugs and handshakes.

We will all get the virus from time to time, but vaccinations and herd immunity will reduce corona to the level of a pre-pandemic flu. A yearly jab or a few days in bed, but no huge jump in the mortality rate.

However, that is the Danish forecast. Worldwide, while panic restrictions will reduce our appetite to travel, we must continue to support efforts to vaccinate or risk another mutation. The Greek alphabet has many unused letters.

MRUTYUANJAI MISHRA

ENMARK has often committed blunders by not respecting family values.

Did not follow recipe FAMILY life protection is guaranteed under the European Convention of Human Rights, to which Denmark is a signatory.

And Denmark’s tendency to get it wrong in these matters was once again highlighted when 26 judges convened on December 13 to find Inger Støjberg, the country’s former immigration and integration minister, guilty of violating article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights – the law chiefly pertaining to the right to family life.

Over and above that, the judges also stated in their judgment that she did not follow the Danish ministerial accountability law.

Frosty condemnation SOME 25 of the 26, of whom half were Supreme Court judges, formed a thumping majority to pass the historic judgment.

It was an emphatic signal that Denmark cannot keep on violating human rights laws in the name of glorious thoughts.

Støjberg was sentenced to two months in prison for illegally separating several asylum-seeking couples.

It was a reminder that Denmark cannot keep on continuing with racist practices disguised as concern for minors.

For almost two decades we have seen a barrage of new restrictions and laws that affect migrants' lives in Denmark.

To be fair, she passed 50 days to go in late December

There is only so much cake the migrants can stomach!

Sickly aftertaste UNDER Støjberg's watch, more than 100 new restrictions were introduced. Each time she provocatively celebrated each new restriction with a cake.

This sadistic practice of celebrating new measures not only made the lives of immigrants even more miserable, but it percolated into other professions.

After all, why should the police restrict themselves, and why should the common man respect immigrants, if a minister is acting in this way?

It was as if discrimination was becoming an acceptable norm.

With every mouthful, Støjberg was telling the watching public that if you were not born here, you will never be accepted as a Dane.

Half-baked notions STØJBERG may be one of a very small number of ministers in Danish history to be impeached and found guilty of deliberately violating the Ministerial Responsibility Act, but she is not the only one guilty of violating the principles set in article 8 of the European Convention of Human rights.

It is well documented how

Denmark has forcefully deprived the children of Greenland of their right to stay with their families. Children from the island were forced to come to Denmark against their parents' wishes.

Fortunately, this despicable practice has stopped. The Danes need to realise that there are decent and compassionate methods to integrate immigrants into their society, without resorting to the inhumane practice of celebrating making their lives harder with cake.

Stir Støjberg, stir STØJBERG will get enough time to bake cakes while she serves a jail sentence of 60 days. The verdict cannot be appealed and the jail sentence is unconditional.

The legal system of Denmark has finally acted in accordance with the principles and values of human rights, but the million-dollar question is whether this is enough to stop the everyday racism that prevails in Danish society.

Whether it’s in school or college, in the workplace or in dealings with the police, a new example was set on December 13 that will hopefully pave the way for more tolerance in the future.

Should that be the case, then we can all celebrate with cake!

OPINION

14 January - 10 February 2022

NEXT ISSUE

VIVIENNE MCKEE

Crazier than Christmas Vivienne McKee, Denmark’s best-known English entertainer, is this country’s most beloved foreign import. For the last four decades, hundreds of thousands of Copenhageners have enjoyed her annual Crazy Christmas Cabaret show at Tivoli, marvelling at her unique, wry Anglo wit and charm.

FACEBOOK/LONDON TOAST THEATRE

With two sold-out Saturday shows still to play before the government declared the closure of all theatres from December 19, it was panic! Within hours, another pianist was found and was brave enough to play with only one hour’s notice! Does all this sound crazy? Tell me about it!

Vivienne has picked up a CPH Culture nomination

H

EY, WHAT could be more crazy than what we've been going through the last few months, eh?

Pandemiconia WE THOUGHT it was bad enough with COVID-19, and then Omicron came along.

Throughout December, all theatres were treading a knife-edge of closing down completely or cancelling shows.

Our Crazy Christmas show in Tivoli had to cancel the first week to enable two actors to recover from Covid.

One called me to say: “I’d make a Covid joke, but it would be tasteless.”

Oh yes – there are so many coronavirus jokes out there, it’s a pundemic!

Coronatainment WE ALL remember last year’s lockdown. My son bought a world map and gave his kids a dart and said: “Throw this and wherever it lands – that’s where I’m taking you when this pandemic ends.”

Turns out, they spent two weeks behind the fridge.

I was one of the many who bought a pet. People were so isolated they started talking to their cats; when I heard this, my dog and I had a good laugh about it.

Covinfectious AS SOON as we got the ‘all clear’ from the two ailing actors, we jumped back on stage and, to our delight, received rapturous responses, standing ovations every night and five-star reviews.

The world seemed bright again … until two more actors were struck down. I had to rewrite the show to exclude one and fly in an actor from London to replace the other.

But it didn’t stop there. As soon as the new actor arrived from London, we were struck again! This time our musical director got Covid. We quickly roped in another brilliant pianist to take his place for the busiest weekend of our entire run.

After playing one show, he also announced he had it too.

15

Quarantinuous WHEN I chose the title of our show this year, ‘Tell Me About It’, I never realised it would be so appropriate for the times we’re still going through. I thought that by now Covid would be one of those horrible histories we could all laugh about. And that is what we need to do in these troubled times: Laugh!

Last year I did some standup comedy on Teams for companies.

It was hard because a comedian needs a live audience to judge the effect of the jokes, and it’s awkward to use the pandemic for material.

You can’t not reference it because we’re all living through it.

But if you talk about it, people are thinking: 'Oh, give us some escapism’.

Escapisolation WELL, escapism is what I offered with our Miami-based, 80s-styled Crazy Christmas Show.

We received hundreds of mails sympathising with us in this, also financially disastrous, situation.

To all of you well-wishers, I guarantee WE WILL BE BACK in 2022, and that you will have the chance to escape once again into our Crazy Christmas world of fun.

Until then – Happy New Year !

Straight Up ZACH KHADUDU

An Actor’s Life IAN BURNS IN 2 ISSUES

The Road Less Taken JESSICA ALEXANDER

Mishra’s Mishmash MRUTYUANJAI MISHRA IN 3 ISSUES

Straight, No Chaser STEPHEN GADD

Englishman in Nyhavn JACK GARDNER IN 4 ISSUES

Mackindergarten ADRIAN MACKINDER

Green Spotlight SIBYLLE DE VALENCE IN 5 ISSUES

A Dane Abroad KIRSTEN LOUISE PEDERSEN

Living Faith REVD SMITHA PRASADAM

16 LIFESTYLE: FASHION THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

14 January - 10 February 2022 SHERYL YIP

Such workmanship is more labour-intensive and requires more procedures in completing the sewing – about four steps more for sewing each seam! Hence with better workmanship, you could tell an outfit is more constructed and clean.

SHERYL YIP STYLE STIL Sheryl is the fashion and bespoke wedding dress designer at her own Copenhagen-based atelier, @sherylyipbridal. Her designs have been worn by hundreds of brides around the globe. Passionate about couture and customisation, she believes dressing well-fitted to personality and body-figure is the strongest fashion statement. Following her relocation from Hong Kong in 2019, Sheryl lives in Copenhagen.

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AST TIME I shared insider secrets on how to find the ‘fittest’ wedding dress.

In this edition, it’s time to focus on our daily wardrobe, so you too can pick out high-quality fashion at ease.

Start off by grabbing some clothes from your wardrobe and following the guide below!

I am sure there’s something you may have overlooked or not known if you aren’t in the fashion garment industry!

Inside out!

THE KEY to assessing clothes is turning them inside out first! That’s what I learnt in my first fashion job on day one.

The maker of fine quality clothing always takes care of the inner part.

After all, if you want to get to know a person, you don’t simply judge them by their cover, do you? And the same is true of fashion.

Here’s ten key tips for finding high-quality fashion.

1) Conceal the stitching A HIGH-QUALITY garment’s inner side is as pretty as its outer appearance.

The garment looks neatly finished because most of the stitching lines are concealed.

Woven clothing like blouses, dresses and trousers use techniques such as French seam and binding instead of overlocking.

2) Proud of your silky linings FOR HIGH-QUALITY ready-to-wear, unless the fabric is heavy and thick enough, the clothing is mostly lined. Silk-lining is the most expensive choice, and you’ll find this in high fashion and luxurious wedding dresses. The common practice is to double-line the wedding dress to avoid wardrobe malfunctions under flashlights and sunlight. For contemporary airy designs with transparency, the elegant and couture method is to layer the dress with different fabrication, such as sheer silk organza. Such premium lining options give special layering and colour effects.

3) Use your eyes FABRIC with subtle shine often looks more expensive compared to ultra gloss and shimmering – as it resembles silk, the most luxurious natural fibre in the world. Any fabric composition with silk content has subtlety and soft lustre under light – a beautiful signature that cannot be replicated. In contrast, a polyester or acetate satin has a hard shimmer at any angle you look at it.

4) Use your hands IN MOST scenarios, a soft and smooth hand feel equals fine quality - for example, silk satin, premium cotton, cashmere etc.

But not with lace (Ohh!), as a dry and textured touch tends to indicate it is more expensive than a super smooth surface. Next time you handle a renowned lace such as exquisite French Chantilly or Lyon lace, notice how delicate its texture feels. This is thanks to the cotton content rather than man-made nylon.

5) How does it drape?

WHEN YOU invest in a classy but simple blouse or dress, remember that fabric speaks and magnifies everything! Does it move fluidly when draped on the body?

The fabric of an outfit with a nice drape definitely looks more expensive and sleek – think genuine leather and silk chiffon.

And it invariably is! Even taffeta, a fabric naturally crispy and structured, will have a wonderful drape if it is in good quality.

6) Pressed for the final answer IF YOU ask me what is the most effective way to make a garment look decent and

expensive, this is it! Crumpled outfits will make an unprofessional and miserable impression on others, no matter how fantastic the design is. In garment production, final pressing (jargon that may vary in different countries) is arguably the most important makeover procedure of any garment. A skillful pressing technique can eliminate a lot of sewing defects and create desirable form in the clothing. Don’t look down on steaming, as it yields a big difference!

7) A show of hands HANDCRAFT is worth the costly price tag, but how do you recognise it? Remember the amazing trick you learnt earlier?

Simply turn the clothing inside-out! If you find a way to see the back side of craftsmanship, you will notice the irregular stitching intervals and nodes. These indicate it was crafted purely by hand, not by machine.

8) It’s all in the details SPECIAL designs on the collar, sleeves and hem elevate the style and uniqueness of clothing. Adding details like individualised trims and buttons also give accent and highlights. For occasion wear, inserted corsetry in the dress gives structure to the dress and provides a beautiful shape to the wearer.

9) Matches made in heaven CHECK if the checks, stripes, laces and prints match up at the seams and along the zipper. Pattern matching always requires extra fabric usage and special attention in garment making. In men’s tailoring, check-matching involved in making a suit is an artform – especially the seam along the sleeve armhole.

10) Tailor-made makes the grade BESPOKE wear is undoubtedly the key to any design philosophy. Dressing in an outfit that fits your body shape, preferably tailor-made to your own specifications, makes you look dapper and in style.

Fine-quality fashion is durable, sustainable and comfortable. You undeniably look more chic and elegant.

But while it’s easy to link quality with price, it doesn’t always guarantee better-quality fashion.

A better investment is improving your own skills and eye for high-quality clothing.

It will definitely prove to be a money-saver in the long run.

So now you know the hidden agenda of a fashion expert picking out high-quality clothing, what’s keeping you?

Enjoy the spree and good luck!

LIFESTYLE: MENTAL HEALTH

14 January - 10 February 2022

PIXABAY

17

SHIKHA GUPTA MENTAL KINDA HEALTH Shikha Gupta is a mindset coach with a holistic approach to life. Her own stress survival story and being a bestseller author has taught her the importance of stress release and mindful living to balance your body, mind and soul. She works with clients globally through her signature online courses and 1:1 coaching programs. Find out more @mindbodysoul_theshikhaway

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APPY NEW Year! It’s that time of year again. You have made your New Year Resolutions with so much excitement!

Oh yes, these are your goals for 2022.

You felt great making them and you know you can do it.

But now it’s a few days past New Year’s.

The excitement has worn off, even the hangover is gone and you still haven’t started on your resolutions, even though you promised yourself to take them seriously this year.

You feel disappointed, demotivated, and annoyed at yourself. Because come on, how hard can it be? And you tell yourself: screw the goals; I’ll do it next year!

Is this a scenario you recognise?

It’s not that your motivation is lacking, but let’s take a look at your goals.

Are they in fact your goals? Or are they determined by your outside world?

What do I mean by this? Well, we are constantly bombarded by what society deems as ‘correct’: how we should look, how healthy our lifestyle should be, where we should be in our career by a certain age, how we are expected to be as a parent, etc.

And it is easy to get swayed by these outside influences and start believing that they should be our goals. We end up forming our resolutions on the foundation of society’s norms and not what we truly want inside of us.

When this happens, your energy and motivation around your goal will not be enough to see it through. Because it’s actually not what you really want.

It all starts on the inside.

do to fit into society’s norms, but what you truly want in your heart and soul.

Ask yourself: if money was of no object what would I truly want?

1A) Why do you want this goal?

The Why is important. What feelings will it bring to you? Does the thought of having it make you feel happy and excited? Yes! You are on the right path.

No? Then go back to step 1.

2) Be very specific about your goal If you want to lose weight, then instead of saying in 2022 I want to lose weight, make it more specific, I want to lose 10 kilos in 2022 or I want to run a half-marathon

by September 2022. The more specific you are, the more realistic and the more achievable your goal becomes.

when you focus on what you want and not what you want to avoid.

4) Attach your new behaviour to an already existing behaviour If you are ‘just’ adding to an existing behaviour, you are more likely to keep doing it. Taking running for example: you could resolve to run once more during the week or add 10 minutes to your running time, and even set yourself the challenge of running a half-marathon by the end of the year.

5) Take action every day towards your goal Any small action is great. It will feel doable. If you start with huge actions, the probability of you being consistent will be smaller than if you start with small, easy doable actions.

1) Focus on what YOU really want.

Not what you think will make others happy or what you think you need to

3) Word your goal positively Instead of formulating what you want to avoid - like “I don’t want to be overweight anymore” – focus on what you want: “I want to be fit and healthy so I can go on this hiking vacation I’ve been dreaming of.” The energy and motivation around your goal will be completely different

Celebrate your journey REMEMBER, this is a process and if you fall off the wagon for one day or even a few weeks, this does not mean that you have failed. It’s never too late to get back on.

Lastly, celebrate yourself and your wins every step of the way.

You can do this!

NEXT ISSUE

IN 2 ISSUES

IN 3 ISSUES

IN 4 ISSUES

Building Green Habits

Ed Talk

Dating the Danes

All Things Beautiful

Up the Alternative Alley

What a Wonderful World

Copen' with the Kids

Taste Bud

When your resolutions don’t work SO WHY does this happen? Well, let me start by reassuring you. It’s not because there is something wrong with you, so stop blaming yourself.

Create long-lasting resolutions HERE’S a guide to setting New Year’s Resolutions that you will want to keep.

18 HISTORY

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

14 January - 10 February 2022

An equestrian statue so long in the making that the king died waiting PIXABAY

Nobody can dispute that the sculpture of Frederik V sitting astride a horse Amalienborg Palace Square is one of the finest of such works of the 18th century, but at the time its huge costs caused a scandal POLLY DAVIS

L

AST YEAR a bust of the Danish monarch Frederik V was thrown into Copenhagen Harbour as a protest against Denmark’s former role as a slave-trading nation. But this wasn’t the first time that a statue of Frederik V has caused a stir. During his lifetime, his equestrian statue in Amalienborg Palace Square was marred by controversy as a symbol of excess, extravagance and waste.

Sitting proudly astride his horse, Frederik V is dressed as a Roman emperor, and today it is widely considered to be one of the best equestrian statues in the whole of Europe. But it’s also one of the most scandalous statues of its time, as it took an incredible 22 years to complete, costing five times more than all four of the Amalienborg palaces combined.

Ultimate status symbol BACK IN the 1700s when Frederik V ruled over the kingdoms of Denmark and Norway, any absolute monarch worth his weight knew he needed an equestrian statue to demonstrate his power.

Frederik wanted a statue to rival those of ‘The Sun King’, Louis XIV of France. And just as importantly, his statue had to be clearly superior to anything his arch-rivals the Swedes could muster.

With Denmark in a period of economic growth due to overseas trade with the colonies, there was money to burn and the perfect occasion: the opening of Frederiksstad, an exclusive new district in Copenhagen, to mark the 300-year anniversary of the reign of the Royal House of Oldenburg. The new statue would be placed right in the heart of the district.

No scrimping on this plinth: take time to stop by and admire a statue that cost the equivalent of 20 palaces!

At that time there were no sculptors in Denmark capable of delivering the artistic prowess Frederik V demanded. So he persuaded the celebrated French sculptor Jacques Saly to move to Denmark and work on his statue, and in doing so put Denmark on the artistic map.

An enormous sum of 150,000 rigsdaler was agreed upon, and in 1752 Saly moved to Copenhagen with his entourage of family members, assistants and household servants.

Saly wasted no time in getting to work on his new commission.

He would sit on a stool in Kongens Nytorv for hours at a time studying and sketching the many horses that went by until he had captured the perfection of the horse’s motion and movement.

He was the very definition of meticulous, and it took an entire year before he had his first sketch ready to present to the king.

Copenhagen started to question the value of Saly’s snail-paced artistic process and whether the new statue would ever be worth its enormous fee. Or indeed whether the statue would ever be realised.

By 1758, a small model had been created. Finally, work could start on a larger model, fully 12 years after Saly’s arrival, and the search begun for a craftsman who could cast the statue in bronze. Pierre Gors, a fellow Frenchman, was considered to have the expertise required to create a bronze statue of this magnitude and he was brought to Denmark along with his wife and a team of apprentices. The budget increased once again.

Not only was Gors as slow and painstaking as Saly, but he also had the habit of ordering materials at the expense of the Danish state, selling them on to others and pocketing the proceeds.

Quest for equine perfection WHEN THE sketch received the royal nod of approval, Saly went to the royal stables and started examining the horses even more closely. He was only interested in the best parts of each horse and painstakingly modelled and combined these features into the perfect equine model. It literally took years.

As time passed and the budget increased, the citizens of

Two fighting Frenchmen EVEN THOUGH Saly was not known for his modest fee or efficient work, he saw red when he found out what Gors was up to.

He confronted his countryman and asked for an explanation.

Gors was so offended at the insinuations that he turned on Saly and started beating him with a rope in broad daylight in Kongens Nytorv! The sight of two celebrated artists laying

into one another in the street resulted in the city’s gossip-mongers having even more to talk and write about the scandalous statue project.

Yet the two men managed to put their differences aside in the name of art and both were present years later as 22 tonnes of bronze were cast and turned into Copenhagen’s finest statue. The casting took place in the foundry in Kongens Nytorv where the Royal Theatre’s Gamle Scene stands today. While the model had taken four years to create, the casting took just minutes.

The biggest challenge was getting the statue out of the foundry.

This involved taking the wall off the building to create the necessary space to manoeuvre.

With the wall removed, the statue could start its short journey to Amalienborg Palace Square.

Canons fired a 27-gun salute and people looked on in awe as the giant statue left the foundry in Kongens Nytorv on a purpose-made sleigh pulled through the streets by 60 seamen.

Just missing the king BUT THE story of the statue doesn’t end here. It took a further two years for the pedestal and railings to be ready before the statue could be lifted into place. Finally in 1774, the citizens of Copenhagen and the Danish nobility could gather in

Frederiksstad to celebrate their magnificent equestrian statue – with one noticeable absence: Frederik V who had died five years earlier and never got to see his project completed.

In total, creating the statue took 22 years and cost 500,000 rigsdaler. That’s a budget overrun of 350,000 rigsdaler. In today’s money the complete cost of the statue was 15 billion Danish kroner – a whopping six times the cost of the Danish Opera House. But on a brighter note, the equestrian statue was finished and being admired in the beautiful new Amalienborg Square long before the Swedes were anywhere near completing their own statue to try and match it. The truth is that they never did.

Polly Davis (@cornersofdenmark) was born in the UK and has lived in Denmark for over 20 years.

When she is not researching stories to use on her guided tours of the city, she works as a freelance copywriter.

19

14 January - 10 February 2022

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