CPH Post 11 - 24 June 2021 by The Copenhagen Post

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Corona did its best to ruin it, but Euro 2020 is coming to Denmark! Use our wallchart, best bar choices and stories to make it a month to remember!

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CPHPOST.DK 11 - 24 June 2021

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LOCAL

A J&J to go, please! Thousands are getting jabbed with discarded vaccine

INTERNATIONAL Neighbours miffed that Danes aided NSA like Snowden said

4 NATIONAL

Intercourse at interview Nation coming to terms with journo shagging swinger

LET THE GAMES BEGIN

Is it worth the gamble? Ending restrictions for Euro 2020 could severely backfire, warns university report

CULTURE ‘The Hobbit’ might be in Danish, but its appeal is universal

COMMUNITY

The balance beam How a gymnastics club makes internationals welcome

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ROSKILDE University report highlights how important it is to continue with the current restrictions – for another five weeks at least. Its model suggests the infection rate would grow ten-fold and hospital admissions five-fold were the restrictions ended today. But by mid-July, at which point most people over the age of 50 would be fully vaccinated, the tide would start to turn. The country is within touching distance of the all clear, but not quite there yet.

Hospital staff holidays LIFTING the restrictions would enable Denmark to enjoy Euro 2020 without facemasks requirements, curfews and gathering limits. The university suggests the weekly infection and hospital admission rates would rise to 50,000 and just under 1,000 by mid-July. And with many healthcare personnel expected to take holidays next month, the hospital capacity would be even further reduced. Lifting more restrictions would be something of a gamble when we are pretty much “at the finish line” in terms of how bad it can become, Rasmus Kristoffer Pedersen from Roskilde University pointed out to DR.

Support for more seats

UN condemns Denmark

PEOPLE say that no other sport can unite people like football - but not this time! A parliamentary majority backs allowing more people into Parken to watch Denmark's three Euro 2020 group games, but the health authority disagrees. Due to corona, there are only 15,900 seats available – less than half the stadium's capacity of 38,065.

THE UN has called Denmark’s decision to pass a law, which enables it to send asylum-seekers outside Europe while they are under review, as “irresponsible and lacking in solidarity”. Passed by 70 lawmakers (with 24 against) in favour, it makes Denmark the first country to pass such a law. Both Rwanda and Burundi are rumoured to be in the running.

High trust in government

Yellow card as an app

THE TRUST in the Danish government was in February and March 2021 the highest among the EU countries, according to Eurofound’s large-scale 'Living, Working and COVID-19' online survey. The government scored 7 out of 10 in the trust category – 0.5 higher than last year. In most other EU countries, the trust rating fell during corona.

IT IS NOW possible to get the yellow health insurance card as an app on your phone. The ‘Sundhedskortet’ app acts as a valid health card and provides access to public health services. For the time being, the Health Ministry recommends holding onto the yellow card as there could be places that cannot read the app yet.

LOCAL

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Thousands accessing discarded jabs

ONLINE THIS WEEK AN INTERNATIONAL crowdfunding campaign has been launched to rebuild ‘I Am Queen Mary’, the first public monument of a black woman in Denmark, using bronze and stone. Inaugurated in 2018, it was moved outside a former colonial warehouse in Larsens Plads by the harbour.

New A&E department ON WEDNESDAY 2 June, Crown Princess Mary officially opened the new emergency department at Herlev and Gentofte Hospital. 'Nyt Hospital Herlev', which consists of two new buildings, has a new emergency room, intensive care unit, delivery room, a centre for premature babies and almost 300 large single-bed rooms. It will open for patients on 20 June.

Park music ban

Harbour baths open COPENHAGEN’S harbour baths have opened for the summer season – just in time for last weekend when temperatures soared past 25 degrees. In total there are ten bathing sites: three harbour baths with trained lifeguards and seven unmanned bathing zones and dipping zones.

ARZIA TIVANY WARGADIREDJA

HE COUNTRY’S first optional private vaccination centre, which is run in partnership with digital healthcare company Practio, opened at DGI-Byen on May 27. And since then, thousands across Denmark have received a vaccination, with the majority opting for Johnson & Johnson (J&J), which continues to be delivered to Denmark despite it being officially discarded early last month. Practio, which has been busy opening more centres, believes it will eventually be able to vac-

cinate more than 60,000 people per day across the country. Easy to sign up ANYONE interested in getting their voluntary, previously-withdrawn vaccine can sign up for the jab. First they must undergo a medical consultation to get informed and give consent. The health minister, Magnus Heunicke, said that he is satisfied with the optional rollout in Denmark. Doctors remain opposed HOWEVER, doctors group Dansk Selskab for Almen Medicin remains opposed to the program, fearing that it will result in many people visiting the hospital with side-effects, albeit

Curious on Monday, vaxxed on Friday

mostly harmless ones, after the injections. Previously, the health authority withdrew the AstraZeneca and J&J vaccines from the national vaccination program due to concerns over a very small risk of serious side-effects. Denmark accordingly became the first country to exclude the vaccines from its program.

Safer than ever in the capital However, five districts have reported increased insecurity PUCK WAGEMAKER

OPENHAGENERS feel safer than last year, according to an annual survey carried out by Copenhagen Municipality. There have been fewer burglaries, less violence and a decrease in pickpocketing. However, while the property crime rate in 2020 was at its lowest level in 10 years, this is mostly due to COVID-19, as people have spent more time at home. Five failing districts IN FIVE out of 13 districts

– Brønshøj-Husum, Christianshavn, Indre Nørrebro, Vanløse and Vesterbro – the insecurity level has increased. The City of Copenhagen had a goal that no district should have more than a 10 percent insecurity level among citizens in 2021. Brønshøj-Husum, Ydre Nørrebro and Indre Nørrebro have levels of 16, 11 and 11 percent respectively, while Bispebjerg’s is also above 10. It must be safe! “MANY PEOPLE experience that Copenhagen is a safe and nice city to live in, which is good! But we are certainly not

DICKELBERS

MUSIC can no longer be played from portable speaker systems from Sunday to Thursday from 20:00, and on Friday and Saturday from 22:00, in Haveparken on Islands Brygge, Hørsholmparken in Nørrebro and parts of Fælledparken. The police can fine offenders 1,500 kroner and confiscate their speakers.

Since launching at DGI-Byen on May 27, the option has proved to be extremely popular

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11- 24 June 2021

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Daycare improvements THE NUMBER of daycare institutions where a professional action plan has to be implemented after the annual inspection has decreased, according to the annual report for the municipality. In 2018, 41 daycare institutions had to make necessary quality changes. In 2020, this number fell to 12.

And another one! PETTER Stordalen is opening yet another hotel: this time one with conference and congress facilities with 600 rooms and a view of Copenhagen Airport. Last year the Norwegian billionaire opened Villa Copenhagen near Central Station, not long after he took over the Spies travel company.

War on bike thieves A NEW PROPOSAL from Socialistisk Folkeparti councillor Klaus Mygind to prevent bicycle thefts in the capital has received wide backing. The proposal will not only crack down on spontaneous thefts, but organised ones too.

Tivoli open after hours

The main cause of insecurity?

at the goal,” said Copenhagen Mayor Lars Weiss. “We must continue to work hard to make the city safer in the coming years in close co-operation with the police and the many good local forces. It must be safe for everyone to live in Copenhagen – regardless of which district you live in.”

FROM JUNE 20 to August 15, Tivoli is open outside opening hours for yoga and running. In collaboration with DoYoga, there will be morning yoga on the grass lawn, and every Sunday you can go for a 4-6 km run with running club Sparta.

Better Metro coverage AFTER encountering problems with the mobile phone coverage on the City Ring M3 Metro line, operator Metroselskabet now reports that the connection is sound for the entire ride.

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11- 24 June 2021

Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy Model: Thailand’s National Agenda and Strategy for Post COVID-19 Sustainable Recovery

N JANUARY 2021, the Royal Thai Government declared the “Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy Model” a national agenda. The so-called BCG Model was developed as a new economic model for inclusive and sustainable growth, by seeking to capitalize on Thailand’s biodiversity while strengthening the capacity of local communities and optimizing the use of new technology and innovation. The model builds on the principles of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great’s Sufficiency Economy Philosophy and also conforms with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aiming to promote balanced economic development without exceeding environmental capacity.

over, upgrading these four areas of BCG will benefit around 17 million people working in these sectors. 2021 also incidentally marks the 400th Anniversary of the first contact between Thailand and Denmark. Back in 1621, a Danish trading envoy arrived at the seaport town of Tenasserim, which belonged to Siam at the time. Since then, the two countries have enjoyed special and friendly relations, characterized by the cordial ties between the royal families, vibrant economic and technical cooperation as well as strong people-to-people contacts. The two countries already have a long history of technical cooperation with one of the most successful projects being the transfer of Danish expertise in milk production to Thailand under the “Thai-Danish Dairy Farm” project, which was inaugurated by the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great of

Four strategic industries under the BCG model were identified based on Thailand’s economic foundation and strengths namely, (1) food and agriculture; (2) medical and wellness; (3) bioenergy, biomaterial, and (4) biochemicals; and tourism and creative economy. At present, these four industries have a combined economic value of 670 billion Danish Krone, accounting for 21% of Thailand’s GDP. It is expected that the BCG model can raise this number to 870 billion Danish Krone (or 24% of GDP) in the next five years. More-

Thailand and King Frederik IX of Denmark in 1962. The red dairy cattle logo on the Thai-Danish milk cartons can still be found all over Thailand today. There are also strong commercial links between the two countries with more than one hundred Danish companies such as Pandora, Ecco, Royal Copenhagen, and Maersk, which have chosen Thailand as their regional headquarters or production base over many decades. It is no coincidence that circular and green economy is also a priority for the Danish Government,

and Denmark is one of the global front runners in Bio-Circular-Green business. Denmark is a food and farming country, which has successfully transformed from traditional practices to modern production by using technology and innovation to increase efficiency and create more value. It is also known for its strong commitment to green energy transition and ambitious climate target. Thailand’s new focus on the BCG Model as a key strategy for the post-pandemic sustainable recovery therefore presents tremendous opportunities for new technical and commercial partnerships between the two countries going forward. This view was echoed by a number of distinguished speakers at the “Thai - Danish Cooperation on Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy Model” webinar series, which was organized by the Royal Thai Embassy in Copenhagen, in collaboration with Thailand’s National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) and Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) on 31 May - 2 June 2021, to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Thai-Danish first contact. The purpose of the webinar series was to bring together key stakeholders from Thailand and Denmark to exchange experiences and knowledge as well as to promote new business partnerships in BCG-related industries. The online seminar was a success with almost one thousand participants from government agencies, private companies and academics of both countries. Ms. Duangjai Asawachintachit, BOI Secretary-General, remarked in her opening speech of the Webinar’s Business and Investment Session that “Over many decades, Denmark has contributed to Thailand’s economic development through the trust shown by many of its multinational companies in various industries. Given that ag-

EMBASSY OF THAILAND

Opportunities for New Business Partnerships as Thailand and Denmark Celebrate 400 Years of Relations in 2021

riculture plays a significant role in Denmark as one fifth of its exports are in agriculture, I strongly believe that there could be tremendous business opportunities for Danish companies to tap into in Thailand, particularly in areas where Danish companies have technical expertise and technologies.” Mr. Claus Rasmussen, President of the Danish-Thai Chamber of Commerce, also highlighted that he saw a great way forward where Thailand and Denmark can support each other on the future road with Denmark’s many solutions within the Bio-Circular-Green area and with opportunities in Thailand from a great workforce and attractive investment environment supported by the BOI. In terms of investment support, Dr. Kanit Sangsubhan, Secretary General of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Office, assured that with the support of the EEC Office and its regulatory sandbox feature, investors will be able to invest in new technologies and

pursue innovative business models that utilize disruptive technologies without prohibitive regulatory constraints. He also added that incentive packages are being developed for targeted technologies and their use cases. Key specific areas for potential collaboration between the two sides were pinpointed from the webinar including opportunities for business partnerships in food and agriculture, smart city and bio-energy sectors as well as research collaboration in topics of mutual interest such as green biorefinery. Continued dialogue between the policy-making bodies of both sides to exchange best practices and lessons learnt were also put forward. As Thailand and Denmark look forward to a new chapter of relations with a shared goal of building an economy that is healthier, greener and more inclusive, the Royal Thai Embassy in Copenhagen stands ready to facilitate and support future collaboration between the two sides.

INTERNATIONAL THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

ONLINE THIS WEEK

DENMARK, Norway and the US have teamed up with the Global Maritime Forum and the Maersk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping to transform the shipping industry into a more environmentally-friendly sector. The main goal is to make 5 percent of shipping fleets operate on zero-emission fuel by 2030.

Sweden rejects help THE SWEDISH health authority has rejected a plea from many of its hospitals to ask for help from both Denmark and Norway. Capacity is buckling under a crippling third wave of COVID-19 infections, and personnel are increasingly getting burnt out by the demands of the job. However, the authorities insist they have the “national capacity to meet the need for emergency treatment right now”.

Baltic co-operation TO MARK 100 years of diplomatic relations between Denmark and the Baltic states, the foreign ministers of Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have presented a new shared vision of co-operation. The countries have pledged to buff up security and defence as well as collaborate on issues of climate and green transition.

Pipeline delayed THE CONSTRUCTION of the pipeline project Baltic Pipe, which links Poland to gas fields in Norway, has been temporarily halted due to environmental concerns. The 900 km pipeline was planned to reduce Poland’s reliance on the Russian gas supply. The permit was initially approved in July 2019.

Baghdad embassy opens A DANISH embassy has opened in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad. According to the foreign minister, Jeppe Kofod, it will help Denmark support the international coalition's fight against Islamic State. Meanwhile, the embassy in Malaysia is being closed down. All Malaysian matters will be overseen from Jakarta.

Spies like us, the spied-on don't Sweden and Norway appalled with Denmark as evidence emerges that it helped the US to commit espionage LENA HUNTER

OTH NORWAY and Sweden have recently been in serious confidential talks with Denmark regarding the US surveillance of the two countries via Danish fibre-optic cables – a claim first made by US whistleblower Edward Snowden via Information in 2014. Apparently, Denmark's explanation has been found wanting. Meanwhile, Snowden himself made a tweet in Danish that translated as: “If only there had been some reason to investigate many years ago. Oh, why did no-one warn us?”

ONLINE THIS WEEK MATTHEW HENRY/STOCKSNAP

Green shipping bid

11- 24 June 2021

Norway and Sweden have finally joined the dots

the US intelligence service NSA has collaborated with the Danish defence intelligence agency, Forsvarets Efterretningstjeneste (FE), with regards to spying on targeted states and high ranking politicians in Germany, Norway, Sweden, and France from 2012-2014 through a facility in Denmark. As yet, no names of those targeted, nor information regarding what the FE and Danish politicians knew about the espionage, are on the table, according to DR’s anonymous sources. DR’s report alleges that the Danish defence minister, Trine Bramsen, has known of the espionage since August 2020, when it was detailed in a four-volume statement she received from PET, the Danish intelligence service.

unclear whether the eventual results of the investigation will be shared with international governments, reports DR. Bramsen, too, has also refused to be interviewed, but responded with a written statement that “systematic interception of close allies is unacceptable”.

Sweden opened up NOW YOU can plan ahead for a complete midsummer experience, since travelling to Sweden has just got way easier for Nordic residents. Its government lifted all restrictions on May 31, allowing them to visit Sweden without a negative COVID-19 test or any need to isolate. The decision is based on a continuous consultation with the country’s public health agency.

Military aid confirmed THE GOVERNMENT has parliamentary backing for its plans to send military contributions to the Sahel and Gulf of Guinea. From November 2021, for approximately five months, Denmark will send a frigate with a helicopter and a maritime task force to the Gulf of Guinea. And in January 2022, Denmark will send military contributions to special operations forces in the Sahel region in Africa.

No names confirmed ON MAY 30, DR revealed that

Keeping quiet FE HAS responded by sending home its managers and setting up an investigatory commission to address the criticism by the end of the year. However, in a response from the Ministry of Justice it was

Those named in 2014 ACCORDING to Information in 2014, details of the agreement appeared in a speech prepared for the then head of the NSA in 2012. The speech emphasised the “NSA's commitment to special access” and “the long-standing NSA-FE partnership to work with cable access". The NSA then obtained text messages and outgoing and incoming phone calls to politicians and officials throughout 2012 and 2014, reported DR. Targets of the 2014 NSA espionage included German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the then-German foreign minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and the then-German opposition leader, Peer Steinbrück.

Hijacking condemned

EU corona pass on the way

Foreign emission problem

Jab donations

THE LENGTHS at which the Lukashenko regime will go to quash opposition reached new heights on May 30 after a Ryanair flight passing through Belarus airspace was redirected to Minsk in order to arrest journalist and opposition activist Roman Protasevich. The foreign minister, Jeppe Kofod, said he was “deeply disturbed” by the incident and called for his immediate release. However, Protasevich remains in custody.

THE EUROPEAN Parliament and EU countries have agreed on a COVID-19 passport to make it easier to travel between member states from July 1. It is a free QR code, viewable via smartphone or paper, called 'EU Digital COVID certificate'. It is available to those who have been vaccinated, previously infected or have a negative corona test. It is also available to non-EU travellers – for example, from the UK or US.

SOME 62 percent of the industry's CO2 pollution in Denmark comes from foreign-owned companies whose emissions are covered by free EU quotas, according to a DR report using figures from the EU Commission and the Danish Energy Agency. And now the government is accordingly under pressure to raise the tax on CO2 emissions, with an expert group due to propose a tax reform in the autumn.

DENMARK is expecting to donate 358,700 AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine doses to Kenya via UNICEF – exactly the number due to expire on July 31. It is also eyeing a donation of 59,300 to Schleswig-Holstein, the northernmost state of Germany – the number due to expire on June 30. In April, Denmark discarded AstraZeneca due to a link with blood clots. Another 110,400 AZ doses will expire on August 31.

Completely unacceptable THE SWEDISH Joint Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee has demanded more information from Denmark before the summer holidays starts. “I don't think we have had satisfactory answers,” said the Swedish minister of defence, Peter Hultqvist. At the same time Norway questioned the role Denmark had in the case of espionage against its neighbours. “It is completely unacceptable,” said the Norwegian minister of defence, Frank Bakke-Jensen.

Aiding the transition DENMARK has revealed a new initiative to help developing countries switch to reliable green energy at an affordable price. Initially, Brazil, Pakistan and Colombia will reap the benefits of the initiative, which has been given the name Danish Energy Transition Initiative. All three aim to significantly increase electricity production by 2030, and they have all conveyed a strong interest in co-operating with Denmark.

NATIONAL

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ONLINE THIS WEEK

POUL SCHLÜTER, the PM of Denmark from 1982-1993, passed away on May 27. He was 92. As the longest-serving PM in Denmark since World War II, the Konservative was known for his tight economic policy. He later became an MEP.

Another hit-and-run A 29-YEAR-OLD man has been charged in connection with a hit and run accident that killed an 11-year-old girl in late May. As well as manslaughter, he has been charged with drink driving.

‘No isolation’ countries ISOLATION is no longer necessary for holiday-makers returning from countries marked yellow - an indicator their corona infection rate is sufficiently low. For example, parts of Spain are marked yellow, but others are marked orange. Meanwhile, foreigners with permanent residence in approved countries no longer need a recognisable purpose to enter Denmark.

Out on the trucks THE GOVERNMENT has given graduating students the green light to celebrate on their trucks this June, providing they have corona passes and keep a two-metre distance when singing, shouting, dancing or staying indoors. Most will celebrate on June 25 or 26. The ceremonies, meanwhile, should be as short as possible.

One in every six FOREIGNERS make up a total of 14 percent of the population in Denmark, according to Danmarks Statistik. People originating from Pakistan, Sweden and Turkey are over-represented in the capital municipalities, and likewise people from Syria, Romania and Germany in the countryside.

Capsule sales curbed ONE YEAR after the government introduced new rules to curb the sale of nitrous oxide capsules to children, consumption has more than halved.

Journo interviews swinger during sex

ONLINE THIS WEEK PIXABAY

Former PM dies

11- 24 June 2021

Media personalities question whether Radio4 segment was a publicity stunt PUCK WAGEMAKER

AAAH, hmmm, can you tell me what you’re seeing now?” asks Radio4 journalist Louise Fischer while moaning. ‘‘I see a delicious woman who is fucking me good,” came the reply from the swinger, who is clearly on top and doing all the work. Yes, you read that right. Fischer had sex with her interviewee. It might sound strange, but while reporting on the reopening of a swinger's club in Ishøj, the 26-year-old thought it made sense to go all the way and interview swingers while she was having sex. Gaining trust and insight ACCORDING to her, the swingers wouldn’t have let go as much as she wanted them to, if she had just interviewed them at the bar and watched. “The swinger scene is a very closed environment,” Fischer told Jyllands-Posten. “I knew before I came that I would not get the full insight, but I should at least create a kind of trust and credibility between me and them.” Executive: “I think it’s cool” Prior to the recording, Fischer's executives had given her the green light, but it was her own decision.

And afterwards she got to choose a shiny condom from the box

“They thought it was [a] fresh [angle], and they fully trusted that I only did what I wanted and could invent myself,” she said. “I think it's cool when our reporters experiment with making journalism in a different way,” Radio4 program chef Tina Kragelund told Jyllands-Posten. Heavily criticised HOWEVER, a number of different personalities from the Danish media world have criticised the decision. Even Poul Madsen, the former editor of Ekstra Bladet who spent much of his career fending off questions about sex worker adverts on his pages, felt that Fischer went too far. “I would say no thank you [if I was the editor],” he told 'Go' morgen Danmark on TV2. “If you have to cross the line where the journalist has to get involved in the story personally, it has to be because you get something out of it that you would not otherwise have gotten out of it.”

Lost her integrity “IF SHE had stood next to him and asked about the same thing, I'm sure he would have answered the same thing,” concurred culture journalist Aminata Corr on the same program. Lifestyle presenter Bubber, who has visited swinger clubs to make reports before, said he felt Fischer misfired with her interview and lost her integrity along the way. “It is similar to seeing Rasmus Tantholdt standing in the Gaza Strip and suddenly throwing stones over the fence!” he said. Just like parachuting HOWEVER, Radio4 head Anne-Marie Dohm has denied the interview was a media stunt to attract listeners. “It is a well-known journalistic discipline that you yourself participate in what you do journalism about: whether it's parachuting with some soldiers, or whatever it is,” she said. “There is not even anyone in the report who does something dangerous or something they do not want to do.”

Big five ready to act

Racism video goes viral

More over-80s

MPS ARE expected to back a new environmental bill that will give municipalities permission to create their own zero-emission zones. Already, Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense and Aalborg, along with Frederiksberg, are making plans to ban diesel cars without particulate filters from their centres. The bill also wants to ban wood-burning stoves produced before 2008 in areas where district heating and natural gas are provided.

A VIDEO of a Danish man verbally abusing an Arabic family at Kastrup Harbour went swiftly viral in late May. “What are you doing here? Get lost!” he shouted as Kodes Hamdi, a maths teacher together with her husband and two children, switched on her phone. “This is not your country, damn it: you are guests here,” he continued. The man later tearfully apologised via a tabloid.

THE OVER-80 age bracket today accounts for almost 5 percent of the total population, and this is expected to increase to around 10 percent from 2050, according to Danmarks Statistik. In related news, the number of births was 3.4 percent higher in the first quarter of 2021 than the same period in 2020. As of April 1, there were 5,843,347 people in Denmark.

“It must pay to work!” VENSTRE has withdrawn from talks to overhaul a benefits system constructed during its term of office, which Socialdemokratiet (S) has described as a “tangled” mess. In 2019, S appointed Ydelseskommission to propose a new system with no benefit ceiling, along with an alternative to the 225-hour rule. Venstre insists it must “pay to work”.

Khader wins again THE SUPREME Court has ruled that Naser Khader cannot be punished for his remarks about female imam Sherin Khankan. It found that his remarks were mostly based on facts. The verdict reminded Khankan that as an imam and public figure she should be able to take criticism like Khader's. Her unsuccessful lawsuit first failed in the High Court last year.

Lego breaks Lego record LEGO HOUSE in Billund is currently housing the world’s largest football built from Lego bricks. It can be viewed until July 11, the final day of Euro 2020. Built by employees, it weighs 2.5 tonnes and is over 4 metres high.

Slipping in the polls SOCIALDEMOKRATIET fell 3.9 percentage points in the latest opinion poll for Megafon for TV2 and Politiken. However, with 27.3 percent of the vote, it would still win one more seat than in its 2019 election victory. Pundits suggest voters are punishing the party for sending Syrian refugees home and announcing plans for an island to contain criminals marked for deportation.

Balcony fall rise TRAUME Centret at Rigshospitalet reports a significant increase in the number of children being hospitalised after falling from windows or balconies. In May alone, it caused seven children to be admitted to the hospital. Most of them are small children under the age of four. The warmer weather and parental inattention are blamed.

SCIENCE

11- 24 June 2021

Delay in vaccinating over-50s

ONLINE THIS WEEK PIXABAY

Missing out A REVISION of the childhood vaccination program for 12 year-old-boys and girls has not had the desired effect. It was pointed out that boys born in 2006 and the first half of 2007 were not automatically being offered the HPV vaccination, but since their inclusion only six out of 10 have taken it. They have until 1 July 2021 to get a free jab.

Fish disease detected THE INFECTIOUS hematopoietic necrosis, a disease deadly to fish that cannot infect humans, has been detected at a trout fish farm in Stouby in southern Jutland – the first case in Denmark.

Some centres have been wrinkle-free of late

Regional age differences to blame for teenagers overtaking their Jutland aunts and uncles in the queue BEN HAMILTON

EENAGERS in the Capital Region have already received their first jab, while people in their early 50s in north Jutland are still waiting for theirs, even though the 50-54 age bracket is ahead of the 16-19 & 45-49 age bracket in the vaccination queue. The youngsters are skipping ahead, despite having a far lower risk of dying or being seriously ill should they contract corona, because the vaccines have been distributed to the regions based on their population sizes. This means the Capital Region has received a lot more than North Jutland, and because it has a much lower proportion of over-50s, it has already moved on to the 16-19 & 45-49 bracket. A far higher percentage of the north Jutland population is over the age of 50: hence the delay. This is a blow, because for several months the government has insisted most restrictions could be fully lifted once all the over-50s are vaccinated, which initially appeared to be within reach by mid-July. But not if they’re still queuing up for their first one in north Jutland! “We are always a little behind here

No corona effect on religion RESEARCHERS in international studies have found there is a connection between the coronavirus pandemic and the growing interest in religion. But this does not apply to Denmark, according to a new study called 'COVID-19: religion, well-being and existence'.

anyway,” Anni Jespersen, a north Jutlander in her 50s, cheerfully told TV2 at Håndværkervej in Aalborg, where she was queuing for her first vaccination jab.

Eye damage concerns

100 parties involved

MORE THAN 100 companies, universities and organisations have joined forces to design a roadmap for Denmark’s heavy transport, shipping, aviation, and maritime shipping industry to quit fossil fuels and convert to green fuels. This roadmap is expected to help resolve major challenges and fulfil the country’s climate goals in 2030 and 2050.

California screening DANISH engineering consultancy Rambøll has won a five-year project to make the water supply in drought-stricken California more sustainable. In partnership with Aarhus University, geophysical surveyors SkyTEM and an American partner, Rambøll will map the groundwater in an area of California one and a half times larger than Denmark.

EYE PATIENTS are facing waits of up Antibiotics the cause to a year to see an ophthalmologist, reports DR. Some are losing their sight or A NEW STUDY conducted by the sustaining permanent eye injuries in the University of Copenhagen found that meantime. While setting up more outpa- many one-year-old Danish infants carry tient clinics would increase capacity, “the hundreds of antibiotic-resistant genes in Always busy with corona IN FIVE other pieces of corona news, challenge is the lack of ophthalmologists,” their intestinal systems. One of the main Statens Serum Institut has confirmed that said Socialdemokratiet regional politician reasons is that their mothers have taken antibiotics during their pregnancies. deliveries from both Johnson & Johnson Anders Kühnau. and AstraZeneca continue to pour into Denmark, and that nothing can be done to stop them. The number of PCR tests has fallen: from around 175,000 a day two months ago to 150,000 during the final week of May. There are more quick tests and more people are vaccinated. Due to delays affecting the delivery of the Moderna vaccine throughout Europe, the end of the Danish vaccination calendar has been pushed back by another two weeks to September 12. A 30-year-old woman from the Capital Region has received compensation of 5,000 kronerafter suffering a rare but very serious side-effect after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine – the first person to receive a sum. A DR survey of nine health experts Artisan Cake revealed that six would like to see 8-12 & Candy Comfort weeks between injections, not the curBoxes. rently recommended five to six-week gap. Made honestly, The UK, Norway and Finland have all wrapped sustainably extended the gap between jabs. & delivered straight to Tibet is rising - study your door. IT IS OFTEN questioned whether Tibet, www.daddysbakes.dk 'the roof of the world', has always been this high, and now a researcher from the University of Copenhagen has discovered that it has risen by about 600 metres over the last 20-30 million years.

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DANIEL Bentien, the editor of the country’s most popular cinema listings site kino.dk, has confirmed that the score of ‘Marco effekten’, the latest Department Q film, is being lowered from 4.9/6 to 2.8 due to suspicious scores made by anonymous reviewers. The average score from reviewers who left comments was 1.7, according to Ekko film magazine. In total, 910 reviews were left in the five days following its late May release. The film was also panned by critics. The film’s producer Nordisk Film denies any involvement in posting the reviews.

Scaled-down Passage THE ANNUAL Passage Festival held a scaled-down edition over the weekend of May 29-30, which mostly consisted of a program of street theatre near the walls of Marienlyst Castle. Traditionally held in the Danish and Swedish towns of Helsingør and Helsingborgs, the organisers elected to go for an all-Danish affair of performances, activities and family experiences.

Danish, but in Greece ‘BACHELOR’, a Danish version of the long-running US dating show, has started amid great fanfare on TV2 Play. Some 18 women will vie for the attention of the coveted bachelor, hoping that at the end of the day he will present them with a rose. Casper Berthelsen, a 32-yearold former captain in the Air Force who works in HR at the Ministry of Defence, is the bachelor. The series is mostly being shot in Greece.

In exclusive company FIVE REGULAR Danes have won a nationwide contest to appear on a range of stamps from September 16: one from each region of the country. They will become the first living people to do so – outside the Royal Family. Portraits of the winners will appear on PostNord’s ‘hverdagens helte’ (everyday heroes) range. Among them was Nancy Maati, who organises an annual Christmas party for the less fortunate in Holbæk – remarkable as she is in fact a Muslim.

Lord of all the things you love about live theatre! «««««¶

MIKLOS SZABO

Kino uncovers scam

11- 24 June 2021

PERFORMANCE REVIEW

IVETT NAHOCZKY

HINK YOU’VE seen it all when it comes to JRR Tolkien’s 'The Hobbit'? Because this Danish drama will surprise you, over and above, so Middle-Earth and beyond! This family-friendly play, albeit in Danish, is currently being staged by the Royal Theatre in Dyrehaven, the famous deer park near Klampenborg, every day bar Sunday until July 25. For English-speakers familiar with the story, this is still heartily recommended. As Bilbo might have told Frodo in the sequel: go east my friend! Top showmanship JUST A short walk from civilization, we arrive at an impressive scene: a semi-circular raised platform in the middle of the forest with a backdrop teeming with possibility. The surrounding area makes the scene both mysterious and magical, and the actors use the park itself to widen the visual appeal of the play. The old and the new are used, from real horses and historic looking costumes, to drones doubling as eagles and numerous special effects. It's not just a play at times, it's showmanship! Giant-size puppets come to life, often so large that two or three actors are needed to move them at a time, while illuminat-

Drinking a cuppa is a two-puppeteer job

ed creatures thrillingly emerge from the woods Plenty of reflection too THE TWO and a half hour running time of this dazzling quickly passes, but not without reflection upon the testimony of good and evil, that sometimes less is more, and that maybe simplicity is the new way to be content. Dyrehaven is easy to travel to by S-train and the stage itself is approximately an eight-minute walk from Bakken, the worlds oldest amusement park. 'The Hobbit' was postponed due to the COVID-19 pan-

demic, but it is worth the wait. Corona restrictions of course apply, and it is recommended for over-sixes, quite possibly due to its challenging duration. Again, we must stress that it is not necessary to speak or even understand the language to enjoy this spectacle if you are familiar with the story. So pack a blanket, and bring some snacks and drinks for a Tolkienesque evening of the highest order!

THE HOBBIT ends July 3, performances Tue-Sat 20:30, many nights are sold out; staged at Ulvedalene; tickets 150590kr, kglteater.dk

Roskilde program unveiled Distortion after all

Aussie stand-up’s visit

THE ROSKILDE Festival might have been cancelled, but it will still be entertaining the masses. Its event series ‘Summer Days’ will be staged over eight days from June 24-27 and July 1-4, combining music, street art, activism and performance with a focus on “young voices and attitudes” at the festival site in Roskilde, according to the program manager, Anders Wahrén. Tickets cost 425-495 kroner, but they are quickly selling out.

AUSTRALIAN stand-up Hannah Gadsby is bringing her ‘Body of Work’ tour to Denmark early next year. After performing in Aalborg, she will perform at DR Koncerthuset on February 12. In related news, opera star Andrea Bocelli is bringing his 'Believe' World Tour to Royal Arena on April 3 (Jyske Bank Boxen on April 1), and electro pop pioneer Gary Numan is playing at Amager Bio on May 29 (Train in Aarhus on May 27).

DISTORTION surprised Copenhagen and went ahead with a bite-sized version last week called ‘There's Something in the Air’. For 20 minutes each night from 19:00, starting last Wednesday, a pretty loud concert was performed in Nørrebro, Vesterbro, the city centre and “floating on the water” in the harbour. Organiser Thomas Fleurquin said was in keeping with Distortion being “a game with urban space”

ONLINE THIS WEEK Braveheart vs Brexit DR HAS the rights to show 32 of the 51 matches of Euro 2020, and it has confirmed it will be encouraging the country to hold ‘Fantastic Football Parties’ within their own local communities, where people can congregate and celebrate, with a hint that more than a few venues favoured by expats might get a visit from the TV cameras. “We believe the battle between England and Scotland will be even more interesting if one gets to scratch the two countries' centuries-old common history up from Braveheart to Brexit,” noted DR News executive Anders Kern Boje.

BT cuts Sunday paper BT IS DISCONTINUING its Sunday newspaper, instead choosing to expand its Saturday edition. While the tabloid newspaper concedes it will help to reduce the cost of its newspaper production, it believes a weekend edition will help it to “keep up with the times”, said editor-in-chief Michael Dyrby, according to DR.

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The dual pretenders to FC Copenhagen's crown

FCM/FACEBOOK

Bears champs again THE BAKKEN Bears recently won their fifth league basketball title in a row, and 19th overall, with a 4-2 finals defeat of Horsens IC. The fifth title in a row ties a Danish record set by BMS from 1985-90. Coach Steffen Wich, who guided the Bears to 13 titles along with the FIBA Europe Cup semi finals in 2018 and 2020, is leaving to enter local politics.

AGF take final Euro spot AGF AARHUS became the last team in Denmark to qualify for European football next season following a dramatic penalty shootout against rivals AaB Aalborg in a playoff. The game ended 1-1 but AaB subsequently missed three of their penalties in the shootout. The win means AGF will be in the pot when the second round of qualifiers for the new UEFA Conference League is drawn.

Under-21 Euro woe DENMARK were inches away from reaching a historic semi-final at the 2021 Under-21 Euros, but ended up losing on penalties to Germany after drawing 2-2. The Danes took the lead through teen sensation Wahid Faghir, 17, with 20 minutes to go, but the Germans equalised just two minutes from time. Faghir is the youngest ever player to score at the finals. Germany would go on to beat Portugal in the final.

No miracle on ice DENMARK just missed out on reaching the knockout phase of the IIHF World Championship in ice hockey after losing to the Czech Republic 3-4 in a dramatic penalty shootout after the game finished 1-1 in overtime. Denmark beat Britain, Belarus and, for the first time in the tournament, Sweden. But losses to Russia, Switzerland and Slovakia proved too costly in the end. Canada ended up beating Finland in the final of the tournament.

A powerhouse is emerging in central Jutland

FC Midtjylland and Brentford both have a claim to be the biggest Danish club

emerged, both threatening to throw FCK off its perch as the world’s biggest Danish club.

CHRISTIAN WENANDE

INCE ITS relatively recent creation in 1992, FC Copenhagen has been the undisputed king of Danish football – particularly in terms of flexing its financial muscles and making waves in Europe. Thirteen titles, a total of 20 top-two finishes in 28 seasons, eight Danish cups, and an appearance in the knockout round of the Champions League tell a story of domestic dominance and all-round success. However, of late, two pretenders to the crown have

Huge investor at FCM THE FIRST is FC Midtjylland, the 2020 Superliga winners and this year’s runners-up, but it is not because of its footballing prowess. News broke last week that Anders Holch Povlsen, the richest man in the country, has agreed to invest in the club. The owner of clothing giant Bestseller, who has previously invested in former F1 driver Kevin Magnussen, is worth an estimated 67 billion kroner. Povlsen, who has been spotted at some FCM home games in the past, has decided to pump

Squad confirmed MALMØ FF midfielder and captain Anders Christiansen was the surprise inclusion in Denmark’s Euro 2020 squad. Coach Kasper Hjulmand mostly opted for players from the English Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga and Serie A. In total he selected four Superliga players: three from FC Copenhagen, one from FC Midtjylland, and none from title winners Brøndby.

125 million kroner into FCM to acquire 25 percent of the shares of the club. It makes good sense as Bestseller’s headquarters is located in Brande, just south of Herning. Brentford in top tier THE SECOND pretender to the crown is English side Brentford, which two weekends ago won promotion to the Premier League for the first time in 74 years. Of course, it is a tenuous claim that Brentford is a ‘Danish club’, but manager Thomas Frank, the director of football Rasmus Ankersen, and seven of the club’s players are Danish. Ankersen is also the chair

of FCM, which he oversees on behalf of the owner Matthew Benham, who is, you’ve guessed it, also the owner of Brentford. Frank has been named the Danish coach of the year for his exploits with Brentford, which comfortably beat Swansea City 2-0 in the playoff final – a game routinely described as being worth 170 million pounds to the winner. Of the seven Danes at Brentford, Christian Nørgaard and Mathias Jensen have been included in Denmark’s Euro 2020 squad. Denmark warmed up for Euro 2020 by drawing Germany 1-1 and beating Bosnia-Hercegovina 2-0 in two pre-tournmant friendlies.

New coach for FCM

Andreas is number 12

No Olympics for Clara

FC MIDTJYLLAND, the runners-up in the Superliga this season, have presented Bo Henriksen as their new coach to replace Brian Priske following his move to take over at Belgian side Antwerp. Priske’s win record at FCM, which he guided to the 2020 Superliga title, was over 58 percent. Henriksen coached AC Horsens for six years until August 2020.

ANDREAS Christensen became the 12th Dane to win Europe’s premier club tournament when Chelsea beat Manchester City 1-0 in the Champions League final on May 29. A Dane had not won it since 2003 when Jon Dahl Tomasson, Thomas Helveg and Martin Laursen won medals with AC Milan. Johnny Hansen was the first when he triumphed with Bayern Munich in the 1970s.

CLARA Tauson, 18, looks set to miss out on the Olympics in Japan following her 5-7, 4-6 second round loss to former world number one Victoria Azarenka at the French Open. The defeat leaves her unlikely to make the cut for the Olympics as she remains some way off in the world rankings. Ranked 90th, she would need to rise up to 56th by June 14.

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Copenhageners love working at home

ONLINE THIS WEEK MALOUETTE

Bullish GDP forecast DESPITE a 1.3 percent dip in GDP over the first quarter, the economy is expected to grow by 2.1 percent this year, and by 3.8 percent in 2022, according to the 2021 Convergence Program. Next year, it is forecasting the highest GDP growth in 15 years. Fiscal policy, including the various compensation schemes, is estimated to have saved 85,000 jobs in 2021 and 40,000 in 2022. Meanwhile, exports grew by 6.1 percent during Q1.

Through the roof! THE COST of roofing, masonry and carpentry services has risen markedly over the past five years in comparison to the wider services industry – by 16, 14 and 12 percent respectively. In comparison, the average rise across the general services industry has been 8 percent.

Post contract extension THE GOVERNMENT has agreed to apply for a temporary extension to Post Danmark’s contract to handle its nationwide universal service obligations up to and including 2022. It follows long-term political negotiations concerning a new permanent postal agreement in response to the decline in paper mail and the rise in e-commerce.

Crowdfunding central A NEW STUDY by Paymentsense has found that Copenhagen is the best city around the world to get money for a crowdfunding project. The average amount raised through crowdfunding is 931,000 kroner. Meanwhile, Denmark is the fourth best country.

THE MAGASIN du Nord department store chain has been sold to the German retail group Peek & Cloppenburg by the debt-stricken British company Debenhams. The new German owner is a family-run company and has 140 stores in 15 countries. Magasin has stores in Copenhagen, Lyngby, Rødovre, Amager, Odense, Aarhus and Aalborg.

Bella Center sale rumours ONE OF Copenhagen's largest conference facilities, Bella Center in Ørestad, may be about to change hands. The company behind the centre, BC Hospitality Group, is looking for a new owner, reports Standby. The Fiyaz family, who have previously invested in Magasin and Illum, are potential buyers, according to the company register.

Housing prices soaring HOUSING prices rose across the nation over the first quarter of 2021. Summerhouse prices increased by 4.5 percent, while there was a 3.6 percent rise for single-household family homes, and 3.2 percent for apartments. Trading activity also increased: by 32.5 percent for holiday homes and around 9 percent for both family homes and apartments.

Magasin sold to Germans

Ørsted nets partnership View from the window: commuting is a mug's game

New survey ranks capital’s workers as the least anxious in the world

Most anxious workers COPENHAGEN was followed

by Prague, Zurich, Reykjavík and Berlin in the rankings. Oslo, Ljubljana, Bratislava, Amsterdam and Vienna completed the top ten. South African city Cape Town ranked bottom followed by Athens and Istanbul. Research published by Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonprofit organisation that focuses on health issues, revealed that both remote and onsite workers are also grappling with serious mental health consequences due to COVID-19.

Among the elite

Bad news in Britain

Internet-savvy elderly

MÆRSK, Ørsted and Lego have been listed amongst Time Magazine’s 100 most influential companies of 2021. Mærsk was praised for shipping around 13 million containers in 2020, Ørsted was lauded for selling off its oil and gas assets in 2017 and pivoting to renewable energy, and Lego was hailed for making learning-through-play accessible to millions of families during the corona lockdown.

THE HIGH Court in London has rejected a multi-billion kroner lawsuit against the British financier Sanjay Shah, which the Skattestyrelsen tax agency filed in 2018, on the grounds that the British courts may not be used to conduct tax proceedings in other countries. Skattestyrelsen, which accuses Shah of masterminding a scam to deprive the Danish treasury of 12.7 billion kroner, has been ordered to pay legal costs of 2.4 billion.

WITH 94 percent, Denmark has the highest share of people aged 65-74 who used the internet in the last three months, according to a Eurostat survey. The Nordics accounted for three of the top five, and Bulgaria, Croatia and Greece were the worst performers. However, it's not entirely great news: older people are almost four times more likely to share fake news on Facebook than younger generations!

ARZIA TIVANY WARGADIREDJA

HE PANDEMIC has crippled many – physically, mentally and financially. But Copenhageners who work at home have emerged relatively unscathed, according to a new ranking, which suggests they are the least anxious anywhere in the world. To study the effect of the pandemic on those who work

at home, Small Business Prices assessed 43 cities to reveal where they are most likely to face anxiety. And its study concludes that Copenhagen has been the best place. Indeed, many workers based at home remain confident they have a promising career ahead of them despite the pandemic. Copenhagen topped the ranking for both contentment, annual working hours and rates of depression.

WIND ENERGY giant Ørsted has become an official partner of Copenhagen 2021, the huge LGBTI+ event set to take over the Danish capital and Malmö during the second ten days of August. “The partnership is a natural extension of our strong focus on inclusion and diversity in the workplace,” said Mette Nørr Gantzhorn, the head of diversity, inclusion and well-being at Ørsted.

Men taking more leave COHABITING parents who had a child in 2019 took an average of 280 days of maternity leave and 34 days of paternity leave. Corresponding figures from 2015 to 2019 show that men have taken approximately one day leave more each year, while the trend is opposite and a little slower for women.

Historic purchase A NEW CHAPTER in the digital history of Denmark has been written: a payment approved using MitID, which will replace NemID from August. Lene Vangsgaard Andersen, a citizen testing the system, made the historic swipe on May 12, paying 200 kroner for some pretty pricey flødeboller.

11- 24 June 2021

BUSINESS OPINION

Use your differences AS AN ENTREPRENEUR in a new country, it’s easy to get distracted at the start. You see opportunities everywhere and always have too many ideas. It is therefore important to have a clear picture of what you want to achieve, as well as what you don’t want to achieve, in your first year. It will help you to move closer to what you want to achieve, and you will have a clearer drive and direction. As an expat entrepreneur in Denmark, it is also very important to use your differences: strength, culture, values. This is

Always aim big WHEN I launched my startup in Denmark, I made a clear and quick calculation that I must generate a high-profit margin with high ROI in one to three years in order to expand faster in the real estate business. My goal was always clear: I must see a ‘gain’ – even in the first year. I didn’t want to spend years trying to get back my investment. If you can't see a 'gain' from the start, then it's probably not the right market or right time. My profit margin needed to be high but my investment capital not too large. Most importantly, I didn’t want the business to rely on having

WINNIE TANGO IN WINNIE'S WORLD There are business opportunities everywhere for expats in a new country, as we all have different backgrounds and skills to stand out: all you need is a crazy gut instinct to discover the gap in the market. Winnie’s real estate business is testament to how one can succeed. Follow her on LinkedIn at ‘Winnie Tang Tango’.

ED LEY FIT FOR BUSINESS CEOs and Olympic medal-winning athletes come to Ed (edley. net) for help to optimise their physical and mental performance. Using neuroscience and body work techniques, his methods improve their energy, health, fulfilment and well-being. And as the co-host of the Global Denmark podcast, he has his finger on issues pertinent to expats in Denmark.

Look for the gap and the gain will follow

many employees, even though I knew my time and energy would be limited at the beginning. Let's inspire each other TOO OFTEN, you will hear that you should stick to the market price – but while this advice is often right, sometimes it is worth questioning it? It might, after all, inspire you to create something new. If your value and your market are markedly different, why do you need to follow the so-called

tempts to leave it alone create discomfort … until it starts all over again the next day.

and potential occurrences, will impact it. Invariably, when life happens, the plan doesn’t.

Sleepless nights: without the energy obtained from a good night’s sleep, they start the day tired, finding it difficult to get out of bed, and end the day wired, finding it difficult to wind down and get to sleep. This often goes hand in hand with a real energy slump upon arriving home where they REALLY want to have energy for their kids and partner, but they struggle to keep their eyes open.

Willpower over skill power: Plans based on a predictable future and unlimited willpower runs into trouble when it meets reality. Instead, base a plan on skill power. Play to your strengths! Dictate your own diary: don’t say yes before you get the details, don’t give a response unless it's genuine, and never say “What time works for you?” Sharpen up or soon you’ll be committed to someone else’s agenda.

market price? The big potential lies in creating your own value in your own market. In some cases, doing the opposite to your competitors, instead of just copying their model, is the key to achieving more. Identify the gap in the market and provide what is missing in the business. Follow Winnie’s World so we can inspire each other, and please connect with me on LinkedIn at 'Winnie Tang Tango'. PIXABAY

URING my 14 years working as a trainer and coach I’m frequently asked: “What stops you from getting what you want?” If you can recognise what’s holding you back and reduce or remove its hold, then moving forward is simple and often rapid. Continuing to focus on finding the accelerator without ever releasing the breaks is a recipe for disappointment. These are the seven most frequent mistakes.

Open the doors!

Listen to your instincts: it’s funny how 95 percent of our actions come from listening to our bodies, but we haven’t properly learned how to trust our instincts.

Know your values: our brain works so hard to show us as the hero of our story that it is hard to know when we are showing up as ourselves and when we are acting out of alignment with our own best interests. Stick to your values or you’ll end up doing all the things you said you wouldn’t do and end up plagued by guilt and frustration.

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My mate ‘Moby’: their mobile phone grabs them first thing in the morning, often setting the mood for what the rest of the day will be like. Once work is over, they continue to check their email and other messaging services, leaving them in a constant state of urgency. At-

Failure is not the end: they decide what they want to achieve and then when it, or part of it, doesn’t go smoothly, they decide it’s too difficult and stop, forgetting that failure is part of the process to success. The key is planning: assessing how others,

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what will make you stand out. The fastest way to success is to find the gap in the market in the business you want to go into.

N MY WORLD, I always become even more motivated and excited to achieve bigger things if someone tells me that it cannot be done.

12 OPINION

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11- 24 June 2021

Can we smell common sense?

AST WEEK, the 2020-21 Parliamentary Year concluded with a 16-hour debate. It was mostly pretty frivolous.

Nonsensical on immigration IN THE political arena, meanwhile, harsh policies regarding foreigners are seen as the way forward: the more inhuman the better, even if recent efforts have demonstrated that too much nationalistic nonsense will make coming down painful. Attempts to house criminal refugees marked for deportation on Langeland nosedived, and so will the internationally condemned plans for the offshore refugee centre – in Burundi or Rwanda, it is rumoured. A wakeup call from the EU is needed to end this charade in a sensible way. And then there’s the case of the mothers and children left to rot in the Kurdish camps in Syria. Given the government stance, it’s surprising they weren’t extradited to

Blinkered view of Syria IT’S FUNNY how the government continues to hold onto the idea that it’s safe enough in Syria for thousands granted asylum in Denmark to return home – with or without a guarantee from the Syrian government for their safety. These refugees are living here: we know them and think that they, for the most part, are nice people living peacefully on a day-to-day basis. They sought asylum because they could not live a safe life under the regime of President Assad, who has just been re-elected with more than 85 percent of the popular vote. We foresee another downward climb! Nice summer within reach THE SUMMER holiday season is here, and perhaps it’s time to ease some of the many draconian restrictions on travel – particularly with vaccinated tourists in mind. Reconsider the need for facemasks, disinfection, testing and distance, and less of the ‘taskforce’ clamping down on hotspots, please. A bit more freedom and we can all have a nice summer. Making it happen is not an enigma – it’s just plain common sense. (ES)

An Actor’s Life A resident here since 1990, Ian Burns is the artistic director at That Theatre Company and very possibly Copenhagen’s best known English language actor thanks to roles as diverse as Casanova, Shakespeare and Tony Hancock.

PIXABAY

A new paradigm CORONA is clearly not an issue of paramount importance anymore. Yes, it’s still out there, and we remain cautious, but we do not fear it anymore. Vaccination is taking its time, but the vulnerable groups are safe, the kids are back at school, and their parents are returning to their desks – surprisingly not too eagerly. As a report recently confirmed, working from home in Denmark is not too bad at all – a new paradigm has been born. Counting your office hours is out, and productivity is in, with workers now more self-propellant than ever. The value of their effort is now based on what they deliver. In truth, we had been waiting for this to happen. And it took the coronavirus to create it.

stand trial in Denmark to underline recent legislation to harden the conditions to obtain Danish citizenship. Instead a long saga ensued, ending with the PM climbing down and agreeing to receive the kids and some of the mothers. Their reasoning is that they might otherwise become a security risk, which is pure nonsense, of course. They just need a caring adult, of which there is apparently a short supply in the government.

IAN BURNS

’VE LIVED here in Denmark since 1 August 1990 and, every four years since then, my mother-in-law has teased me whenever there has been a general election by asking me: “Hvem skal du stemme på?” (who are you going to vote for?). It is I, Ian the Dane AFTER a short pause, she would follow with: “Men, du kan ikke stemme fordi du er ikke dansker” (of course, you can’t vote, can you, because you’re not Danish!). Slightly cruel perhaps, but it became a running gag that we both enjoyed. Well, dear reader, this gag might soon be null and void because at last I have taken the step to try and become a Danish citizen. Many Brits living here in Denmark have felt the urge to do the same following the self-inflicted disaster that is Brexit, so that we can continue to travel across Europe as Europeans.

On to the next stage ON JUNE 2, I joined 19 other souls in a well-aired classroom to take the first part of the Indfødselsretsprøven (citizenship test). This took the form of 40 multiple-choice questions – each with three possible answers. These questions were based on 147 pages of information about Danish culture and history, and the last five questions were general knowledge about Denmark today. I needed to get 32 of these questions correct and have since found out that I only got two wrong. Now I’ll go on to the next stages of this exam: a verbal and a written test. So, I’m a Viking-in-waiting

A flag worth flying, eh Ian?

and will soon, I hope, be able to tell my mother-in-law who I’ll be voting for. It all starts with education EDUCATION will surely influence my choice, and it’s always impressed me that Denmark has high ambitions for its educational standards that try to ensure that its citizens are able to find employment in a competitive world. I’m a big believer that schools, together with parents, should aim to give students the skills that prepare them for further education: to encourage them to want to learn more, not only about Danish culture, but to give them an understanding of other cultures and to appreciate the importance of caring for the planet we live on. I applaud how the Danish education system allows and creates frameworks that stimulate students’ imaginations and their confidence to be able to make decisions. It prepares students who want to engage and participate in a society that prides itself on intellectual freedom and a democracy characterised by equality.

What a load of rubbish GAVIN Williamson, the inept education secretary in the UK, who is himself a pitiful communicator, should try to emulate this Danish example. But then again, Britain is currently distracted with its bid to become the binman of the universe: the leader and vanguard for the refuse collection of the stars. It’s an ambitious and far-reaching plan indeed, which is sadly necessary as there seems to be no limits to the amount of rubbish humans leave lying about, on earth, as it is in the heavens. First, though, it might be an idea for ‘global’ Britain to start tidying up its own backyard and to stop sending its plastic to be disposed of in other countries. Vast amounts of British plastic waste – 7.133 metric tonnes every year in fact – are sent annually to non-OECD countries including Malaysia, Pakistan, Vietnam, Indonesia and Turkey. OECD is an international organization that works to build better policies for better lives. Basically, ‘global’ Britain is sweeping its rubbish under someone else’s rug. Jolly decent of us eh?

OPINION

11- 24 June 2021

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JESSICA ALEXANDER

The Road Less Taken

Englishman in Nyhavn JACK GARDNER

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

Danes are very empathetic: They teach empathy to children. It starts in pre-school, continuing up to the age of 16, and is seen as just as important as teaching Maths or English. Empathy is a key factor in happiness. It connects us to others, works on the same neural pathways as forgiveness, and is a skill that can be both learned and taught. In America, studies show that empathy levels have dropped 50 percent since the 1980s and 90s, while narcissism has increased twofold. Danes love to play: ’Leg godt’, which means ‘play well’, are the words behind the famous Danish brand Lego. Danes are big believers in the importance of unstructured play, as it has been

Living Faith REVD SMITHA PRASADAM VISIT DENMARK/NICLAS JESSEN

HILE AMERICA adjusts to the new era of a Biden presidency, one often accuses the Democratic Party of being too ‘socialist’. This generally conjures up negative imagery and the slow destruction of the American dream. Denmark, typically touted as a ‘socialist’ country, has been voted as one of the happiest places in the world for over 40 years in a row. Considering the pursuit of happiness is written into the American Declaration of Independence, it begs to question: what is it about that word we are so afraid of? If we looked at Danes, for example, not as socialists but as ‘sociable’, is there anything new we might see behind the label? Here are four little known facts about how Danes are sociable – not socialist.

IN 2 ISSUES

Mackindergarten ADRIAN MACKINDER

Green Spotlight SIBYLLE DE VALENCE IN 3 ISSUES

A Dane Abroad KIRSTEN LOUISE PEDERSEN

Straight, No Chaser

Nothing socialist about this lot!

proven to reduce anxiety while improving self-control, negotiation skills and social skills. Free play helps kids feel more in control of their lives and improves well-being. Danes don’t spank: Spanking has been illegal in Denmark for over 20 years. For most Danes, spanking is an unthinkable way of educating children. The belief is that if you teach respect and act respectfully, then you will be respected. Perhaps it’s no surprise that Denmark has also repeatedly been named one of the most peaceful and democratic countries in the world. Danes value togetherness: The concept of hygge, which basically means to cosy around together, is a deep part of the Danish culture. Essentially it is drama-free time with family and friends. It is highly valued and everyone makes an effort

to make it happen. It results in ‘we time’ not ‘me time’, and this takes a little effort. Danes work together to enjoy the moment and the company, rather than fighting, competing or complaining. Feeling connected to others brings meaning and purpose to all of our lives and has an incredibly positive effect on our health and well-being. So if we got rid of the label ‘socialist’ and replaced it with ‘sociable’, would the concept be more welcome in the heart of America? If we raised our children with more empathy, eliminated physical punishment, and learned to value hygge – while giving up the ‘me’ for the ‘we’, what difference could this make? Democrat or Republican, looking at the happiness results year after year, it’s hard not to see that being a little more ‘sociable’ isn’t that bad.

STEPHEN GADD IN 4 ISSUES

Early Rejser ADAM WELLS

Crazier than Christmas VIVIENNE MCKEE IN 5 ISSUES

Mishra’s Mishmash MRUTYUANJAI MISHRA

Straight Up ZACH KHADUDU

14 COMMUNITY

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

ABOUT TOWN

11- 24 June 2021

PHOTOS BY HASSE FERROLD

South Korean ambassador Sang-jin Park was among the dignitaries in attendance at Global Food Talks in central Copenhagen on May 25

UAE ambassador Fatima Khamis Al Mazrouei has pledged her allegiance to Denmark ahead of Euro 2020 starting

Hans Hermansen, the CEO of CPH POST, recently met with Colombian ambassador Ana Maria Palacio Calle to discuss a future possible collaboration

The British Chamber of Commerce held its AGM on the top floor of the Radisson Collection on May 28. Among those in attendance were Gareth Garvey (left), the chamber's CEO, and British ambassador Emma Hopkins (centre left)

Director Jeremy Thomas Poulsen and actress Dina Rosenmeier of HIT Copenhagen have been busy recently. Both were at the premiere of ‘The Rapture’ on June 3, a live-screened performance from Australia, which a meet & greet audience viewed at LiteraturHaus

French ambassador Caroline Ferrara was the proud host at a screening of 'Été 85', the opening film of Franske Filmmandage, which is ongoing until September 6 at Grand Teatret. Here she is pictured with Kim Foss, the managing director of the cinema

COMMUNITY

11- 24 June 2021

Corona: conversely the leg up sport-inclined internationals needed ROSELYNE MIN

T’S OFTEN overlooked, but corona has been a godsend for many: from those who live next door to nightclubs to couch potatoes who can finally dedicate their lives to Netflix and not be frowned upon. To that list you can add new arrivals to Denmark who find it hard to join sports clubs because of the long long waiting lists and language barrier. One of the problems is the amount of effort the authorities put into encouraging lazy Danes to join sports clubs, leaving a limited number of spaces for internationals. In 2015, the country’s two biggest sports associations, DIF and DGI, launched a strategic plan called ’25-50-75’. By 2025, it aimed to have at least 75 percent of all Danes practising a sport – and at least 50 percent to be practising a sport at a sports club. You might notice how the bit about internationals … kind of get left out. Well, the Coronavirus Crisis put a spoke in those wheels, and the result is that the door has opened widely again for internationals to join sports clubs. One such establishment is Inter’nastics, an international gymnastics club based in DGIByen near Copenhagen Central Station. CPH POST recently met up with its founders, Sebastian Holmskov and Hjalte Gregersen, along with some of its members, to find out more. Making a difference GREGERSEN, 27, a multi-media designer, started to expand his international social sphere during his master’s. Meanwhile, Holmskov, also 27 - the pair in fact met through gymnastics when they were aged just 11 - got the bug working at a restaurant with a big interna-

tional staff and lots of foreign customers. It was clear to them both that Copenhagen needed an international gymnastics perspective. “We wanted to start an international gymnastic team because there was, to our knowledge, no international teams in Copenhagen,” they said. “We as Danes have a lot to learn from other cultures and a lot we can give as well. Gymnastics holds a lot of cultural aspects that are central to the ‘Danish’ mentality: values such as associations, social gatherings and an open and welcoming community.” It is the pair’s contention that the authorities, along with certain other parties, make sport less accessible for internationals than it could be. “The associations could do more, while the politicians are too problem-focused and do not look for solutions or even ask for input. We think that would be a good first step,” they suggest.

Rena Sophie Riekenberg

Poor communications FOR GERMAN student Rena Sophie Riekenberg, who is studying a master’s at CBS, it was a huge surprise to discover that so few adult gymnastics clubs catered to internationals. She spent an evening googling every club, and it was pretty dis-spiriting to see they were so Danish-centric. Finally she came across a club that said it was ‘international’: Inter’nastics. “The teaching language being in English is definitely a big plus. I don’t speak a word of Danish, so I couldn’t do it if it was in Danish,” she said. Riekenberg feels the likes of

Copenhagen International House could do far more to help international students find a sports club – “especially at the international universities because that’s where many internationals are, and they often struggle to find the information”. Norwegian student Viktoria Isabell Jensen, who is also taking a master’s at CBS, concurs it has been hard to find out about the different options and to obtain the correct information. “When you’re not from here, you don’t know about the different organisations and clubs, and it’s hard to find information about the different clubs once you look them up,” she said. Norway makes it easier for foreigners, she contends. “I might be a bit biased, but the information is more visible and clearly communicated,” she said. “Especially in the student environment, I believe there are a lot more options, and it’s accordingly more popular to be part of a student sports club in Norway.” Overcoming language barriers BOTH RIEKENBERG and Jensen are happy members of Inter’nastics. “An hour and a half passes by so fast, and I’m constantly smiling: it’s such a great mix of internationals and local people,” enthused Riekenberg. “The Danes in our team really try to talk in English all the time, also with each other, even if it’s not something about us. It’s really nice that they include us.”

ALL PHOTOS: HJALTE GREGERSEN

Inter’nastics is proving to be a beacon for foreign gymnasts unable to converse in Danish

Outstanding form from co-founder Sebastian Holmskov!

they all tried in English. I can understand Danish, but English is more comfortable,” she said. “I feel like joining a sports club is the best way to meet local people because you share the same interest.” Even Jensen, a Norwegian, struggles with the lingo! “The language is definitely a barrier! And this in turn makes it hard to be ‘part of the group’,” she said. “Even though I’m Norwegian and understand the language pretty well, it’s always a problem for other Danish people to understand me.” Making an effort FOR STUDENT Elise Lauritsen, a Danish member, it has been a good

Ivana Kaufman

Ivana Kaufman, a Czech business intelligence student at AU, also appreciates the effort of the Danish members. “When we went to grab a beer,

opportunity to meet international people and practise her English. “This is in fact the only place where I can actually get to know internationals. I love meeting new people and the other members are so nice,” she said. “I talk to my other Danish team-mates in Danish because I’m not so good at English, but I’m really trying because I don’t want other people to feel misunderstood or excluded. Every time before the session, I promise to myself: ‘Today! I’m only going to speak English!’ I’m still working on it.” To find out more about Inter’nastics, apply to join its private Facebook group or look them up at odk.dk or DGI-Byen in person!

16 LOCAL HISTORY THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

11- 24 June 2021

Brown hygge: Recalling how even in 1978, Denmark was behind the curve

STEPHEN GADD

EEN FROM a distance of 40 or more years, the Denmark in which I landed in the summer of 1978 seems a very different place from the Denmark of today. As my daughter perceptively pointed out whilst chuckling over some photos of the youthful me, everything seemed brown. People had hessian wallpaper and coconut matting on the floors. The local bars all had brown wood panelling, usually seen through dense clouds of tobacco smoke. I arrived here as a callow youth of 21 in search of adventure and following love. A year or so before I’d met a Danish girl working in England during her summer vacation and we’d kept in touch. I initially moved in with her and her parents in the leafy suburb of Sorgenfri and all seemed set fair – at least to start with. Brown hygge culture shock ON THE streets I noticed most people were white and still had long hair. There was an abundance of washed denim and even the odd pair of flared trousers. All in all, it felt a bit like stepping back in time. Back then I had a pretty radical short haircut and sported a brown suit jacket from an Oxfam shop á la Elvis Costello, with badges up the lapels. As an EU citizen I was entitled to remain in Denmark for up to three months as a tourist, but after that I’d need a residence permit and identity number (CPR number). In those days, this was obtainable from the immigration police. However, in order to get a residence permit you had to have a job lined

up. In a catch-22-like twist, in order to get a job you needed a residence permit. Together with my girlfriend, who came along to provide much-needed moral support and possible interpreting services, we rolled up at the local labour exchange. The bored-looking middle-aged man behind the counter didn’t seem overly impressed with my resume, and I must admit that I couldn’t blame him. My experience of ‘real’ work was minimal: I’d had paper rounds, delivered groceries and worked Saturdays in a shoe shop. In order to build up a ‘war chest’ for my Danish trip, I’d been temping during my summer holidays for the Manpower agency. My jobs included working in a petrol station on the other side of the fence from one of the main runways at Heathrow (great view of Concorde taking off!), and as a warehouse employee for an industrial air filters firm. Gråbrødretorv grudgingly AFTER casting a glance at this, the man asked me whether I spoke Danish. When I answered in the negative, he basically told me the best thing I could do was to go back to England, as I’d never be able to get a job in Denmark. I was somewhat crestfallen, but my girlfriend pointed out that according to the law he was obliged to offer me something. Grudgingly, I was given a choice between a dishwashing job in a restaurant or a cleaning job. I chose the former and was sent along to Bøf & Øst, a restaurant on Gråbrødretorv that is still there today, for an interview. They were not exactly ecstatic to see me either. Once again all my girlfriend’s powers of persuasion were needed to get them to take me on. Luckily she succeeded and I was able to start more or less straightaway, working a shift from lunchtime to around 11:30 at night.

In need of bannisters IT WAS pretty lonely to start with as my co-workers were Turks and Yugoslavs – the ‘guest workers’ of the day – and they didn’t speak English, only their own languages and Danish. The work was quite hard and the restaurant shared its dishwashing facilities with the restaurant next door. As it was an old building, there were some pretty narrow, winding staircases to negotiate whilst carrying heavy trays of glasses or plates from one place to another. Another problem was that I was still living in the suburbs and the last S train from Nørreport left at about midnight. We often worked late, and many’s the time I had to do a four-minute mile to reach the station in time. Stinky grease punkie ADDED to that, my hair and clothes always smelt strongly of frying fat. I also noticed that the detergent from the dishwashing process softened the rubber soles of my shoes, so there was a real danger of them literally sticking to the carpet when entering a house. On the other hand I was earning money and was able to get the coveted residence permit. I also managed to strike up a conversation with some of the waitresses. They seemed pretty stand-offish at first, but later one of them explained the turnover amongst the dishwashing contingent was so high it hardly paid for the girls to remember their names. After about six weeks I felt like a veteran. I’d also decided I’d really like something else! As luck would have it, my girlfriend had a clerical job for a company making chemicals and fertilisers. She was about to return to her studies and managed to get them to take me on for half a day. This was the pre-computer era and the work consisted largely of alphabetising and filing letters and coloured copies of letters. To supplement this I had a cleaning job in a nearby school which was not too arduous, so it definitely felt like a step-up.

PRIVATE PHOTOS

Everything had a mahogany hue: from the wallpaper and floor matting to the wooden panelling in the bars. But fortunately the intrepid hero of this tale had a brown jacket á la Elvis Costello, adorned with badges up the lapels

Well, hello Stephen!

Upping anchor JUST BEFORE landing these jobs, I’d applied for a post in an international shipping organisation based in Østerbro. They wanted a native English speaker to work in their basement print shop and to help out in the membership department. I’d gone to an interview, but had heard nothing. In retrospect it may not have helped that I’d turned up in my jacket with the badges. On the other hand, I felt the interview had gone well. I’d been told it wasn’t a problem that I’d no experience of printing – I could learn on the job. But as a parting shot the interviewer asked me whether I was opposed to capitalism, and that was rather a humdinger! I

waffled my way out with some trite phrases about good and bad points with all economic systems and thought I’d got away with it. (Mind you, if anyone asked me that question today, I’d have to admit that I’m much more ambivalent now than I was then!) To cut a long story short I was later offered the job (the other applicants were even worse!) and stayed there 36 years. I ended up as editor of the organisation’s membership magazine and paper publications, having learnt how to deal with journalists and printers and lay out a magazine electronically. I’m also still happily married to the girl who lured me over here in the first place. A pretty good result really, although I say so myself!

EVENTS

11- 24 June 2021

Euro 2020 Football Village

Gay Pop-Up #7

Tuesday Night Sleeping Club

Lipsyyync 101: Rubyyy Jones

Reskilling Revolution

June 11, 21:00; Ofelia Plads; free adm EXPERIENCE the official EURO 2020 Football Village until Sunday July 11. The village offers daily activities for all ages for 31 days with everything from yoga, cultural events, concerts and football matches on the big screen. And there is another zone at DGI-Byen in Vesterbro. Check out the full program at: copenhageneuro2020. dk/events and in the official UEFA Euro 2020 App. (NJB)

June 11, 17:00-23:00; Klovnens Bodega, Rantzausgade 70, Cph N; 75kr KLOVNENS Bodega has a long playlist and endless amounts of gold, glitter and garlands. The fun drag queen Diana Diamond will help to sprinkle a little extra glitter from 19:00. Limited capacity due to COVID-19 restrictions. (NJB)

June 8-22; online by Metropolis; free adm TUESDAY Night Sleeping Club is a night and action radio that connects the sleeping city and lets us experience how we are already part of a large sleeping community. Join in exploring the community as we consciously step into the unknown and surrender to the intuitive space of night and dream together. Join the series of evening rituals and actions that prepare us to go through the keyhole and into the cleft state between dream and reality. (NJB)

June 16-19, 22:00; online at Warehouse9; 100kr PERFORMANCE powerhouse and micro theatre innovator Rubyyy Jones returns to Warehouse9 online with a digital deep dive into lipsync and giving lip service! This will be a fun and fresh experience that requires no previous performance experience, but does require the willingness to learn, try and push! (NJB)

June 17, 11-14:00; online at DS4AIR; free THE RESKILLING Revolution in the Artificial Intelligence Era Conference will be of interest to education professionals, AI/technology experts, business owners and their employees and those involved in professional training. You will learn about how the job market is changing in the era of AI and how it can improve your business. (NJB)

Veras Market June 13, 10:00-15:00; Bispeengbuen; free adm JOIN VERA'S #veravolution in the fight to combat clothing waste every Sunday under Buen. Shop every Sunday for the benefit of the environment from private stands and from Vera's own stand, where there is always a five piece for 100kr offer. There are also five free exchanges, so bring your unwanted clothes along! If you have a bundle, get your own stand. Just ask Vera. (NJB)

The Room June 11, 19:30-21:30; Husets Biograf, Rådhusstræde 13, Cph K; 70kr WHAT BETTER way to spend your Friday night than watching ‘The Room’ - “the worst movie ever made”. Starring Tommy Wiseau, Greg Sestero and framed pictures of spoons, ‘The Room’ made an inauspicious debut on a single cinema screen in Los Angeles. Described by one reviewer as “like getting stabbed in the head”, the film gradually developed a passionate following. (NJB)

Game night June 16, 20-21:30; Steel House, Herholdtsgade 6, Cph V; free adm JOIN FOR a night filled with games provided by Jack-box Games. Play games all night and get a chance to win a free drink at the bar. Remember to bring your mask and your corona pass with you. (NJB)

Inconspicuous Imaginarium June 17, 19:30-21:30; Urban House, Colbjørnsensgade 11, Cph V; 25kr FOR A LIMITED time this summer enjoy spontaneous comedy at Imagnarium. Each evening is a one night only experience that is never to be repeated again. Spontaneous comedy has no script, but you’d never know unless we told you so! (NJB)

Drive-By Truckers June 10-11, 21:00; Amager Bio, Øresundsvej 6, Cph S; 260kr DRIVE-BY Truckers have roots in The Shoals, Alabama, and that can be clearly heard in their Southern rocking expression. However, they have just as much Lynyrd Skynyrd in their genes as they have the Rolling Stones, The Band, Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen. (NJB)

Science and Cocktails June 26, 19:15, DR Koncerthuset, Ørestads Boulevard 13, Cph S; from 80kr AFTER more than one year of suspense, Science & Cocktails returns with an out-of-this world program of scientific talks, music performances and cocktail craftsmanship. All the way from Planet X31, scientists, artists and mixologists will land on the auditorium of DR Koncerthuset. (NJB)

Cecilia Bartoli June 14, 20:00; DR Koncerthuset, Ørestads Boulevard 13, Cph S; from 875kr OPERA diva Cecilia Bartoli is unique musically. With her expressive facial expressions, masterful vocals and always exciting repertoire, the Italian mezzo-soprano has achieved worldwide success in her more than 30-year career. The versatile singer offers all the best from the world of opera at once: emotions, drama and not least an impressive vocal splendour. (NJB)

Critical Edges Seminar June 15, 16-18:00; online by Critical Edges; free adm ARE YOU looking to understand what neoliberalism means and how it affects education and student life? Join fellow students from different countries for stimulating conversation. (NJB)

Thomine & ART Fellow exibit June 11, 16:30-19:00; Pop Up CPH, Teglgårdstræde 7; free adm LOUISE Thomine, a local artist, is exhibiting her pieces. The first 25 guests will receive a free print. The exhibition will be a grand finale to a busy winter, during which Louise has been working on her art. Her art is feminine and simple, employing organic shapes and feminine figures in soft colours. (NJB)

Panna House performance June 13, 12:30-14:30; Ofelia Plads; free adm COME AND see the talented players from CPH Panna House conjure up cool tricks with the football. Of course, you also have the opportunity to try your hand at the Panna game. (NJB)

Kimchi workshop June 18, 16:00; online at Copenhagen Kimchi Festival; free adm, pre booking required LEARN how to make your own Korean gourmet kimchi from scratch with Copenhagen Kimchi Festival's food experts! The workshop takes place live via Zoom. Approximately ten days before the workshop, a list of ingredients and instructions is sent out. Participation is free, but registration is necessary via info@ cphkimchifestival.dk. (NJB)

Mediated Intimacy: Kris Grey June 9-11, 21:00; online by Warehouse9; 100kr MEDIATED Intimacy is a workshop for reflecting on the past year of digital connectivity and an opportunity to collaborate on an original video piece. The COVID-19 pandemic has radically altered the ways we create and experience intimacy. This workshop is an opportunity to reflect on the past year of physical isolation and digital connectivity. (NJB)

danish on a sunday english subtitles Watch masterpieces by ’Another Round’ director Thomas Vinterberg on the big screen with English subtitles! In June we present ’The Commune’ and ’Dear Wendy’ by the Danish Oscar winning director. See what’s on at cinemateket.dk or visit us in Gothersgade 55.

18 ON SCREENS

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

11- 24 June 2021

Following in the footsteps of Björn Ironside, Big Tone ... and The Bible? BEN HAMILTON

HERE’S something really arrogant about releasing your first season in two halves – like you’re presuming it’s going to be a hit. Yeah, a bit like the Old and New Testament, but then again, God is omniscient, regardless of what faith we’re talking about, so he knew it was ‘opiate of the masses’ in advance. Releasing your first season in two halves like ‘The Bible’ is sending out the message that the first half is ‘The Bomb’ and that the viewers will be chomping at the bit to see the second. Secondly, it’s like you know the entire series is the best thing since Mr Slice went medieval on King Alfred’s rolls, but there’s been an issue (corona most likely – which did its best to completely kill Your Honor mid-season) and it would be inhumane to not let the world see this series just in case Armageddon (not released in two halves … we rest our case) takes place. Thirdly, it’s offering comparisons with The Sopranos, arguably the greatest TV series ever made, which humbly waited for its final year to offer a season in two halves – a trick repeated by Vikings a few times … with little effect, it has to be said, other than to damage what was looking like a promising legacy after three seasons. And finally, it is really annoying. We leave the season mid-arc with nothing properly resolved, and it’s a real insult to viewers who tune in every week and give the shows the respect they deserve, instead of binging on them like they’re fast food (the only way to watch Lost, for example). Generational differences? HOWEVER, saying all that, we do have to concede that the two 2021 shows following that format, French sleight-of-hand drama caper Lupin (S1B; June 11 on Netflix; 82 on Metacritic) and US teenage angst drama

Genera+ion (S1B; June 17 on HBO Nordic; 60), have been bigger bombs than most this year. Resuming just months after they left off, the former had the courtesy to end on quite a big cliffhanger, while the latter did at least have a half-season arc revolving around a ‘how the hell is she pregnant’ storyline that had more to do with the complete lack of a bulge than the identity of the father. Driven by compellingly charismatic central performances from Omar Sy and Justice Smith respectively, it is Genera+ion that ultimately has more promise long-term. True, it hasn’t wowed the critics, but perhaps they’re uncomfortable with the gender-fluid, often cringeworthy nature of a narrative that leaves no potential hook-up, or orifice, unturned and left upside down. Oh, and Lena Dunham (creator of Girls) directed the first episode, and she’s annoyingly … knowing, right. As something of a first in an industry in which men and women are increasingly collaborating on scripts, it’s co-written by Daniel Barnz (director of Cake) and his 18-year-old daughter Zelda (even the Zs in their name are annoying, right), and her input is evident in the authenticity of the dialogue. Make no mistake, this is a thousand times more realistic than the risible UK show Sex Education – and much funnier too if you can overlook the discomfort it will undoubtedly put you through. Allergic to animation TALKING of coming out in a rash, for me it’s cartoons. In fact, if I want to quickly lose somebody’s approval, I come straight out with: “I just can’t watch ‘em … dunno why.” Of course, I always add: “I’ve watched a fair number of The Simpsons and Family Guy, before my voice tails off with: “At least ten or something”.

"Hell George, I think we got these hillbilly Brits on the run now!"

An exception (and of course there are hundreds: Bambi, Watership Down, the Lord of the Rings jobby from 1978 … a cursed first half as it turns out) was Team America: World Police, a 2004 animation made by the South Park team, which I was assured by friends was hilarious, particularly as it savaged humourless Hollywood lefties like Sean Penn, Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon. Well, my first instinct when I noted America: The Motion Picture (June 30) on the Netflix schedule was it might be from the same team, but it isn’t. Retelling the story of the United States’ independence from Britain in 1776, it reflects an escalation in banter between the two countries in recent years: from John Cleese’s famous ‘Letter to America’ in 2003 to the countless sarcastic thank yous we Brits have to put up with on social media every July 4. Also on the ‘must watch list’ this month is The Father (June 10 at cinemas; 88), the film that yielded Anthony Hopkins a deserved second Best Actor Oscar … not necessarily for this, in which we’re sure he is brilliant, but for an overall career: from the butler in Remains of the Day

to Hannibal Lector, nobody does unrequited love/lunch better. Bluntly: some can, some can’t ALSO AT cinemas, it’s mostly dross or sequels or both: of Fast & Furious 9 (June 24), The Conjuring 3 and A Quiet Place 2 (both July 1), only the latter has good reviews with 71 on Metacritic, but that’s because everybody loves Emily Blunt. Still actress power can’t save Those who wish me dead (June 10; 59) with Angelina Jolie, Cruella (already released; 59) with Emma Stone and My Salinger Year (July 1; 50) with Sigourney Weaver, which all look passable at best – so yes, best to pass on them. Meanwhile, 2019 release Rocks (98), a brutally realistic account of life among young women in Britain, can surely be found online; almost equally as old Hunter Hunter (June 17; 61) is an unsung thriller in which the villain is a wolf; and not much is known about Queenpins (July 1) despite a showy cast that includes Kirsten Bell and Vincent Vaughn. Over on TV land, returning series include Working Moms (S5; June 15), Feel Good (S2; June 4), Summertime (S2; June

17) and The Gift (S3; June 3) on Netflix; Eagleheart (S2 & 3; June 4 & 11), Betty (S2; June 12), Dave (S2; June 17), The Good Fight (S4; June 25) and Bosch (S7; June 26) on HBO Nordic; The Girlfriend Experience (S3; June 15), A Million Little Things (S3; July 5) and Intelligence (S2; July 9) on CMore; and Home before Dark (S2; June 11) on Apple. Already released post-apocalypse drama Sweet Tooth (78; Netflix) has good reviews, but the same can’t be said of Stephen King miniseries Lisey’s Story (47; Apple) despite the presence of Julianne Moore and Clive Owen. British thriller miniseries The Beast Must Die (June 10; CMore) with Jared Harris looks promising as does aerobics empowerment dramedy Physical with Rose Byrne (June 18; Apple), but if we’re going to put all our chips on one TV show, it has to be the lovingly created documentary tribute to Charles M Schulz, Who are you, Charlie Brown? (Apple; June 25) – despite the aforementioned aversion to animation. In fact, June could very well end with the line “How do you like those Apples”.

ENGLISH JOB DENMARK Recruitment Announcements Part of The Welcome Group GRAPHIC DESIGNER, GN HEARING

Are you a talented graphic designer with both digital and analogue skills? And do you thrive with the combination of creative and administrative tasks? Location: Ballerup Deadline: 25 June 2021 Contact: Jesper Gorm Nielsen, Regional Director, +45 40 31 49 21

HOUSEKEEPERS FOR DAY CLEANING, SCANDIC

If you can take responsibility, have an eye for detail and take pride in making our hotel shine, we believe you could be one our new day cleaning housekeepers at Scandic CPH Strandpark. Location: Kastrup Deadline: ASAP Contact: Monika Belina, Housekeeping Manager, +45 20 95 47 87

LOGISTICS CO-WORKER FOR NIGHT AND MORNING SHIFTS, IKEA

Do you love to get up before everybody else and use your physicality in your work? If so, you are a good match as a logistics coworker in our warehouse. Location: Taastrup Deadline: Start date 15 July 2021 Contact: Maria Asongwe, Logistics Team Leader, maria.asongwe@ingka.ikea.com

To advertise your vacancy here and reach 60,000+ readers weekly, contact: info@englishjobdenmark.dk or call 60 70 22 98. For more information about what we can offer: https://englishjobdenmark.dk/

ENGLISH JOB DENMARK

EVENT & BRAND ACTIVATION MANAGER, EPOS

When you coordinate a fair, all participants have their required material in place, know when and where to be and what to do – while they are guided smoothly through the preparation by you. You are a “go-getter” and excel in communication & coordination. Location:

Ballerup

Deadline:

ASAP

Contact:

Brynhild Vinskei, Head of Global Marketing, +45 29 66 64 20

STUDENT ASSISTANT WITHIN TECHNOLOGY, SPECSAVERS

The position is ideal for a business or a technology student with an interest in technology reporting and agile ways of working. It will be a unique opportunity to work with dynamic regional and national teams and insights. Location:

Hvidovre

Deadline:

ASAP

Contact:

Claire Ferguson, Head of Service Assurance, +44 7732 083 103

WIND TURBINE LOAD SIMULATION/CALCULATION ENGINEER, SEWPG EUROPEAN INNOVATION CENTER APS

Your role is to prepare and be responsible for researching and developing new turbines load simulation techniques as well as analyzing and evaluating aeroelastic simulations of the wind turbine. Location:

Aarhus

Deadline:

ASAP

Contact:

Islam Elbahnasy, Group Leader Load Simulation, +45 31 54 05 57

PERSONAL ASSISTANT (PA), CARLSBERG GROUP

This is the perfect role for someone who loves organising a perfect calendar, has strong administrative skills, and enjoys joggling several ongoing tasks at once while maintaining a crystal-clear overview. Location: Copenhagen Deadline: 25 June 2021 Contact: Nadia Raun, Executive Assistant to CFO, Nadia.raun@carlsberg.com

PHOTO COORDINATOR, FLYING TIGER

Do you see yourself working within the marketing field? Do you have sense of esthetic and technical flair? And passion for photography? Then, you might be our new Photo Coordinator. Location: Copenhagen Deadline: ASAP Contact: Thomas Riis, Director of Events and Special Projects

PROJECT ENGINEER ATS, DINEX A/S

You will take part in the development of after-treatment system (ATS) products for our current and future customer project portfolio. Location: Middelfart Deadline: ASAP Contact: Jim Elkjær Bebe, +45 63 41 25 20

SALES STYLIST (PART TIME), LEVI STRAUSS & CO

As an in-store Sales Stylist we want you to bring our values to life through delivering exceptional customer service. Location: Ringsted Outlet Center Deadline: ASAP Contact: Via Levi Strauss & Co Team on LinkedIn

Working together with internationals and companies to better understand the needs of one another. The Welcome Group has created this page and provides additional services, including an online community supporting employment for internationals on Facebook.

Guidance for visitors

Postpone your visit and self-isolate if you have symptoms, have tested positive or are a close contact of someone who is infected with novel coronavirus.

Do not shake hands, hug or kiss as a greeting.

Wash your hands often or use hand sanitiser - and always when you arrive and before you leave.

Cough or sneeze into your sleeve - not your hands.

Touch as few things as possible during your visit - for example table tops, door handles, etc.

Keep a safe distance to your relative, other residents, visitors, and the staff.

It is a good idea to get tested before your visit

29.01.2021

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