CPH Post 18 September - 8 October 2020

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NEWS Coronavirus cases climbing – and the capital is slowly locking down again 2, 6 & 7 SPORT

Princess Pernille arrives But can she emulate King Kev on her journey from Germany to England?

PROPS TO MY PROGENY

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Pakistan the new Somalia Another immigrant community has a high coronavirus count, but why?

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CHRISTIAN WENANDE

Roll up, roll up, for this wonderfully wacko Copenhagen tour

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HISTORY

It’s Lady Macbeth The woman who brought down the monarch who brought down an elephant …

17 was a Dane!

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AKISTANIS in Copenhagen have replaced Somalis in Aarhus as Denmark's most infected immigrant community.

They accounted for 24 percent of all coronavirus cases confirmed in the capital last week, according to the State Serum Institute.

Broken down, that is 46 percent of all cases in the western suburb municipalities of Rødovre, Hvidovre, Glostrup, Brøndby, Albertslund, Vallensbæk, Ishøj and Høje-Taastrup.

The government has responded by rolling out coronavirus leaflets in Urdu, as well as Arabic, Kurdish, Farsi, Somali and Turkish.

And city mayor Frank Jensen has told DR some kind of “festive gatherings or an event” could be responsible.

Eight times more!

DR URFAN Ahmed, a spokesperson for the community’s own coronavirus taskforce, disagrees.

He attributes the high rate to the community being proactive at getting tested more frequently, as many work in the transport and health sectors.

And furthermore, their households tend to be more crowded.

“We also know that non-western descendents with children have eight times more people in the same household compared to ethnic Danes,” he told DR. “Sometimes, three generations under one roof.”

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Madsen comes clean

Foreign Ministry turns 250

CONVICTED murderer Peter Madsen has admitted complete culpability for the death of Swedish journalist Kim Wall onboard his submarine in August 2017, according to a Discovery Networks Denmark documentary. However, the details are ambiguous. For example, Wall “hit some things”, which could mean raw nerves, vital levers or even Madsen’s cheeks.

THE FOREIGN Ministry celebrated its 250th anniversary last week. Founded during the reign of King Christian VII, it has overseen the losses of Norway and Schleswig-Holstein in 1814 and 1864, the German Occupation (1940-45) and the Mohammed Crisis (2006) – so mostly lows really. It celebrated with a debate involving the foreign minister and two of his predecessors.

Strong for innovation DENMARK is the world’s sixth most innovative country, according to the Global Innovation Index published by the World Intellectual Property Organization – a rise of one place on last year. It scored high marks in the Human Capital & Research (2), Infrastructure (4) and Market Sophistication (8) categories.

Switzerland topped the ranking.

Vegan party’s green light EARLIER this week, the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Interior confirmed that Veganerpartiet had secured the necessary 20,000 signatures to compete in the next general election. It will bear the letter ‘G’ on the ballot form. Denmark does not have a green party … unless you include the one in the series ‘Borgen’.

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LOCAL

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

You are entering the red-zone

ONLINE THIS WEEK THE TECHNICAL and environmental mayor, Nina Hedeager Olsen, who recently said she would not run for re-election in 2021 in favour of living a life of activism, is backing a new law to prevent scooters being parked on the streets. Instead the companies will need to have their own pick-up and drop-off areas, and they will face fines when their scooters are misplaced.

Friendly but forlorn COPENHAGEN has the third most passenger-friendly airport in the continent, according to the 2020 European Consumer Airport Index. In related news, direct flights to China have recommenced following a six-month suspension, the airport is ramping up coronavirus testing to 5,000 a day, and 511 airport staff have been laid off as part of a downsizing.

Troll tenders THE SIX Vestegn municipalities have agreed to take on responsibility for the maintenance of the six Forgotten Giants, Thomas Dambo's wooden carvings in the suburbs of Copenhagen that have proved to be popular with locals and tourists since 2017.

The declaration follows reports that a local man repaired one.

Nørrebro the epicentre as police start issuing fines to congregations in the park LUKE ROBERTS

A

MID ESCALATING coronavirus cases, mostly among the under-20s, Copenhagen was designated a COVID-19 red-zone last week.

The city police have struggled to enforce social distancing rules, so many areas of Nørrebro were closed off to the public over the weekend.

Anyone gathering in the likes of Nørrebro Skatepark and Nørrebroparken risked being fined 2,500 kroner, although walkers and joggers were permitted to use the areas.

No Xmas lights this year TO CURB the rise in cases,

Daycare institutions the big winner

The police have struggled to enforce social distancing

Copenhagen is raising its daily testing capacity from 40,000 to 50,000 with pop-up centres.

It has also ruled that the number of Christmas decorations will be minimal this year, with Hotel d'Angleterre confirming that it is cancelling its Xmas light facade.

ensure that we improve the welfare for our children, vulnerable

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IN LATE August, five young Swedes were found guilty of a gang-related double murder in the Copenhagen suburb of Herlev in 2019 at Glostrup Court. Three adults were given life terms, and two minors were given 20 years.

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ONLINE THIS WEEK Olsen Gang sale THE AREA where Vridsløselille Prison is located in Albertslund, which is famous for its frequent appearances in the Olsen Gang films, has been acquired by PKA and A Enggaard. The pair intend to turn it into a green residential area. The 160,000 sqm site has housed the prison since 1859, and parts of it will be preserved.

Frederiksberg focus

Meanwhile, in other coronavirus news in the city, public transport usage is 25-33 percent below what is considered normal, calls are growing for the mandatory testing of bus and taxi drivers, and the popular brunch spot Toldboden has shut down.

2021 budget quickly approved T TOOK local politicians at City Hall just five days to reach an accord on the budget for Copenhagen in 2021.

Included in the deal were millions of kroner in funds earmarked for everything from daycare and schools to the elderly and socially vulnerable.

“I’m pleased and proud that such a broad spectrum of parties wanted to take responsibility and

Hefty terms for Swedes

FRED ROMERO

Blow for scooter firms

18 September - 8 October 2020

and elderly,” said Copenhagen Mayor Frank Jensen.

BUDGET: KEY SPENDING - 450 million kroner to ensure at least one adult for every three kids at nurseries and six kids at kindergartens from 2022 - 400 million to ensure a long, green coastline on the proposed artificial island Lynetteholm during its early development phase - 344 million over four years for a social investment plan to help vulnerable children and adults - 79 million for land-based charging stations where cruise ships dock - 74 million for new cycling initiatives and safer school roads

FREDERIKSBERG'S municipal council has voted in favour of a new budget with a focus on daycare provision, improving schools, pedestrianisation, and the promotion of sustainable initiatives.

Dead in the water ON AUGUST 22, the body of a 37-year-old man was found floating in Nordhavn. He had been reported missing on August 18.

Stairway to heaven?

TREE OF Heaven, an invasive tree of Asian origin, has been found growing at the foot of a staircase on Fiolstræde in the city centre.

‘Racing’ to the end AFTER 48 years, 18 million guests, and a distance of 2.5 million km travelled, Bakken closed its popular ride 'Racing' on September 13.

Bacteria in water ROSKILDE Municipality encourages drinking boiled water following the discovery of bacteria.

Centre’s comeback THE AMAGER Center shopping centre is opening its doors on September 17 following its upgrade.

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18 September - 8 October 2020

ONLINE THIS WEEK

RASMUS Paludan, the leader of the Danish far-right party Stram Kurs, has visited Malmö and Stockholm in recent weeks, provoking violent protests. At one point, it looked like he was banned from entering Sweden for two years, but Paludan has a Swedish passport.

Aid in Finance Act THE 2021 FINANCE Act has allocated 70 million kroner to promoting health in the world in the aftermath of COVID-19 – most particularly in developing nations – and 100 million kroner to the World Health Organization.

Belarus condemned THE FOREIGN minister, Jeppe Kofod, has called for EU sanctions to be aimed at the Lukashenko-led regime in Belarus in light of recent “violent attacks and arrests”.

Major shift in foreign policy New strategy from 2021 will reflect social democratic values

lenges outside Europe, but also inside. We see EU member states in which the principles of rule of law are under fire, and we must take that seriously," he told DR.

CHRISTIAN WENANDE

A

NEW FOREIGN affairs strategy will be unveiled in early 2021.

According to the foreign minister, Jeppe Kofod, it will reflect social democratic values, with a focus on democracy, human rights, the climate and equality, rather than, for instance, economic interests.

“We don’t only face chal-

Migration ambassador IN RELATED news, Anders Tang Friborg has been appointed as the newly-established Danish migration ambassador.

Among other tasks, Friborg will work towards the establishment of receiving centres outside the EU in a bid to reduce the incentive to

seek asylum in Denmark.

Elsewhere, Susanne Hyldelund, has been appointed the Danish ambassador to Germany instead of Thomas Ahrenkiel, the former head of Forsvarsministeriet.

No to Charlie

Maersk migrants helped

Data given to NSA

JYLLANDS-POSTEN rejected Charlie Hebdo's request to reprint the controversial Mohammed cartoons in solidarity with the ongoing trial of 14 people accused of helping the two men who killed 12 members of the French satirical magazine’s staff in 2015. Charlie Hebdo has republished the cartoons this month.

MEDITERRANEA, a Spanish NGO, has intervened in the case of the 27 migrants marooned aboard the Maersk Etienne for over a month, whisking them away to Sicily. For weeks, nearby Malta, which refused to take them, insisted Denmark should take them as the ship flies a Dannebrog. Tunisia was also mentioned as a possible recipient.

A REPORT indicates that as part of a secret collaboration between the Defence Intelligence Service and NSA, a significant amount of data was given to the US intelligence service. The data most likely included private personal information, such as phone calls and text messages shared by Danish citizens.

Jeppe Kofod behind major change

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Russian jet chased off FACEBOOK/JEPPE KOFOD

Paludan in Sweden

INTERNATIONAL

ON AUGUST 28, four US bombers were pursued by a Russian jet over Bornholm and deep into Danish airspace, at which point Danish jets were scrambled to escort it out.

The foreign minister, Jeppe Kofod, described the Russian violation as "completely unacceptable".

Aid in Finance Act THE 2021 FINANCE Act has allocated 70 million kroner to promoting health in the world in the aftermath of COVID-19 – most particularly in developing nations – and 100 million kroner to the World Health Organization.

Divers honoured TWO DANISH divers have been knighted in Thailand for helping to save the lives of 12 boys and their coach in the Tham Luang caves in 2018. Claus Rasmussen and Ivan Karadzic, who both work in the country, were among a team of 90.

The 'Knights of the Great Cross' is the country's highest order.

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COVER

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

18 September - 8 October 2020

Love, loss and a legendary curse: the West’s oldest influencer DAN LUNDBERG

Søren Kierkegaard’s influence on philosophy and the arts has been significant, but it is often overlooked

cursed, and who also passed on his temperament and dour Lutheranism to his youngest son, before, that is, Søren railed against organised religion.

LUKE ROBERTS

W

HEN JOE Biden repeated his oft-used quote “Faith sees best in the dark” while accepting the Democratic presidential nomination on August 20, he invoked the works of a philosopher held in high regard in his home country, but frequently overlooked abroad.

The quote, which Jill Biden allegedly has taped to the bathroom mirror, is one of Søren Kierkegaard’s. The Dane is hailed by many as the ‘father of existentialism’, but often it is his successors that steal the limelight. Despite this, influential figures the world over owe much to his insights into the trials and realities of human existence.

For Biden, a man whose life has been marked by personal tragedy and loss, it is no wonder he finds great comfort in the words of a philosopher devoted to the exploration of human suffering, the value of commitment and the glorious irrationality of faith.

At a time when US politics is gripped by animosity, ‘fake news’ and distrust, there are perhaps worse things to cling onto than the idea that suffering brings its own reward.

A child’s suffering KIERKEGAARD’S works are imbued with melancholia (Lars von Trier’s film of the same name is well named), and his personal experiences have significant relevance to his writings. Though generally an uneventful life – leaving Denmark only five times – he had a childhood marked by tragedy.

Kierkegaard firmly believed that neither he nor any of his six siblings would reach their 34th birthday (the age at which Christ was crucified) – a prophecy that unfortunately proved correct for five of them.

It was a belief inherited from his father, who believed himself

Scandi blues THE STORY of childhood trauma is repeated by some of his most famous Scandinavian successors.

World-renowned Norwegian artist Edvard Munch also suffered a childhood riddled with the tragic. His mother died of tuberculosis when he was just five years old, and his sister followed when he was 14 – victims of a disease he himself suffered from.

Emotional turmoil is ever-present in his work: most obviously in ‘The Scream’ and ‘The Dead Mother’ – paintings which share the same tormented figure.

It is clear in the case of Munch that he stands as a continuation of the exploratory work pursued

by Kierkegaard. His paintings show not only sweeping Scandinavian landscapes, but also map the internal realm, with figures transfixed in moments of psychic torment, confronting both their situation and their freedom in a ‘Kierkegaardian Moment’.

Ibsen, the famed Norwegian playwright, has a similar tale: a childhood defined by a family’s descent into destitution, with a subsequent oeuvre typified by melancholy and suffering.

Upon its release, Ibsen’s ‘Brand’ was hailed as a dramatic telling of Kierkegaardian philosophy. The title character is of a distinctly Kierkegaardian mould. More specifically, he is an ethical character according to Kierkegaard’s definition and driven by the choices he makes. He commits to a decision despite it resulting in the sacrifice of his son – a clear echo of the decision Abraham faces in Kierkegaard’s ‘Fear and Trembling’.

The knight in the castle CHILDHOOD trauma was not the only defining incident in Kierkegaard’s life, nor a prerequisite for those influenced by him. Another event that came

It's fitting that today most of his guests visit him in a church yard, the literal meaning of his surname

to permeate Kierkegaard’s works was the breaking off of his engagement to Regine Olsen.

Despite continuing to be wildly in love with his fiancee, he came to the conclusion he would never make an adequate husband and so, despite her pleas, called off the wedding. Later, the theme of a young man being ‘poeticised’ by the appearance of a young woman came to appear regularly in his works.

It is for this reason that Franz Kafka initially found in Kierkegaard a kindred spirit. He broke off his engagement to Felice Bauer, not once but twice, and this shared experience initially led Kafka to Kierkegaard.

But soon he came to see his relationship with Kierkegaard as one not of equals but as of admirer and admired. In correspondence, Kafka claimed that he had “really lost his way” in the Dane.

The melancholic tone of Kafka is drawn certainly in part from that of Kierkegaard, but also important is his regard for the philosopher’s terminology and concept of movement: the dynamic shift from resignation to faith, as well as from giving up to receiving – a concept clearly put into practice in their romantic lives.

own rejection of it), owes a great deal to his Danish forerunner.

Kierkegaard’s concept of anxiety was hugely influential in the 20th century. Sartre identified it as anxiety in the face of human freedom, contrasting it with Martin Heidegger’s own concept of anxiety in the face of nothingness. He himself used it to furnish his own concepts of anguish and human freedom.

More striking is the appearance of the phrase ‘being and nothingness’ – the title of Sartre’s magnum opus – verbatim within Kierkegaard’s work. Perhaps it would be unwise to draw strong conclusions from this in light of the various degrees of translation by which the two figures are removed, but less controversial is his inherited concept of vertigo ...

Kierkegaard, in his description of anxiety and human freedom, presents the case of a man at the top of a cliff who does not fear he will fall, but that he might instead jump. This example is lifted with only minor alterations into Sartre’s work and described as ‘vertigo’. It is a passage that has become famed for its evocative lucidity, though its original espousal rarely earns the same acclaim.

Condemned to plagiarise ACCORDING to Jean-Paul Sartre, it was “through the atmosphere of Kafka that the French got access to Kierkegaard”, and the Frenchman, to whom most are probably quickest to attach the existentialist label (despite his

Leaping the pond A STRING of modern US authors also owe a great deal to the Dane. ‘The Catcher in the Rye’, one of the most eminent novels of the last century, follows the tale of Holden Caulfield through his struggles to understand him-

self and those around him.

With a disgust of ‘phonies’ – those around him who he sees as non-committal and aimless – he embodies the Kierkegaardian themes of decisiveness, commitment and responsibility. It is a story of psychic torment and an individual’s confrontation with his own mode of being, which unfortunately played a part in a loner’s assassination of John Lennon.

More explicit in his debt to Kierkegaardian philosophy was John Updike, a prolific author and critic.

In this latter role, he reviewed a biography of Kierkegaard’s life as well as ‘The Seducer’s Diary’, part of Kierkegaard’s first published work, ‘Either/Or’.

In ‘My Father’s Tears’ he describes a process through which the protagonist is forced to confront the precise moment in which he abandons his past and his father. The character goes on to judge his father-in-law for not having made the ‘leap-of-faith’ – after all, he had read his Kierkegaard – before being embroiled in a failed marriage. Nods to the Dane are far from veiled.

In America, as in Europe, Kierkegaard has certainly left his mark. At a time when tensions are high and words seem without meaning, why wouldn’t Americans turn to some other, more abstract judgement in the run-up to another heated election? After all, if there were no higher point of reference by which to judge our earthly existence, “What would life be but despair?”

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5

Saluting Solidarity four decades after its birth in Poland

DERZSI ELEKES ANDOR

Workers' unions continue to take their Solidarity very seriously

Its creation remains one of the most important events of the late 20th century PROFESSOR TIMOTHY SNYDER

T

HE CREATION of ‘Solidarity’ was one of the most important events in the history of Poland and the world at the end of the 20th century.

It became a moment that changed the essence of the Leninist system. Before that, the communist party functioning in this system had a monopoly on power. This changed when Solidarity was founded.

It was then that a generation of activists took form, who later sat down to negotiate at the Round Table, and then played a key role in democratic Poland.

Without the August Agreements and Solidarity that was then born, the elections on 4 June 1989 would not have taken place.

Life after communism THE FACT that the existence of Solidarity was legalised on 31

August 1980 was significant for three reasons.

First, it was a signal that communism did not last forever.

Previously, this system seemed insurmountable; no-one could imagine proposing an alternative to it.

Secondly, Solidarity proved that a new, post-war Poland had been born: that not only a communist state existed, but also a society of Polish people that did not identify with it.

Thirdly, Solidarity demonstrated that there was a real civil society in Poland that really discussed its values and directions of development.

Making it possible SOLIDARITY made these discussions possible. In Poland, successive generations of opposition activists learnt from the previous ones – those who protested earlier.

Such experiences – in a situation in which co-operation counts and building relationships is essential – constitutes very valuable capital.

The strikes themselves are not only a form of protest – they also are a form of building a new movement and creating new structures. And this was the most important thing in August 1980 at the Gdańsk Shipyard.

Strikes should not be viewed only as a revolt against the communist government. It was also an example of long-term thinking and the establishment of a movement.

The role of Gorbachev THE FALL of communism is also a consequence of the policies pursued by Mikhail Gorbachev, as the Soviet leader clearly did not understand to what extent the external empire was an integral part of the entire system.

Today, Russians strongly criticise Gorbachev for the decisions he made at the end of the 1980s.

This criticism, however, is exaggerated. Yes, he did make tactical mistakes, but his concept of politics was a very bold experiment.

He introduced its essence to Erich Honecker, the communist leader of the German Democratic

Republic, to whom he said explicitly that he allowed each country of the socialist bloc to choose its own path of development.

It was a hugely important historic step. But it turned out to be a tactical mistake because there had already then been activists in Poland ready to immediately take advantage of the opportunities that emerged.

Taking an opportunity ON THE other hand, the communist authorities – in line with Gorbachev’s guidelines – had to negotiate with someone, and in Poland they had that someone.

Thus, began the process that led to the dismantling of the communist system.

Countries of Central Europe made great use of the opportunities that opened up for them after the fall of communism, but with one caveat: in the course of the transformations, the legacy of the political thought born in the 1970s and 1980s was lost.

In 1989, the simplest possible action plans were introduced, reducing politics to economic

issues. There was no reflection on the possibilities offered by the free market, as it was believed it would solve all problems.

But it does not work that way.

One must not forget about politics – even when introducing free market solutions.

Still felt today THIS ELEMENT was missing in the 1990s. Very quickly, both Poland and other countries in the region forgot about plain and simple solidarity.

The events of 1989 would not have happened without the Solidarity movement, but also without the classically understood solidarity between people.

Later it was put aside.

The lack of thinking regarding the changes of the 1990s lingers in the countries of the entire region to the present day.

The author is a British historian.

This text is also being published in the Polish monthly magazine Wszystko Co Najważniejsze (everything that is most important) this month.

6

NATIONAL

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

ONLINE THIS WEEK

18 September - 8 October 2020

Government confirms nightlife shutdown PIXABAY

Firework crackdown

ONLINE THIS WEEK

THE GOVERNMENT is preparing a bill to crack down on the dangerous use of fireworks during the festive period, which will include stiffer sentences and more police enforcement. Last year saw around 250 incidents in which fireworks were deliberately fired at people – most commonly at workers in the emergency services.

Air accident deaths TWO PASSENGERS died in a plane crash on the island of Fur in the Limfjord in late August, and two were hospitalised. In related news, a 54-year-old man died after an accident during the Danish Skydiving Championships in Herning. He hit water at high speed whilst attempting to swoop.

Queen’s pay rise QUEEN Margrethe is expected to receive a pay raise of 1.4 million kroner to take her annual state allowance up to 89.3 million.

Stealing from tractors IN AUGUST alone, GPS equipment from a total of 23 tractors, believed to be worth several million kroner, has been stolen. In related news, a record low number of burglaries was reported last summer – down 27 percent on last year and 42 percent on 2015. The police attributed the fall to people staying home due to COVID-19.

Pirated film arrests FOUR DANISH men have been charged with particularly serious copyright infringement in connection with the illegal distribution of pirated films, according to the Public Prosecutor for Special Economic and International Crime.

The arrests are part of a major international case involving the authorities from 19 countries.

Island for sale THE ISLAND of Masnedø Kalv, located just south of Zealand, has come onto the market for 10 million kroner. It includes a cottage and rich opportunities for fishing and hunting.

Library computer woes FOLLOWING a huge cyberattack last week, the municipality association Kommunernes Landsforening warned anyone who has used their NEMID on a public library computer to change their passwords. In related news, a DR investigation has found the sensitive data of seven ministers online. Six of them had used their government-issued emails to log onto social media and fitness apps.

Ghetto Law campaign

The pubs haven't shut this early since the Occupation

All venues must close by 22:00, and facemasks must be worn whilst standing

M METTE Frederiksen on Tuesday confirmed that nightlife venues must close at 22:00 in a bid to see off the escalation in coronavirus cases in Greater Copenhagen.

Additionally, facemasks will need to be worn by visitors to bars and restaurants, unless they are sitting down.

The restrictions, which will be enforced from September 17, are applicable to Copenhagen, 15 municipalities in the capital region, and Odense.

Last week, the government confirmed that the limit on public gatherings has been cut from 100 to 50, while a planned increase in Superliga attendances has been shelved.

On the battlefield THE NEW measures follow a rapid increase in infection rates, with more than a thousand new cases in the last week – the highest rate of infection since the end of April.

Copenhagen currently has 40 infections per 100,000 residents and Odense 60.7, with new cases being concentrated among younger people.

Copenhagen Mayor Frank Jensen has appealed to the Justice Ministry to ban the sale of alcohol in nightlife hotspots between 20:00 and 08:00 in a bid to stop youngsters meeting up to party.

Most universities have cancelled all their social events for at least two weeks.

And the Nordic Council of Ministers have emphasised the need for continued and increased co-operation among the countries in battling the coronavirus pandemic.

Mixed signals?

NEVERTHELESS, a study conducted by ferry company Stena Line has revealed that a significant number of Europeans are planning to take holidays despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

And crossing the Danish borders has never been easier, as the Danish authorities have relaxed the controls, which will now consist of periodic random stops in regulation with the intensity of the passing traffic.

The police expect the new controls will foster smoother flow of traffic and consequently shorter waiting times for travellers looking to enter Denmark.

In other travel news, DSB, Arriva and Metroselskabet can all expect full financial compensation for the losses sustained due to the pandemic.

In fear of cyberattacks

Denmark’s Stonehenge

Firm on circumcision

DANES regard cyberattacks as the biggest threat to their country, according to a Pew Research Center survey of people in 14 countries.

Some 66 percent say they are concerned, ahead of climate change (60), terrorism (51), the ailing global economy (40), poverty (38) and the spread of nuclear weapons (35).

Climate change was considered the biggest threat in 11 countries.

MOESGAARD Museum is currently sprucing up Høj Stene, an enormous stone monument deep in the forests of central Jutland, in the hope it will attract tourists. The grave site is believed to be around 1,400 years old. The placing of each stone would have then required the effort of 240 men. The monument will officially be reopened on October 8.

PM METTE Frederiksen has ruled out banning the ritual circumcision of boys in respect of Denmark’s long relationship with the Jewish community. After WWII, she explained, it was important to be fully inclusive of the community, and that a ban would break that promise.

Around 1,000-2,000 boys are circumcised in Denmark every year.

CHRISTIAN WENANDE

P

THE CENTER for Danish-Muslim Relations (CEDAR) has launched a nationwide campaign against the 'Ghetto Law', which it contends is "discriminatory" towards non-western people in Denmark, as it asserts that if they account for over half a neighbourhood, the area is pretty much a ghetto. The assertion, together with two other criteria, determine whether an area is on the list.

Railway safety campaign THE MINISTRY of Transport is running a campaign to promote safety on the railways. On average, somebody comes close to losing their life three times a week. In the last ten years, 27 people have been killed at railway crossings in Denmark.

Alcohol age resolve PRESSURE is growing on the government to raise the age at which young people can buy drinks with an alcohol content of below 16.5 percent from 16 to 18. Some MPs have suggested parents should be enforcing such bans.

Consent confirmed A NEW RAPE law, which requires all participants in sexual intercourse to give their consent, has been passed. The law is thereby shifting the focus from 'No' to 'Yes', which can include “kisses, touches, pleasing sounds and relevant movements”, although kissing hours before sex does not count.

SCIENCE

18 September - 8 October 2020

ONLINE THIS WEEK

A REPORT by Elbilskommissionen, the electric car commission, reveals the cost of running a petrol or diesel-run vehicle will get more expensive as the number of electric cars rises. Conversely, perhaps, it also reports it will only reduce CO2 emissions to a relatively small extent. The Klimarådet climate council has raised its target of the number of electric cars needed to cut greenhouse emissions by 70 percent from 1 to 1.5 million.

Schedule for victory TWO PHD students from DTU and their supervisor claimed victory at this year's International Timetabling Competition. The competition revolves around creating an algorithm to resolve a scheduling problem and takes place over many rounds and challenges.

Satellites shedding light A NEW STUDY from Danmarks Tekniske Universitet suggests that satellite measurements can be used to predict floods and droughts. As threats of such climatic events increase, such methods and results are in greater demand than ever before.

Novo’s dream team FOLLOWING a 25 million kroner grant from the Novo Nordisk Foundation, four researchers sought out from the corners of the globe have set up labs in Copenhagen and Aarhus.

The researchers specialise in biomedicine and biotechnology.

Secrets of skin IT IS HOPED that genetically engineered human skin, developed by researchers at the University of Copenhagen, will provide new insights into the treatment of diseases such as psoriasis and cancer.

There is very little understanding of the way human skin is formed.

Using AI to beat time THE EUROPEAN Research Council has been given an 11 million kroner grant to support the introduction of AI into the electricity sector.

ONLINE THIS WEEK PIKIST.COM

Electric car concerns

Testing times for nation amid upsurge From Smittestop failing to work to the delay in the AstraZeneca vaccine trials, there is no quick fix to the pandemic in the near future, it seems KAUKAB TAHIR SHAIRANI

T

HE DANISH coronavirus app Smittestop could be misinforming users, as its definition of ‘close contact’ is different to that of Google and Apple.

While the smartphone’s operating systems could send a notification – such as: ‘Your device has identified four potential exposures this week and shared them with Smittestop’ – the app itself might not be informing the user if contact is not judged to be close enough or long enough.

The Danish authorities define close contact with an infected person when a user has been less than a metre from someone who registers as infected on Smittestop for more than 15 minutes.

Over a million people in Denmark have so far downloaded the app, and @ users have reported an infection.

On the racoon range FROM FEBRUARY this year it has been legal to hunt raccoon dogs with night vision sights, and one hunter, Jytte Paarup, has told DR that she has more than doubled the number of her night kills this year to 21. Raccoon dogs are an invasive species and have no natural predators.

Foreign food to blame

This year's most sought-after goodie bag

Vaccine delays DENMARK, like most of the EU countries, had been pinning its hopes on the vaccine being developed by the British-Swedish company AstraZeneca, but

their trials were put on hold in early September after a participant fell ill.

Danish medical experts concurred that the news offered a bitter-sweet reminder that humanity's hopes in a vaccine may be overstated, and that we should be looking to improve treatment if we are to properly overcome the pandemic.

The World Health Organization reports that elsewhere there are a further five vaccines undergoing late-stage trials – three in China and one each in the US and Germany – while a Russian one has skipped the late-stage trials.

Denmark itself reached an important stage in developing its own vaccine when researchers from the University of Copenhagen reported the success of its mice trials in June. Clinical trials on humans are expected before the end of the year.

Vaccine gets all clear

No link to diabetes

Dual climate test house

THERE is no link between the HPV vaccine and a range of neurological disorders, according to a Statens Serum Institut study of 1.4 million women and girls. Negative stories about the vaccine, which helps to protect women with HPV from getting cancer, resulted in a 50.4 percent fall in vaccinations between 2013 and 2016, but its usage is picking up again.

DESPITE the previous belief that type-2 diabetes doubled a patient's likelihood of developing blood clots in the heart, recent research from Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital shows this is not the case. Instead, there is no change in the clot rate between diabetics and non-diabetics. Researchers attribute the finding to improved drugs.

A NEW TEST house has been developed in Nuuk by DTU with the intention of discovering whether it is possible and appealing to build houses with an indoor and outdoor climate under the same roof. The team have created two separate environments within the same building and will spend the next two years testing it.

Hotspot testing NEVERTHELESS, despite the apparent failings of the app, hundreds of thousands are getting tested – most notably in Greater Copenhagen, where the infection rate has been the highest in Denmark of late.

Pop-up tents and extra testing vehicles have been arriving in the Capital Region from other

7

regions, while two new test centres have been set up in the city districts of Valby and Nørrebro.

Frederikshavn Municipality in northeast Jutland, another recent coronavirus hotspot, has also been the beneficiary of additional testing facilities.

Leading the way with the testing is DTU, which is currently carrying out 10,000 tests a day – a third of the nation’s needs – following the addition of a new night team.

Children over the age of two are eligible for testing at all centres and can be booked in for a time-slot online. The under-twos, on the other hand, can be tested at TestCenter facilities.

A TOTAL of 48 people in Denmark have become sick as a result of imported foods, suspects the Statens Serum Institut. It believes separate outbreaks of salmonella and hepatitis A virus are the result of holiday-makers returning with food carrying the diseases.

New development unit AARHUS University has teamed up with a number of local organisations and businesses to establish a new innovation unit promoting entrepreneurship and collaboration in the region. In particular, the unit aims to further develop food along with health and environmental technologies.

Chronically misunderstood THE HEALTH authorities have launched an information campaign to raise awareness of the plight of the 1.3 million people who suffer from some kind of chronic pain. Many regard such sufferers as malingers and tend to be sceptical when back pain, for example, comes and goes.

Four TBE cases FOUR PEOPLE in Denmark have been infected with Tick Borne Encephalitis over the summer, according to Statens Serum Institut, but none of them were in Bornholm, the favoured hunting ground of the parasite. Three were infected in Tisvilde Hegn in North Zealand and one in Falster.

All four were hospitalised.

Huge solar park project DANISH company European Energy is set to begin the construction of Sweden's largest solar park.

8

CULTURE

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

ONLINE THIS WEEK

FACEBOOK/ COPENHAGEN CONTEMPORARY

Montmartre could be saved

White House junk mail as art

THE CULTURE minister, Joy Mogensen, is working with Copenhagen Municipality to try and save the legendary jazz club Montmartre, which is close to bankruptcy. Not long ago the Danish Arts Foundation decided against designating the club a ‘regional venue’, which would have given it 1 million kroner annually.

Danish #MeToo finally?

FORMER Dansk Folkeparti leader Pia Kjærsgaard told 'Debatten' host Sofie Linde she had made herself a victim by recently revealing how a big name in TV told her to give him a blowjob when she was 18, or otherwise he’d torpedo her career. Many think this could be the start of the Danish #MeToo movement.

Hidden treasures THE NATIONAL Museum’s new exhibition 'A Treasure to Denmark' shines a light on less celebrated elements of Danish culture. Among the 89 exhibits are a collection of sex toys and a letter informing somebody they are HIV positive.

ONLINE THIS WEEK Eyes on the prize NOT CONTENT with two Oscars, Kim Magnusson is teaming up with Den Vestdanske Filmpulje in Aarhus to make more short films aimed at winning major awards. Together they will produce four a year.

Guide for emerging hood

With my Avengers bros FORMER gang member Roland Møller has landed a major role in 'Citadel', a new Amazon series made by ‘Avengers’ directors Anthony and Joe Russo. In related news, Ridley Scott has hailed Danish actress Amanda Collin for her work in his new sci-fi TV series 'Raised by Wolves'.

18 September - 8 October 2020

"More poetry is needed" sounds like a heckle in this context

Politician Uffe Elbæk has been keeping all his unwelcome missives from the Trup Administration for over three years

temporary has collated them in a new exhibition (running until Nov 3), which explores US politics through an inbox's lens.

and rhetoric in the Trumpean age.

OR THREE years, independent MP Uffe Elbæk, the former leader of Alternativet, has kept a record of the torrent of emails he has received from the Trump administration.

Now numbering over a thousand, Copenhagen Con-

Harassment as art DURING this time, the emails Elbe received included fake news updates, takedowns of political opponents, and the odd dinner invitation – often up to three every day.

This unsolicited barrage has steadily increased in recent months, and it offers a fascinating insight into communication

Hillary’s been there THIS IS not the first time senior US politicians have found their emails promoted to works of art.

Last year, Hillary Clinton was pictured leafing through some of the 62,000 of her emails printed off by artist Kenneth Goldsmith, which were displayed at an art show in Venice. The infamous emails were a constant point of contention during the 2016 election campaign.

Short of the truth

Dane working with BTS

Gamely fighting on

THE NEW film 'Shorta' includes a scene in which a young Arabic man is strangled to death by a Danish policeman in a similar fashion to the way George Floyd was killed in May. Directors Anders Ølholm and Frederik Louis Hviid say the similarities are coincidental as they started planning the film six years ago.

DANISH choreographer Nicky Andersen worked on the dance routines of K-pop band BTS for the video of their new song 'Dynamite', which recently broke their own YouTube one-day world record with 101.1 million views.

Last September, Andersen moved to Hollywood to pursue his dreams of working in the K-pop industry.

THREE English-language productions – CTC’s The Effect (Oct 1-10), That Theatre’s ‘Extremophiles (Oct 21-Nov 21) and Playmate Theatre Malmö’s ‘Sylvia’ (Oct 22-25) – have told CPH POST how they are gamely continuing with their plans despite the recent tightening of coronavirus restrictions.

LUKE ROBERTS

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THE DEVELOPING city area of Ørestad in the Copenhagen district of Amager has a new guide to keep visitors posted on the numerous events in the area. It is available on the By & Havn website.

Nature boom NATURSTYRELSEN digital guides have been used by twice as many people compared to this time last year. More than 200,000 people used the online services in July and August – a period in which millions of kroner were dedicated to promoting Danish summer holidays.

New kinds of culture WHILE the coronavirus has killed off many events, others are popping up to replace them, including Open (Sep 11-13), a festival that celebrated the cultural diversity of Østerbro and Nordhavn. Also bucking the trend, Stairway, a new culture and music venue, has opened in Vanløse.

Improv as therapy?

THE RECENTLY-launched Copenhagen Theatre School has told CPH POST that its family Improv courses "aren't therapy", but they can “have a therapeutic effect”.

SPORT

18 September - 8 October 2020

ONLINE THIS WEEK

DENMARK lost 0-2 to Belgium and drew 0-0 with England in their opening Nations League games – both of which were at Parken.

Next up are Iceland away on October 11. Brentford’s Christian Nørgaard was man-of-the-match against England in a game Denmark deserved to win. Both sides took the knee before kick-off.

In action this week THREE Danish teams continue with their European campaigns this week: FCM in the Champions League third qualification round against Swiss champions Young Boys, and FC Copenhagen and AGF in the Europa League second qualifying round – against IFK Gothenburg and Slovenian outfit Mura respectively.

Second in stage REIGNING UCI Road World champ Mads Pedersen finished second on the opening stage of the Tour de France, but no Danes are in contention this year. Meanwhile, cycling prospect Frederik Wandahl, 19, will ride for the German World Tour team BORA-hansgrohe next season after signing a three-year deal.

Blitzing Cousins DANISH drag racing outfit True Cousins smashed the world record for the 1/4-mile for electric vehicles at the 'NOT The Euro Finals' in the UK over the weekend. Reaching a speed of 314 km/h, it clocked 6.86 seconds.

ONLINE THIS WEEK TWITTER/CHELSEA FC

One point from two

Is Pernille the new Kevin Keegan?

Danish striker’s move to Chelsea smashes world transfer record BEN HAMILTON

9

I

N MANY ways, Pernille Harder’s move from Wolfsburg to Chelsea could be compared to Kevin Keegan’s journey from Germany to England 40 years ago.

Both had just lost European finals: for Harder, her second defeat in three years to Lyon in the Champions League final, while Keegan was on the losing side for Hamburg against Nottingham Forest.

Both moves were arranged before the finals and both players, as European Footballer of the Year winners, had exceptional pedigree, as well as striking haircuts.

But hopefully for Harder, the London club will provide more of a chance of avenging her European heartbreak than Southampton offered Keegan, as the best the Saints could finish

Record fee CHELSEA opted to pay a transfer fee for Harder rather than waiting for her contract to expire in 2021. If confirmed, the 2.1 million kroner they paid is a new record for the women's game.

Signed on a three-year contract, the reigning English champs will be hoping Harder can reproduce the form that has seen her score 105 goals in 114

games for Wolfsburg, including 27 last season.

Harder, who leaves Wolfsburg following four back-to-back domestic doubles, scored her first goal for Chelsea over the weekend, just six minutes after coming on as a sub in her second game.

If she can go on to emulate King Kev, who won the English top flight’s golden boot in his second season, she’ll be doing well.

But maybe resist the urge to get a perm, Pernille!

Ghanian giant at FCN

Dane debuts in NFL

Support for equal pay

AFTER visiting the club for a week as part of his coaching training, Real Madrid and Chelsea legend Michael Essien has joined FC Nordsjælland on a permanent basis as a player coach. The Ghanaian is already involved in implementing and participating in training sessions, having joined the club on September 10.

ON SUNDAY night, Hjalte Froholdt made his debut for the New England Patriots in their 21-11 victory over the Miami Dolphins. The offensive lineman was rotated in on four special teams plays and is the first Dane to play in NFL's regular season since iconic kicker Morten Andersen retired in 2007. He is also the first ever Danish non-kicker to line up for an NFL game.

A PARLIAMENTARY majority this week has signalled its support for the equalising of pay across the men’s and women’s national football teams. It is a system that has been implemented in many countries across the world, but in Denmark there is still enormous disparity in remuneration between the teams.

Sådan super Søren!

SØREN Kragh Andersen, 26, made Danish cycling history by winning the 14th stage of the Tour de France on September 12. It is the 20th time in history that a Dane has taken a TdF stage since Mogens Frey won the first in 1970.

Top 200 beckons

Can Princess Pernille emulate King Kev?

in 1981 was sixth.

CLARA Tauson reached her highest position in the women’s world tennis rankings following her win at the W15 Oeiras tournament in Portugal on August 23. The 17-year-old is now ranked 208.

Bendtner joins minnows NICKLAS Bendtner, 32, is training with small Danish club Tårnby FF and made a debut for its ‘old boys’ team. Bendtner has not played professional football since being released by FC Copenhagen last year.

Qualifies for US Open STRONG golfing prospect Rasmus Højgaard, 19, won the UK Championship on August 30 after beating South Africa’s Justin Walters in a play-off. The win earns him a place in the US Open, which starts on Thursday. Meanwhile on the same day that Højgaard won, Emily Kristine Pedersen, 24, won the Czech Open.

Dane signs for La Liga team MIDFIELDER Jens Jønsson, 27, has signed a two-year contract with La Liga new boys Cadiz after moving from Turkey’s Konyaspor, which he joined in 2016.

10 BUSINESS

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

ONLINE THIS WEEK Property shortage THERE are a record low number of houses for sale in all but 10 percent of Danish municipalities – the lowest level for ten years.

In related news, the long-awaited property value appraisal, which determines how much owners pay in tax, has been postponed for a sixth time – this time until next summer. It is believed 800,000 homeowners have been paying too much tax since 2011.

ONLINE THIS WEEK GERD ALTMANN

Economy positioned well to recover

18 September - 8 October 2020

Bank aware of failings A LEGAL investigation has revealed that Danske Bank has been aware of some of the problems relating to its debt-collection operations since 1992.

Just days earlier, its executive vice president Rob de Ridder claimed the bank had only become aware of the issues in early 2019.

Scandic revises figure THE SCANDIC hotel chain has revised its recent number of redundancies down from 250 to 190 following negotiations with union representatives. In related news, the hotel and leisure chain BC Group, which owns several prominent hotels as well as the Bella Center, has laid off a further 75 employees to add to the 350 it let go in March.

Interim joy for Arla ARLA’S income grew by 2.8 percent over the first six months of 2020. Increased consumer demand alongside a rapid restructuring of production and delivery processes ensured success for the dairy giant.

HUAWEI is launching a YouTube channel for Danish kids, reports Altinget. Tommy Zwicky, a former DR kids' show host who will host the videos, rejects the notion that the Chinese tech giant is looking to influence Danish children. Instead ‘Tech med Tommy’ just wants to enlighten them about technology.

Online bonanza

Aldi fighting food waste GERMAN supermarket Aldi has teamed up with food waste company Too Good To Go to begin selling 'happiness bags' made up of excess fruit and veg at a reduced rate. The scheme saved over ten tonnes of food waste during its trial period. In related news, Salling Group – the owner of Netto, Føtex and Bilka – now delivers grocery items. It expects to hire up to 400 new employees.

Huawei kids channel

The numbers are going in Denmark's favour

Denmark’s second quarter fall in GDP was barely half of the EU average

outgoing UK seeing a decrease of more than 20 percent.

Precautionary measures MEANWHILE, amid escalat-

ing coronavirus cases several big companies – such as DR, TV2, the University of Copenhagen, Pandora and Rambøll – and 18 municipalities, mostly in Greater Copenhagen and Odense, have sent employees home to work.

While other businesses are increasingly initiating to tackle the spread, such as the US-style restaurant chain Bone's, which encourages its guests to voluntarily leave their contact information in case there is reason to believe they could have been infected.

Jan Vinther Laursen, its CEO, is concerned that the restaurant industry is being stigmatised.

"I do not think it is in the restaurant environment where the infection is spreading. But if it provides an extra degree of security for our guests, we are happy to play along," he told DR.

Ugandan recall

Concern at cigs cut

Netflix users stung

UGANDA has recalled a number of employees from its Copenhagen embassy, including the ambassador, following media allegations of an alleged plot to launder unspent funds. According to Ugandan media, embassy staff discussed how to share out remaining funds for the 2019/2020 financial year in a Zoom meeting, which was secretly recorded.

DESPITE the tax increase in April this year, Philip Morris International is cutting the price of a packet of Marlboro to 41 kroner a packet by effectively paying for the increase in tax itself. The Danish Cancer Society is concerned that cigarettes are being sold at a loss, and MPs suggest a minimum price for 20 cigarettes should be imposed.

NETFLIX customers in Denmark with a basic plan pay the most per title in the world, according to a Comparitech analysis. Switzerland, Sweden, Norway and Portugal completed the bottom five. Denmark has 3,808 titles, which is 23 percent less than average. Denmark also scored poorly for standard and premium Netflix plans, coming in second worst for both options.

LUKE ROBERTS

D

ENMARK'S GDP shrunk by less than expected during the second quarter of 2020 – a sign that it is well placed to quickly recover from the Coronavirus Crisis.

The 6.9 percent Q2 decrease – the largest quarterly fall since the early 1990s – was 0.5 percentage points less than previously forecast, according to Danmarks Statistik.

Tore Stramer, the chief economist at Dansk Erhverv, responded by saying that GDP growth of 4-5 percent was "not unthinkable" in the third quarter, while the government has cut its 2020 forecast from -5.3 to -4.5 percent.

The EU average fall during Q2 was 11.9 percent, with the

Net gain in jobs THE UNEMPLOYMENT figures back up the optimism, as they fell for the second month in a row in July with a net gain of 5,500.

The government has announced a new 9.2 billion kroner 'war chest' to support struggling businesses with the retention of their workforce following the end of the wage compensation agreement on August 29.

The new 'temporary division of labour scheme' allows relevant employees to work fewer hours, share tasks with colleagues, and receive a greater rate of unemployment benefit. It will be in place until December 31.

THE NEED to be well-fed and well-occupied led to record online revenues of 74.7 billion kroner for the first six months of 2020. So while some sectors have been hit hard by the physical absence of customers, newly burgeoning online markets are addressing the shortfall.

Lego faring well LEGO HAS confirmed a 7 percent growth in revenue for the first half of the year. Its interim turnover of 3.9 billion kroner was largely driven by double-digit growth rates in a number of global markets, as well as a strategic turn towards online sales.

Xmas party cancellations SEVERAL Danish companies are shelving their annual Christmas parties due to the coronavirus, including Novo Nordisk, Danfoss, DSB, DaneDanmark and Sydbank.

Pandora and Danske Bank might also follow suit. In related news, Rema 1000 is dropping ‘Black Friday’ and J-Dag, an event to mark the release of Carlsberg’s Christmas beer in November, has been cancelled.

Telia ends Parken deal TELIA is to end its sponsorship of the national stadium. Known for the past six years as Telia Parken, the stadium will revert to its former name of Parken until a new sponsor is found.

Meanwhile, its owner Parken S&E has posted a loss of over 150 million kroner for the first half of this year.

BUSINESS OPINION

18 September - 8 October 2020

SØREN BREGENHOLT THE VALLEY OF LIFE As the chairman of the Medicon Valley Alliance – the gold-labelled Danish-Swedish life science cluster organisation – Søren will address current trends and challenges in the sector.

W

HILE THE COVID-19 outbreak has understandably catapulted healthcare to the very top

Game-changing pandemic THE FIRST one is obvious.

Everyone looks to life science for a cure or a vaccine, and the global race to provide COVID-19 remedies has directed very substantial public and private interest and resources to life science all over the globe. Several Danish and Swedish companies and institutions are actively involved in this race!

The second and interrelated reason relates to the economic and financial consequences of the pandemic, which has shaken and threatened several vital industries and their supply chains.

This includes tourism, aviation, hotels and restaurants, leisure, and many other industries. Con-

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

Good news, bad news DURING the transition period the UK has traded with the EU on the same basis as an EU member, even though the UK officially left the EU on February 1.

During the transition period both parties have been involved in negotiations about the future relationship. The bad news is that we still have some uncertainty. The good news is that the negotiations will conclude, one way or another, within the next few weeks.

Boris Johnson, the UK prime minister, has recently stated that if a deal has not been reached

by October 15 – the date of the European Council meeting – he does not see a free trade agreement being reached.

Time to restrategise?

FORTUNATELY, life science has a well-established stronghold in the Nordics – particularly in Denmark and Sweden. Both countries have recently adopted national life science strategies, but following the COVID-19 pandemic, several of the key industry, policy and academia stakeholders in Danish life science now agree that it might be a good idea to revisit the national Danish life science strategy in order to make it even more ambitious.

Life science is moving up the ladder from being important to critically important in securing the health of our fellow citizens and reinCoping with the changes WHATEVER the outcome of the negotiations, there will be changes from January 1, and businesses on both sides of the North Sea that trade with each other will need to be prepared for these changes.

In preparation for these changes, the UK government announced the ‘Keep Business Moving’ campaign on September 7. The campaign will direct EU traders to a dedicated gov. uk page that provides information on what they need to do to continue trading smoothly with the UK at the end of the year.

itiating the growth of our economy.

Regional perspective ONE OF the most obvious, easy, and less costly ways to make the national Danish life science strategy more ambitious is to embrace the regional perspective and develop, strengthen, and promote the Danish-Swedish life science cluster, Medicon Valley.

Both countries are innovation leaders in Europe. Their high-ranking universities have a long history of academic excellence and public-private partnership within life science, and the cluster is home to worldclass research facilities, valuable health data, and a vibrant ecosystem of life science start-ups.

A little extra effort TODAY, we are not picking all the low-hanging fruit and embracing

An outbreak of activity

life science in southern Sweden systematically and strategically when developing and promoting Danish life science. With just a little extra effort and a little more willingness in Copenhagen and Stockholm, we could do so much more.

Together we could convincingly position the Nordics as the leading life science cluster in northern Europe to the benefit of patients, citizens, and scientists alike. Let’s make sure our future Danish life science strategy reflects that!

PIXABAY

O

N 1 JANUARY 2021 trading arrangements between Denmark and the UK will change.

sequently, less vulnerable and more crisis-resistant industries, such as life science, also become increasingly interesting from a political perspective.

PIXABAY

of the political agenda, the same goes for the somewhat broader topic of life science, but for at least two different reasons.

11

Time to take a side, old friend

need to react to changes made to border controls, rules of origin requirements, potential tariffs, VAT registration and payment, personal data regulations etc. They will also need to consider any impact these changes will have on their costs and make the necessary adjustments.

Some are well prepared MANY LARGE companies are already well prepared for the end of the transition period, with dedicated teams monitoring developments and concocting plans to deal with different scenarios.

Smaller businesses with significant UK/DK trade will also

100 days to go ...

EVERY business with UK/DK trading links will still have some work to do. As we approach 100 days to the end of the transition (September 23) all companies should review their readiness.

It looks like the ‘Keep Business

Moving’ gov.uk/eubusiness will be a vital source of up-to-date information to help Danish businesses continue trading smoothly with the UK after 1 January 2021.

On top of the mechanics of the changes, we all need to remember that Denmark and the UK have a long trading history during which our companies, both large and small, have developed strong trading relationships. Working closely with our customers and suppliers and sharing experiences with each other (e.g. with the help of our chamber) will make a big difference as we navigate the changes.

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12 OPINION The summer is over THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

T

HE NATION is now preparing for the long haul in a changed world. The virus is still around and may be for quite a bit longer. Hot spots are popping up and the law about covering our faces is a joke.

Climate action … finally IT COULD be a jump start for climate action. Airlines are down in capacity without strong taxation. The new vegan party has collected signatures and is now running in the next general election.

The politicians are preparing themselves for the legislation to phase out automobiles run on fossil fuel. The public is apparently adapting to the increase of taxation and depreciation of the existing fleet.

The next target will be a household limitation for old appliances and the improvement of house heating systems.

STEPHEN GADD

Straight, No Chaser

In general, we are witnessing the implementation of renewable energy systems: from large offshore wind parks on power islands to photovoltaic power plants on land. Using fossil fuels to power our utilities is doomed, and that includes the use of biomass.

PM’s pet project THE BUDGET law for 2021 is under negotiation. It will seek to absorb the huge financial stress of the coronavirus compensation measures and address the expectation of continuing with such remedies, but at a much lower rate.

There’s no drama in sight as the PM is concerned about her proposal for the ‘Arne Pension’ – early retirement rights for ‘worn out’ workers in the work market.

She is willing to compromise on everything else so a couple of billion kroner is available for her pet project.

Fewer skiers and suntans SO, A SPECIAL summer is over, and a lot of Danes have discovered their own country as a nice place to enjoy their holiday.

This coming winter we can expect skiing to become less popular, as well as trips to sunnier climes, with many put off by the possibility of seeing their destination’s colour rating on the Foreign Ministry’s travel guide change just hours before departure.

Meanwhile, we are all waiting for a vaccine, and it will undoubtedly help ease the anxiety of vulnerable groups such as the elderly and the handicapped citizens. Let’s compensate them with extra care in the future. (ES)

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

W

E ALL KNOW the drill by now. You’re waiting at a bus stop and the bus hoves into view: cue rummaging in bag to find mask. Of course you should spray your hands with spirit first and not touch the mask, but most people don’t.

Then follows an increasingly uncomfortable bus ride on which your constricted breathing reminds you that you ate too much garlic the night before and your glasses steam up from your hot breath. You end up getting off the bus feeling faintly nauseous.

Stand and deliver MASK-WEARING is the new norm in Denmark on public transport and people seem to have taken to the new rules with surprisingly little resistance - this despite DR’s Detektor revealing that 87,400 people will have to wear masks to prevent one person being infected with the coronavirus. This is based on a figure of 250 people across the entire country being infected.

Statistics are tricky things. We all know that statistically flying is much safer than travelling by road, but if you’re the one on the jumbo going down, that doesn’t really matter much. Likewise, although statistically there is an infinitesimally small chance of hitting the lottery jackpot, people still argue “someone has to win and it could just as well be me”.

Do as you are told DESPITE all this, by and large Danes are very obedient when the government or other official body produces guidelines or issues instructions. There is a high level of trust amongst the

PIXABAY

The new norm HOWEVER, we are addressing the situation with dignity. The health service is back to normal and is now treating new virus cases with experience, utilising remedies that don’t involve ventilators at an early stage.

Testing is routine and capacity is improving to the extent it’s easily available in your neighbourhood and the results are more or less instant.

Keeping a lid on the spread by using tracing apps and other methods will ensure fast action and local lockdowns when needed. Nightlife restrictions, more homework and funny looking mouthpieces are quickly becoming the new norm.

18 September - 8 October 2020

Rob a bank and blend into the crowd

population that these authorities have our best interests at heart and that it is best to do what they say.

Contrast that with recent events across the Atlantic. Due to the way it evolved as a country, the US has a long history of anti-authoritarianism, while personal freedoms are prized above what Europeans regard as the common good. This line of reasoning could be the reason corona is still pretty much out of control there.

Outlandish conspiracy theories also seem to gain more traction ‘over there’. The massive emphasis on personal freedom lends credence to the idea that experts should not be trusted; they are probably pushing their own agenda, and one man’s view is as good as the next.

Off the beam THIS IS false and dangerous reasoning. For example, I’d very much like to hear the views of Woody Harrelson when it comes to acting, but just because he is famous I don’t think he knows much more than me when it

comes to corona and how it spreads. He is but one celebrity who has been spreading the notion that 5G masts cause corona.

Other celebrities have hitched themselves to the ‘anti-vaxxer’ bandwagon, with some claiming that if you get vaccinated against corona, Bill Gates will insert a microchip inside you at the same time to keep tabs on you.

Grin and bear it WHEN LOOKED at in cold print with any kind of critical eye, these theories are patently insane as well as very harmful.

The anti-vaxxer movement has already led to falling rates of vaccination for measles and the resurgence of a disease that was more or less wiped out in the western world.

Call me one of the sheeple, but I’d much rather live in a country where the people feel the government, health service and health experts are here to help us. As onerous as mask-wearing can be, I truly believe it is ultimately for my own good (and the good of my fellow bus travellers).

OPINION

18 September - 8 October 2020

KIRSTEN LOUISE PEDERSEN

Straight Up

A Dane Abroad

Crazy happy mostly DURING lockdown many people have been challenged to redesign how they deliver their work. For many, an inability to meet the sudden demands of flexibility has meant an abrupt and unceremonious end to their work or business.

In Denmark, many workers have been uniquely fortunate to have been shielded to a great degree from job losses due to the government-initiated pay compensation schemes.

However, many also report having benefited positively from the change to their work structures. The coronavirus lockdown has presented a new way of working that is far more flexible than the old 9-5 structure.

And despite countless comedic memes of people going stir crazy at home during lockdown, a great percentage of people prefer working from home if given the choice, according to the WHO. Massage via Messenger?

OVERPOPULATION in larger cities is a growing concern in most countries. If more people are able to work from home, the effect may

Early Rejser ADAM WELLS PIXABAY

A

NEXT ISSUE

ZACH KHADUDU

Born and raised in Denmark and a resident of New Zealand for over 14 years, Kirsten has lived a pretty nomadic life since her early 20s. A physiotherapist, yoga teacher and keen home cook, she is passionate about food, good living and natural health.

Follow her on Instagram @kirstenlouiseyoga CCORDING to a recent article in the Economist, COVID-19 is here to stay.

The WHO bleakly announced last month that for at least a decade the world will continue to be greatly affected by this crisis, and disruptions to our work life will play a significant role long-term as we continue to adjust our lives to the omnipresence of a highly contagious disease.

The interesting part is how we all plan to do that.

13

IN 2 ISSUES

Mishra’s Mishmash MRUTYUANJAI MISHRA

Crazier than Christmas VIVIENNE MCKEE IN 3 ISSUES This century's answer to the unsinkable Molly Brown

be a natural dispersing of people across the landscapes, posing a solution to traffic congestion, crowded cities and rural communities on the brink of extinction.

Despite this, the newly arisen COVID-19 restrictions are a cause of considerable concern for many other industries that rely more heavily on a personal presence.

Anyone whose work relies almost entirely on person-to-person contact may suffer greatly during this crisis. For example, how do you deliver a massage online? A great many have simply been unable to carry out their work remotely, and they will find it difficult, if not impossible, to convert their work into a digital delivery.

A bad hand for some PERSONALLY, I am lucky in that I have been able to continue most of my work delivering health consultations as a physiotherapist via a digital platform.

This is fortunate indeed, and it has been a relatively easy transition purely because my current role has a large advisory component. Had my daily work been all hands on, I would have really struggled during these changes.

For many, rolling naturally into a working-from-home model has been the opportunity they have been waiting for. But for others this is a dark dream as they are forced out of business if their work cannot be carried out remotely or becomes infeasible due to space restrictions.

Flexible delivery is key BECAUSE so many people work in offices in front of computers these days, there may be a tendency to believe that moving our work to our homes won’t be a huge deal for many people. But so many people don’t have that option. And for them this crisis is not offering a more flexible work life, but instead a very in-flexible work life.

This is indeed a time to consider what we do for work (if we have that luxury at all) and to assess whether our work can be carried out in more than one way.

‘Flexible delivery’ appears to be a key quality in determining whether our work fares a good chance of surviving in the future.

This all reminds me of a quote I read during the lockdown: “We are all in the same storm, but we are not in the same boat.”

The Road Less Taken JESSICA ALEXANDER

An Actor’s Life IAN BURNS IN 4 ISSUES

Englishman in Nyhavn JACK GARDNER

Green Spotlight SIBYLLE DE VALENCE IN 5 ISSUES

Mackindergarten ADRIAN MACKINDER

Living Faith REVD SMITHA PRASADAM

14 COMMUNITY

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

18 September - 8 October 2020

How the Danish work-life balance starts long before getting a job Four recent graduates of the Copenhagen International School reflect on how their International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme gave them the ideal platform to succeed BEN HAMILTON

C

OPENHAGEN International School might be an international school, but it breathes Danishness, if the remarks of four of its most successful graduates of the past two years are anything to go by.

Three prospective Oxford students, along with the proud recipient of a perfect score in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, concur that the school has been hugely influential in helping them to achieve a manageable world-life balance in their academic pursuits.

It is the same quality that Denmark is lauded for the world over – that ability to foster hard work, but not at the expense of a social or family life.

Ultimately, this is a nation where people work to live, as opposed to live to work, but that doesn’t mean to say their work isn’t enjoyable, rewarding and consequential.

And thanks to the likes of Copenhagen International School, it is a habit taught early, thus enabling a strong platform from which they can really reach for the skies.

Hitting the ultimate bullseye PHILLIP Mondrup, a graduate in 2020, will complete his military service at the Royal Guard in April 2021 ahead of attending university at Imperial College London or DTU. And clearly he is exactly the kind of soldier you’d want on your shoulder in battle, or on parade at Rosenborg Castle, as he always gives it 100 percent – or 45/45 to be exact, his score in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

Since beginning Copenhagen International School in the 11th grade, he credits it with instilling order into his life.

Clara, Dániel, Johannes and Phillip all agree that they owe an enormous debt to CIS and the IB for their academic success

"I feel that I’ve improved my work ethic and really figured out the balance between work and free time,” he said. "I’ve matured a lot.”

Striking the right balance is key to the effort that students like Mondrup put into their studies, but don’t for one second think the success has quenched this cadet’s ambition – both in academia and at his academy!

“The Queen of Denmark presents a watch to the best guard of that team. There are about 400 soldiers per team, and the recipient of the Queen’s Watch is chosen by his or her peers for being a good soldier and companion to others,” he explained with steely resolve.

“It would be an honour to receive this.”

Well-oiled juggling act FELLOW 2020 graduate Johannes Hækkerup, who this autumn will begin reading Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) at the University of Oxford, has a similar appraisal of his time at the international school.

Like Mondrup, he identifies the International Baccalaureate Learner Profile Trait he has developed the most as his ability to balance – to the extent that his time has often resembled a juggling act!

“A lot of the difficulty of the International Baccalaureate comes from the many balls you have to juggle,” he explained.

Hækkerup handled everything thrown his way – subjects, assignments, extra-curricular activities such as sport, and the “emotional burden” of being at high school – to get the grade necessary to be admitted to one of the most respected universities in the world.

“The key to doing well is to never drop any of these balls, or else everything starts to become much harder on you,” he said.

It is a lesson that Hækkerup will take into his studies – and further afield.

“Balance between them is essential, not just in International Baccalaureate, but in life,” he contended. “You will always have many things to keep in control, and International Baccalaureate has given me vital experience in doing just this.”

Like with Mondrup, the sky’s the limit for this young graduate.

“Copenhagen International School has provided me with the perspective and mindset to look outwards and push myself for the very top,” he concluded.

Scholar’s shining on AT FIRST glance, it might look like 2019 graduate Dániel Kovács took a gap year to unwind after winning a place at Oxford to study History, but this was more of a busman’s holiday!

He has been working as a tutor throughout his gap year, and before the outbreak of COVID-19 he worked as “a research assistant to a professor at the University of Copenhagen, helping him compile bibliographies and finding sources for his research”.

Again, finding the right work-life balance has been key to his success, and he is in no doubt that the International Baccalaureate and his time at Copenhagen International School were the crucial elements.

Of all the Learner Profile Traits he developed, he identifies 'balanced' as the crucial one.

“Specifically in terms of divid-

ing up time and maximising work efficiency, which I learned the hard way in the first year of International Baccalaureate,” he said.

“Having a good work-life balance and knowing how to make the most of your time and ability is quite the nice universal trait that isn't just applicable to academics.”

Kovács is a product of the school’s scholarship program, which he owes “a huge thanks to”, as he is in no doubt his time at the school has played an integral role in his move to Oxford, again by encouraging him to aim as high as possible.

“I think the confidence to apply to Oxford came from the skills and knowledge I got and developed while at Copenhagen International School,” he said.

The confidence to succeed CONFIDENCE was also key to 2019 graduate Clara Strømsted, who like Hækkerup is about to start reading PPE at the University of Oxford – particularly during the interview process.

“I think Copenhagen International School encourages a learning environment where you shouldn’t be scared of speaking your mind;

you won’t be told off for saying something wrong, and you’re always encouraged to try even though there’s a risk of failing,” she said.

“This was useful in the interviews because honestly there wasn’t a point when I was sure I was saying the right thing, but I still spoke and showed my thinking process.

However, the confidence did not come easily, as Strømsted recalls wasting time on “worrying and doubting” at the beginning of the International Baccalaureate program.

But fortunately she had “super helpful” teachers who were always willing to spend extra time explaining things if she needed help.

“They’re very knowledgeable and passionate, which motivated me to do well, because I knew they were putting in effort,” she concluded.

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE Founded in 1968, the IB is very much a child of the spirit of the time. Its English-language curriculum encourages creative, critical thinking over rote-learning Launched five years earlier, Copenhagen International School was one of the founding schools of the IB. It is very much part of the school’s DNA The IB’s international curriculum enables students to swap from one IB school in one country to another in another country smoothly It is available to upper-secondary students at 15 schools in Denmark.

Copenhagen International School is one of only two schools in Denmark authorised to offer it to students aged 3-19

FEATURE

18 September - 8 October 2020

15

A tour guide truly worthy of being an ambassador for our wonderful capital Listen and learn while the Wonderful Wonderful Walks Copenhagen app cracks jokes at a distance while keeping the intimacy closely in your ears BEN HAMILTON

N

OBODY was ever going to be confused by the names Lepin and Lego, but by using the same font and colouring, the Chinese imitator was onto a good thing with the chronically short-sighted. We’ve all been there: a special offer for a kitchen contraption made by a company beginning with ‘B’ … just not the one we thought it was. Or waking up in bed with a dealer from WP Morgan …

In Greenwich there used to be a furniture store called ‘No Ikea’.

It wasn’t long before they got a telephone call from Stockholm.

They changed the name to ‘No Idea’. That’s Greenwich, London, by the way, not Greenwich Village, New York – it’s funny, but nobody ever seems to object to somebody ripping off the name of your town.

Taking the biscuit HEATHER Gartside, the owner of the Wonderful Wonderful Walks Copenhagen app – which offers users warts-and-all virtual tours around the city, which can be enjoyed on the route or from the armchair – is adamant she didn’t rip her name off from Wonderful Copenhagen.

Like the capital’s official tourism company, she borrowed it from Danny Kaye, she insists, and besides, it’s not like she wants the association. In the wake of the pandemic, the experienced walking tour operator is taking a more upbeat approach to the dwindling numbers of tourists in the city, and she’s had enough of all the pessimism.

“It’s time that we breathed some life into the dispirited tone that the tourist bureau Wonderful Copenhagen has set,” she contended.

“It’s really taken the Danish butter cookie over the past few months with its lacklustre, scared, half-finished or downright defeated campaigns and articles on social

media about the financial catastrophe that has hit so many hotels, companies, bars, restaurants … and yes, self-employed tour guides.”

Scintillating wit GARTSIDE’S answer to the pandemic, which overnight prevented her from meeting her clients, was to go virtual: “The new normal is uncharted territory, with much in the tourist business now becoming, and in the near future, virtual.”

She spent the spring researching and then writing a new 17,000-word script packed full of informative, witty and often salacious details about the less frequented and unusual parts of the Danish capital, which is complemented by music, video and some standout photography.

Available via Google Play and the App Store, the result is the kind of guide everybody secretly wants but never gets. It’s so evocative of the capital, you could just listen at home and then cross Copenhagen off the bucket list – an approach taken

by Liam from CTO Virtualtrips.

Huge applause “JUST WHEN you think it’s becoming predictable there’s a wacko piece of music or some indecipherable Danish word thrown at you. Highly recommended, even from my apartment in London!” he enthused.

“I really enjoyed the humorous and well modulated commentary, and I love the tips on all the free things to do – oh and when you’re nearby public conveniences!” concurred Patricia Agnew from Toastmasters CPH North.

“WWWalks is very different and full of fun and original content. My kids liked it too, and all the music and funny voices had them enjoying the history so much that they forgot that they were learning!” added Mariska Volkers, the founder of Nordsjælland International Community.

Sustainable focus OUT OF the adversity, Gartside

Gartside in action

is advocating a more sustainable approach to tourism, not only with her virtual tour, but through the observations she includes about present day innovation and values in the city.

“Those that can adapt are the only ones that will weather the storm. This is an exciting time, where we can rise in beautiful, user-friendly and sustainable new ways. After all, Copenhagen aims to become carbon neutral by 2025,” she said.

“So where is the fight, Wonderful Copenhagen? Great ideas are born out of adversity - be brave! And no, we don’t want the stinking cruise ships back!”

Busy schedule GARTSIDE also live-streams from Copenhagen every two weeks via virtualtrips.io. Catch her next performance, ‘Danish Divas’, on Saturday 22 September at 18:00. Other recent escapades included a stand against the overblown global concept of Danish hygge.

WWWalks is clearly gathering steam. Just this Monday, Gartside held court at the ongoing International Citizens Day with a speech entitled ‘What is it with all these Christians and Frederiks’.

Catch her on Saturday (Sep 19) when she takes a complementary taster tour around the sights with the WWWalks app at 10:30.

16 HISTORY

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

18 September - 8 October 2020

Something fishy about the sinking of the Danish king's ship 525 years ago

BEN HAMILTON

A

S FAR AS medieval conspiracy theories go, it’s right up there with what really happened on the White Ship that sank with the heir to the English throne onboard in 1120, was Joan of Arc actually a man, and who really faked the Shroud of Turin.

Back before Novichok THIS ONE is a Scandinavian sizzler that has been perplexing historians for over 500 years – which probably explains why Ken Follett hasn’t jumped on it yet for another Middle Ages romp, but give him time!

Like most destructive events in those days, it involved fire and possible regicide.

But the cause of the blaze – which consumed the Danish king’s 35-metre long ship, Gribshunden (griffen hound) and sent it and most of its occupants to the depths of the Baltic in 1495 – remains unknown.

King Hans was fortunately not onboard at the time as the ship was anchored off Ronneby near the southeastern tip of Sweden.

Together with the Danish fleet, the Gribshunden was taking the king to high-level

HANS HOLBEIN THE YOUNGER

When the Gribshunden caught fire in Swedish waters, the monarch was conveniently absent, but had he forgotten his fish supper?

negotiations with the Swedish regent Sten Sture the Elder.

Pesky 'stone' in king's shoe STEN WAS a constant thorn in the side of the Kalmar Union set up by Danish Queen Margaret I in 1397, which Sweden would eventually leave in 1523 after playing second fiddle to the Danes for 126 years.

Was that motive enough to assassinate the Danish king, or was it possibly even an inside job orchestrated by Hans to avoid meeting Sten?

After all, the next time they met was across the battlefield two years later. In the meantime, peace was the last thing on Hans’ mind. He backed a failed Russian invasion of Finland, influenced the Swedish nobility’s ejection of Sten as regent, and then marched to Stockholm to engage him.

With only peasants in his ranks, Sten was no match for the Danish forces.

Fluff divers IT WAS with great excitement, therefore, when archaeologists learned of the wreck of Gribshunden in Swedish waters in 2000. It had been discovered by a local diving club in the 1970s, but they hadn’t thought to tell anyone!

And in 2015, the wreck garnered worldwide attention when the almost perfectly preserved ship’s figurehead was brought to the surface. As the ship’s name

The downside of ships back then was that they made excellent kindling

suggests, it is a crocodilian-like dog, with human remains protruding from its teeth.

Its eyes are somewhat closed, like it is the bearer of a great secret: would its embers finally resolve what happened aboard its timbers on that fateful day in 1495?

The remains of an enemy missile, perhaps, or the fag-end of whatever they used to smoke before Sir Walter returned with some finest Virginia?

Would it heck!

A fish for fanden!

FIVE YEARS passed … and

nothing. Sure, they’ve found chainmail, crossbows, bones, glass and capstans, and a few historians are excited because the ship was made in the same era as Christopher Columbus’s most famous vessel, the Santa Maria.

But the best they can come up with in the area of conjecture is why was there a two-metre Atlantic sturgeon onboard in a barrel?

Lund University believes the fish, a huge delicacy at the time and quite prestigious, was a “propaganda tool” – a sign of status heading to the Kalmar Union negotiations, and even

a possible gift for the Swedish regent and court.

The Danish National Museum disagrees, calling Lund’s suggestion “absurd” according to videnskab.dk – a retort straight out of the Mette Frederiksen playbook, used recently to turn down Donald Trump’s offer to buy Greenland.

The sturgeon, claims the museum, was just as likely being kept for the king’s `fish supper.

Aha … but why didn’t Hans take it with him when he abandoned ship? Like most conspiracy theories, there’s clearly something distinctly fishy going on.

17 Out damned Dane, out I say – Hasta la vista, Sueltita!

HISTORY

18 September - 8 October 2020

FLICKR/ PP COMUNIDAD DE MADRID

They say elephants never forget, which is true unless they’ve just been shot by the reigning Spanish monarch. Fortunately bystanders remember the felling, and the fallout, only too well LUKE ROBERTS

I

T ALL RATHER sounds like a Hollywood film: a fateful meeting between two patriarchs has devastating, far-reaching consequences.

The result, the senseless shooting of an elephant in the sixth decade of its life, is eerily portentous of a beloved monarch, King Juan Carlos I of Spain, unravelling before the eyes of his subjects. Not least because shortly afterwards he slipped in his tent and fractured his hip.

At the heart of this tale of downfall is a femme fatale (like The Great Gatsby's Daisy), a witness whose contribution will be debated for years to come.

She also just happens to be a Dane.

Enter Lady Macbeth ENTREPRENEUR and international socialite Corrina zu Sayn-Wittgenstein gained international notoriety in 2012 as the Dane at the heart of a web of scandal surrounding the then Spanish monarch – and today, eight years later, it is a web that continues to grow thanks to her recent interview with the BBC. In her role as an organiser of rare animal hunts between 2000 and 2006, she became closely acquainted with Juan Carlos I to the extent she was his mistress between 2004 and 2009.

But it is her purported role as a self-described Lady Macbethtype villain that she is most keen to shake.

Tripped over tusks EVEN BEFORE the emergence of Sayn-Wittgenstein onto the scene, the monarch was already in turmoil, following a corruption investigation into his son-in-law in 2011. But it was the spectre of

Juan Carlos salutes the patience of the Spanish people, while his son wonders if they'll ever trust again

the elephant, all five tonnes and 50 years of it, that really came to haunt Juan Carlos after 2012 – not least because he was his country’s acting World Wildlife Fund honorary president.

When the king fell and fractured his hip on a trip organised by his mistress, the holiday and the affair were catapulted into the Spanish headlines.

Sayn-Wittgenstein, for her part, claimed a limited role in the shooting, stating: “I'm a hunter, but I've never killed an elephant in my life and never would. For me, the whole hunting experience was traumatic in that sense.”

But the real trauma would come to follow at the hands of the Spanish intelligence service, CNI. She described one of the campaigns against her as painting her as a “Lady Macbeth [leading] this wonderful man astray”, and another as being led by factions within the palace already opposed to the monarch.

Scandalising an elephant ALL OF this took place in relation to a king who, in theory, should

have been untouchable. Not only did he guide Spain out of the autocracy of General Franco’s rule, which came to an end in November 1975, but he single-handedly defended the new democracy from a military coup just over five years later. Juan Carlos had all the makings of a historic figure.

But the secret trip came at a time when unemployment in Spain was at 23 percent, and it is no surprise that the details around their relationship and its financials have once again come under close public scrutiny in a country that has been one of the worst-hit by the Coronavirus Crisis.

The expense and the infidelity, having been married to the popular Queen Sofia since 1962, stirred up significant dissatisfaction, with his abdication coming in 2014.

A villain reconciled?

MORE RECENTLY, in 2018, a female voice, attributed to Sayn-Wittgenstein, was published by the Spanish media describing the former king’s dealings in Saudi Arabia, and it is such dealings that are the subject of intense scrutiny

this year.

The king is alleged to have received kick-backs from contracts in the region. In particular, a 100 million US dollar payment from the late Saudi king, Abdullah, placed in an offshore account connected to Juan Carlos, of which 65 million was later sent to Sayn-Wittgenstein.

It is this payment that continues to haunt Sayn-Wittgenstein. She described the gift as “enormously generous” and, in testimony to Swiss prosecutors, believed it was a gift made out of love, and a response to the “reputational destruction” she had been subjected to.

Fernando Rueda, an expert on the CNI, tells a different story.

Noting how unlikely it is that she continues to be a person of interest, he contends she is simply making a shrewd attempt to present herself as the victim at a time when interest in her financial affairs, especially in Switzerland and the UK, remains high.

What's done is undone IN MARCH, King Felipe VI

announced he would renounce any inheritance from his father, and in June the Spanish Supreme Court began investigating Juan Carlos’s role as the facilitator in the building of a high-speed rail network.

Sayn-Wittgenstein, who was herself listed in the Panama Papers in 2017, claimed this month that there will be “hundreds of other accounts in other jurisdictions” linked to the former king.

Facing her own legal challenges, she remains emotionally loyal, stating she still has “very sincere feelings for him” and is “extremely saddened by the turn it has taken”.

With court proceedings set to take place in the UK in the near future, for Sayn-Wittgenstein, unlike her fictional counterpart, what’s done is not quite yet done.

Lady Macbeth herself

18 EVENTS

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

Don’t Fear The Weird Sep 22-24; online & various venues; dfi.dk The Don’t Fear The Weird Film Festival for the fifth year in a row presents movies and events that revolve around bends in the human psyche. The festival’s premise is to put focus on mental health and aspects that are not talked about often. The festival is organised by a collaboration of Cinemateket, PsykInfo Region H and Outsideren. (NJB) Copenhagen’s Oktoberfest Sep 17-19 & Sep 25-26; Amagerstrand Femøren, Amager Strand Promenaden 1, Cph S; free adm This year’s Oktoberfest is here!

Two weekends full of German live bands and DJs performing live on one of the hottest beaches in Copenhagen. Bring your friends and join this year’s celebration of beer and German culture. (NJB) Astronomy on Tap: Peculiar Planets Sep 29, 17:30-20:00; Huset-KBH, Rådhusstræde 13, Cph K; free adm Astronomy on Tap is a monthly event aimed at making the latest research in astronomy and space accessible to the public.

This month’s theme is ‘Peculiar Planets’ in honour of the recent launch of the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover. (NJB) Buster Film Festival Sep 21-Oct 4; Flæsketorvet 60 3, Cph V; ticket prices vary, buster.dk Scandinavia's largest children's film festival, Buster Film Festival, draws up to 35,000 kids, teachers and families every year. The target group is 3-16 years. (RM)

World Press Photo Sep 25-Oct 18; Politikens Hus, Rådhuspladsen 37, Cph K; 130kr The exhibition of World Press Photo 2020 shows this year’s winners chosen out of 73,996 photographs by 4,283 photographers from 125 different countries. The winner’s photos showcase stories carefully selected by an independent jury to highlight the most important world events. (NJB) Live Jazz Every Wed, 20:00-22:00; Søhesten, Sølvgade 103, Cph K; free adm Come and listen to a live jazz performance by the city’s best musicians every Wednesday right by the Lakes. (NJB) Lyngby Day Sep 25, 13:00-18:00; Lyngby Torv, Lyngby; 65kr Are you a new student in Lyngby? Do you not know your way around the city just yet? This orientation race will help you explore the city and prepare you for your time there. At the finishing line awaits a delicious burger by Cock’s and Cows included in the price! (NJB) Brunch and ballet Sep 19, 10:00-11:30; Det Kongelige Teater, Kongens Nytorv 9, Cph K; free adm Come to a ballet dance practice and have some lunch at the KGL Royal Theater. Watch professional dancers practise for their shows while holding a cup of warm coffee in your hand. The event itself is free, though registration is required due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The brunch costs 95kr. (NJB)

18 September - 8 October 2020

Open air dancing Sep 18, 18:00-22:00; Fælledparken, Dansepladsen, Cph Ø; free adm Salsa Libre presents an open air dance event. Salsa Libre DJs will be responsible for delivering the best within salsa, bachata, merengue, reggaeton, Cuban rueda de casino, dance animations and much more! (NJB) Burger & Beer Festival Sep 25, 16:00-Sep 27, 20:00; Crêpe Kitchen, Amager Strand, Cph S; free adm Are you a true burger lover? Come to the Burger & Beer Festival and decide who will take home the title of Denmark’s best burger. You will get the chance to try all of this year’s finalists and, together with the board of judges, decide who takes home the grand price. (NJB)

Latin Movie Night Sep 29, 17:30-22:00; Cinemateket, Gothersgade 55, Cph K; 65kr Come and join CBS Vamos for a screening of the Mexican drama ‘Midnight Family’. Before the screening, enjoy a coffee or a beer together with members of the student organisation. Afterwards attend the reception in Asta Bar held in collaboration with the Mexican Embassy. (NJB) NØRDCon Oct 3, 08:00-Oct 4 16:00; DGIByen, Tietgensgade 65, Cph V; from 95kr NØRDCon is an event for all lovers of nerdy fun! It is a weekend full of video and board games, exhibitions, cosplays and much more! At the convention, you will find games like Warhammer 40.000, The 9th Age, Blood Bowl and many others. (NJB)

Market days at Reffen every Sat 11:00-14:00; Reffen; free adm Visit Reffen’s market and get inspired. Here, you can find anything from clothes to handmade soap. Treat yourself or one you care about with a unique gift. Enjoy the last days of summer with a beautiful view of Copenhagen Harbour. (NJB)

NOHO Taco Tuesday every Tue 17:00-23:30; NOHO, Flæsketorvet 28, Cph V; from 100kr At NOHO you can treat yourself to four delicious tacos for only 100kr. If you’re feeling like that does not quite quench your taco thirst, you can go for eight tacos and a cocktail pitcher for 400kr.

And there’s live music too! (NJB)

Mal & vin every Sat & Sun 17:00-19:00; Folkehuset Absalon, Sønder Boulevard. 73, Cph V; 70kr Come down to Absalon and release your inner Picasso. You do not need the skills of Rembrandt or Caravaggio to have fun. Bring your best and enjoy some painting with a glass of wine. All materials provided! (NJB)

The Effect Oct 1-10; Krudtttønden, Serridslevvej 2, Cph Ø; 160kr Can a drug make you fall in love?

Directed by Carol Hayes, this theatre play about two volunteers testing a potentially life-changing antidepressant is a collaboration between the Copenhagen Theatre Circle and Assemble Theatre Collective. (NJB)

Potter med Patter every Sat 09:30-11:00; Folkehuset Absalon, Sønder Boulevard 73, Cph V; 150kr Pots with boobs is a pottery event where you can make your own pot with a set of voluptuous, or however you like them, boobs. The process takes a week, with two separate meetings: one for molding and one for painting. The week in between is spent by your pot hardening it to perfection. (NJB) Copenhagen Sake Festival Oct 3, 12:00-18:30; Seidokan Japan Center, Valbygårdsvej 36A, Cph Valby For the sixth year in a row, the centre together with Flying Sea Food will open its doors to the biggest sake event in Denmark.

There, you will be able to try all kinds of Japanese sake. Every ticket also gets a chance to win a 3,000kr gift card. (NJB) Free yoga & meditation Sep 18, 17:00-19:15; Skandinavisk Yoga og Meditationsskole, Købmagergade 65, Cph S; free adm Try a free class at one of Denmark’s most renowned yoga and meditation centres. Step into peaceful surroundings and meet some of Denmark’s most talented yoga teachers, in our unique yoga sanctuary in Købmagergade. (NJB) Tivoli Food & Wine Festival ends Sep 20; Tivoli; various events Come and explore the world of food and wine together with Denmark’s biggest experts in the field. Try amazing food and take part in workshops. (NJB)

film of the month martin eden Our Film of the Month in September is the poetic ’Martin Eden’ by Italian director Pietro Marcello - with English subtitles.

Screening period: 17. - 26. September.

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

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

ENGLISH JOB DENMARK Recruitment Announcements Part of The Welcome Group BUSINESS ANALYST WITHIN TAX SERVICES, NORDEA

HR OPERATIONS SPECIALIST, MEDIQ

MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT, VESTAS

SENIOR LEGAL COUNSEL, NNIT

GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN LABELING COORDINATOR, RADIOMETER

ACCOUNT MANAGER, FALCON.IO

We are now looking for a Business Analyst with legal expertise to be part of monitoring, communicating and implementing tax legislation changes within the value chain of securities operations.

Location: Taastrup Deadline: 28 October 2020 Contact: nordea.com/en/careers You will, together with the rest of the legal team, act as trusted advisor on contractual matters and work closely together with the NNIT business units.

Location: Gladsaxe Deadline: 30 September 2020 Contact: Lene Beck Holm, HR Recruitment Partner, +45 30 77 80 64

PHARMACOVIGILANCE MANAGER, PHARMALEX

Are you experienced in Pharmacovigilance and have an international mindset?

Location: Hørsholm Deadline: When filled Contact: Cecilia Falkenberg, Senior Director Pharmacovigilance and Regulatory Affairs, Nordics +45 51 64 91 50

HR ASSISTANT & OFFICE MANAGER, OUTPOST24

Are you an outgoing, friendly and service minded person who loves helping people and enjoys working in a high-paced environment? Then this might be the role for you.

Location: Copenhagen Deadline: When filled Contact: outpost24.com

To advertise your vacancy here and reach 60,000+ readers weekly, contact: info@englishjobdenmark.dk or call 6070 2298.

For more information about what we can offer: https://englishjobdenmark.dk/

ENGLISH JOB DENMARK

You will be responsible for handling HR administration tasks from A-Z. Activities may vary from day-to-day issues to longterm projects.

Location: Brøndby Deadline: 4 October 2020 Contact: Elise Nymark, HR Manager, +45 23 45 13 77

You will be part of the Global Supply Team and will have the primary responsibility for running labeling processes.

Location: Brønshøj Deadline: 13 October 2020 Contact: Marianne Niemann, Senior Manager, Global Supply Chain, +45 42 20 03 82

DIGITAL MANAGER, BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO

We are looking for a Digital Manager for the Danish market. The position is based in Copenhagen and reports to Head of Brand Activation, and you will be part of our ambitious and dynamic Brand Activation team.

Location: Copenhagen Deadline: When filled Contact: NEAtalent@bat.com

WEB DEVELOPER, UNOPS

You will work closely with other members of the ICT team to undertake development that extends and enhances the award winning corporate website and intranet.

Location: Copenhagen Deadline: 2 October 2020 Contact: unjobs.org

R&D PROJECT MANAGER, AGILENT You will lead and coordinate cross-functional technical projects focused on development of new or enhancement of existing products.

Location: Glostrup Deadline: When filled Contact: Jesper Kühnau, Hiring Manager, +45 4047 9070

Are you enthusiastic about delivering highly service-oriented, professional and value adding quality support to our Senior Vice President, Global Construction Management?

Location: Copenhagen Deadline: 11 October 2020 Contact: Pernille Sort Jensen, Talent Acquisition Partner, +45 20 20 03 39

Looking for someone with a specific focus of managing our existing customers in the UKI region including renewal negotiation, up-selling and especially cross-selling, with a strong emphasis on forging long-term relationships.

Location: Copenhagen Deadline: When filled Contact: Ieva Damberga, Talent Attraction Specialist, +45 31 22 50 49

CONSULTANCY: EXPERT ADVICE FOR READY TO USE THERAPEUTIC FOODS (RUTF) CODEX GUIDELINE, MEDICINES AND NUTRITION CENTRE, SUPPLY DIVISION, UNICEF Specific objective: To review the current evidence base and propose a level of magnesium specific to the SAM target group.

Location: Copenhagen Deadline: 25 September 2020 Contact: unicef.org

LIVE Q&A SESSION WITH A RECRUITER

Join us on Facebook in the recruitment group English Job Denmark where an experienced recruiter will be on hand once a month to answer any questions you may have about gaining employment in Denmark. To take part, simply join English Job Denmark & be ready with your questions.

Contact us for more information: info@the-welcomegroup.com

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.

YOU DON’T FART ABOUT THE PRICES AT STUDIESKOLEN

[ Prutte ( farting ) is a strange Danish saying for haggling over the price ] Learn Danish – or improve your Danish – quickly and efficiently at Studieskolen.

No, it´s not free, and it’s not negotiable, but we´ll guarantee the highest

quality Danish lessons in an international study environment in the centre

of Copenhagen. Find out more about our new courses every six weeks for beginners, intermediate or advanced learners at studieskolen.dk.