CPH POST 22 February - 14 March 2019

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NEWS Forget the unfriendliness!

The capital’s great for expats!

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NEWS

The dogs of war When the US whistles, Denmark comes running

PRO-NOUNS OR AGAINST

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Employees fear refugee exodus

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HISTORY Falck’s dodging flak, but it hasn’t always been this bad

18 EVENTS

Marching to their beat Compelling theatre and spring festivals dominating the schedule

16, 21 & 22

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NEW POLICY that the government is expected to reveal on February 21 has been described as a ‘paradigm shift’ in the way refugees will be treated.

Businesses are not impressed, as around 8,700 employees will end up on a list for deportation to their home countries, reports Mandag Morgen.

Hotels, restaurants, cleaning companies, and the social and health sectors will be the worst affected, with hotel concern Horesta claiming the sector already lacks 3,500 employees – ahead of the expected exodus.

However, the immigration and integration minister, Inger Støjberg, was unmoved, arguing the refugees should only remain in Denmark “as long as there is a need for protection”.

Comings and goings DANMARKS Statistik has confirmed that 68,645 people (70 percent foreigners) emigrated from Denmark in 2018 – a 9 percent increase on 2017.

America led the exodus with 4,053 people, followed by Poland, Romania, Germany, India, Lithuania, China, Italy, Norway and Britain.

Some 87,329 people moved to Denmark last year (75 percent foreigners) – a decrease of 3 percent compared to 2017.

Romania topped the figures with 5,721, followed by Poland, the US, Germany, India, Lithuania, Ukraine, Italy, the UK and China.

The Immigration Ministry has confirmed that 3,500 asylum-seekers were admitted last year – similar compared to 2017. (SG)

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Getting less intelligent?

Stork brings spring vibes

EXPERTS cannot agree on whether a steady decline in the national service intelligence test results proves that people are becoming more stupid. Some blame digitalisation, and even eugenics, while others claim the test is outdated and more geared to 20th century ways of thinking. The test has been largely unchanged since 1957.

DENMARK’S first stork of the year was spotted on February 17 near Aakirkeby on Bornholm – “an extremely early arrival” according to stork advocacy organisation Storkene.dk. It is believed the bird has flown in from Spain, Portugal or north Africa. Normally, storks arrive in early April, although last year the first sighting was on February 25.

So our cuisine is crap?

Foreign specialist rise

DENMARK has landed 35 stars in this year’s Nordic Michelin Guide 2019, with the new Noma matching its predecessor’s haul of two. Geranium remains the only eatery with three. All this somewhat bucks the findings of the recent 2019 Best Countries Rankings, which gave Denmark 0.5/10 for cuisine – oh, and just 0.8 in the category ‘Sexy’.

THE NUMBER of foreign specialists at Danish hospitals is exploding. Between 2000 and 2015, the number with foreign qualifications rose from 156 to 1,509, and at six of the country’s hospitals there is at least one department where foreign doctors form a majority.

Some have voiced fears that this could lead to miscommunication and incorrect diagnoses.

INSIDE OUR NEXT ISSUE, OUT 14 MARCH!

Diplomacy

A CPH POST SPECIAL

DIPLOMACY AND ST PATRICK'S DAY SUPPLEMENTS!

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NEWS

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

22 February - 14 March 2019

Most liveable for Euro expats

ONLINE THIS WEEK Jewish rethink urged

CHRISTIAN WENANDE

C

OPENHAGEN has been named the most liveable city in the world for European expats by consultancy outfit ECA International – or at least tied for first place with the Swiss capital Bern.

The Hague, Geneva, Stavanger, Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Basel, Luxembourg City, Gothenburg and Dublin completed the top ten, with Aarhus joint 12th.

Beat it! Or maybe not RØDOVRE Centrum has backed down from its decision to withdraw a waxwork of Michael Jackson from public display. Initially, many complained in light of the documentary ‘Leaving Neverland’, which accuses the dead star of abusing children, but even more took issue with the withdrawal, prompting the mall into a u-turn.

Toronto best outside ECA INTERNATIONAL commended the top ten’s “excellent

The capital is finally being championed as an expat oasis

infrastructure, reliable transport systems, and high level of healthcare”.

The most liveable non-European country for European

expats was Toronto, while Australian and New Zealand cities also scored well. The only Asian city to make the top 100 was Singapore.

COPENHAGEN MUNICIPALITY

Government unveils more plans to boost job and residency numbers

F

OLLOWING a period of focus on the rural areas of Denmark, the government has unveiled over 100 initiatives to provide the capital region with a boost looking ahead to 2030.

Aside from the massive artificial islands – in Avedøre for the business sector and the Lynetteholmen residential area off Amager – the government is also eyeing new motorways, business buildings and green areas.

Complete basket case A NEW BASKETBALL court at Nuuks Plads in Nørrebro has been roundly criticised for having no court markings (such as a three-point line), roof netting that makes long shots virtually impossible, and a round playing area with four baskets.

50,000 more homes INITIATIVES include a precursory investigation of the possibility

of a new motorway that stretches 60 km from Køge to the Frederikssund Motorway, more green areas in Copenhagen totalling over 400 hectares, and expanding the train station at Copenhagen Airport with two new platforms.

TWO MUSEUMS and a horde of volunteers are hopeful they can rebuild Harald Blåtand’s 700-metre bridge at Store Vejleå, which links the municipalities of Albertslund and Høje-Taastrup, by the end of year. The next meet-up to carry on building is on March 12.

Most expensive street LEMCHESVEJ in Hellerup has the highest house prices in Denmark, according to Boliga.dk.

The average price is 12.2 million kroner. Vedbæk in north Zealand laid claim to the second and third most expensive: Immortellevej and Vedbæk Strandvej.

Dudes to close on Saturday DUDES, the Vesterbro Torv-based craft beer and pizza establishment, has confirmed its last day of business will be Saturday February 23. It has invited its patrons – “all dudes and dudettes in our book” – to come and empty the kegs.

Copenhagen tomorrow: the landscape moving with the times

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POLICE have warned that ‘Armani Man’, a suit-selling conman who dupes city revellers into buying cheap copies, is back in Copenhagen. His latest victim was a 60-year-old man from Charlottenlund at a petrol station on Bernstorffsvej, who handed over 2,000 kroner for three jackets.

Viking bridge-building

Transforming capital by 2030

Vegan protest on Strøget A VEGAN march on Saturday on Strøget drew attention to the role meat consumption plays in climate change. Placards proclaimed “Dine madvaner, min død” (your eating habits, my death) and a coffin was dedicated to the “ukendte dyr” (unknown animals) who have died in the service of humankind.

‘Armani Man’ at large VISIT COPENHAGEN

Copenhagen tops list alongside Swiss capital

SOME POLICE officials think other precautionary measures should be used to guard the capital’s Jewish institutions, which don’t require as much man-power. Physical barriers, bombproof glass and better surveillance have been suggested. Over a million man hours have been used by the police since 2015 at a cost of around 250 million kroner.

ONLINE THIS WEEK

According to the government, the new plans will provide 50,000 jobs and probably just as many homes to the capital, as it seeks to house 200,000 more residents. (CW)

Better food at zoo COPENHAGEN Zoo is investing 5.5 million kroner in improving the standard of its restaurants, cafes and conference facilities. Among the new eateries will be an Asiatic-French bistro.

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22 February - 14 March 2019

Metro postponement a possibility GHENT

Operating company concedes July might come too soon due to labour shortages

www.cis.dk

M

ETROSELSKABET, the company responsible for completing Copenhagen’s new Metro City Ring, which is scheduled to open in July, has conceded there could be further delays due to a shortage of labour at the sites.

Once the City Ring is completed, work will start on a new line from Nordhavn that is planned to be ready by 2020, and in mid-2024 a Sydhavn line will open.

Recently it emerged that a number of mayors are backing plans for a new line to link Rødovre and Hvidovre to the Metro, with stations proposed at Grøntorvet, Vigerslev Centre, Hvidovrevej, Hvidovre Hospital, Rødovre Station and Rødovre Centre.

Slowly taking over ... slowly

A bridge farewell REGARDLESS of Metroselskabet’s fears, most of the work is on schedule, and in

January the temporary bridge, which has stretched across Sortedam Lake in Østerbro since 2012, was removed.

Locals in Østerbro were initially aghast about the building site in the lake, but quickly warmed to a temporary bridge that better connected the local communities. A petition failed to save it.

Meanwhile, at the nearby Trianglen Station, researchers have discovered traces of a previously unknown interglacial period in Denmark. By analysing amino acids, researchers have established that the period existed some 200,000 years ago. (CPH POST)

Fehmarn approval

Left’s fuel pledge

THE SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN local government has officially approved the construction of the Fehmarn transport link between Germany and Denmark.

Objections can still be raised in Germany, but the approval will be greeted with immense relief by the constructors, as the project looked like it could be seriously delayed at one point last year.

THREE opposition parties – Enhedslisten, Alternativet and SF – want to raise petrol and diesel prices by around 20 percent. However, neither Socialdemokratiet nor Radikale are on board. In related news, the premium paid out for scrapping pre-2006 diesel cars rose to 5,000 kroner on February 1 after the state put an extra 100 million kroner in the kitty.

Uni gets satellite

The Swedes are coming

AARHUS University has a satellite in space. The Delphini-1, which was launched from the ISS international space station, is now orbiting Earth at a height of around 400 km. Students have a 10-minute window four times a day in which to make contact. The satellite is expected to remain in orbit for around a year.

SWEDISH rail operator SJ has announced 7.5 billion kroner plans to operate services between Copenhagen and Odense, and later to Aarhus. SJ, which has enjoyed a 5-7 percent increase in passenger numbers in contrast to a fall in DSB’s numbers, plans to present its plans to the Swedish Parliament next week.

Not so smart after all

Ferry hopes raised

MOVIA has conceded it was a mistake to remove printed timetables from its bus stops in December after a survey revealed 70 percent of passengers wanted more digital information. Readers of the newspaper BT called the decision ‘stupid’, as many older passengers don’t have smartphones.

The matter will be addressed at the next Movia board meeting.

THE PETITION to reopen the Esbjerg-Harwich ferry line, which was closed by DFDS in 2014 following a large fall in passengers from 300,000 a year at its peak to 80,000, has now got over 11,000 online signatories. In the event of a No-Deal Brexit, advocates argue that the return of duty-free travel would increase passenger numbers.

Magicians aren’t magic, our teachers are Aha moments – that’s what our teachers create every day. Just ask our students. They all have stories to share: about individual attention, about being challenged academically and about teachers going the extra mile.

At CIS we are fortunate to have the means to recruit the best. From Pre-K to grade 12, our teachers are all very skilled, experienced and committed to their students: They could teach anywhere in the world, and they chose CIS. We are proud of that because a school is defined by its teachers, and those magical moments of learning that make a good school great. To learn more please visit cis.dk

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THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

22 February - 14 March 2019

Him, Her and Zim: Pronoun usage a hot topic at universities CALLUM THOMAS

S

TUDENTS have brought US-style social justice debates to the University of Copenhagen (KU).

Biology’s hot potato WHEN DEAN Jacobsen, an associate professor of biology at KU, said he was compelled to change his usage of gender pronouns in his teaching, it signalled the arrival of PC culture on campus.

Students advocated for the inclusion of people who don’t fit into the male and female gender binary in teaching. In addition to the pronouns ‘him’ and ‘her’, manufactured pronouns like ‘zim’ are increasingly being used to indicate gender neutrality.

Following a discussion with students, Jacobsen said he would check his methods in order to accommodate students who felt he should not use examples of men and women in his teaching. But he feels this means a compromise of his own beliefs.

insulting anyone, obviously. It encourages me to think more about the way I teach, but I also think it’s absurd,” Jacobsen told Jyllands-Posten newspaper.

“Am I now not permitted to refer to people as ‘he’ or ‘she’ then?”

Echoes in Lund THE COMPLEXITY of this debate means official guidance is not definitive, as Germund Hesslow found out at Lund University in southern Sweden when he came under investigation for transphobia.

Hesslow lectures in neurophysiology and was asked to “distance” himself from the idea that there are biological differences between men and women.

Jan 2017: Trans people were removed from the list of psychiatric diagnoses, but their treatment remained at the Sexology Clinic

Why ‘zim’?

GENDER pronouns are the gateway to a larger gender binary debate with significant social and legal ramifications.

May Simón Lifschitz, a Danish transgender model, told Copenhagen Fashion Week that highlighting gender nonbinariness can promote social acceptance.

“Like any other revolutionary thought, I guess, gender fluidity needs to be overexposed before it can be integrated as something natural,” Lifschitz said.

The legal recognition of a third gender allows for greater self-determination in the trans community, explained Riley, a Swiss agender person speaking to Vox Media.

“For everything about you or your body, you have to wait for a doctor’s approval. Document changes, hormone replacement therapy etc takes a lot of time, energy and money for what is mostly just waiting where some stranger has more rights about your body than you do,” ze said.

Feb 2019: Adult members of the trans community can seek treatment at the newly-created Center for Gender Identity (CKI) at Rigshospitalet

Legal gender in Denmark IN DANISH law, legal gender remains binary – male or female – and no other status is recognised. For non-binary people to

No intention to insult “I DON’T have any interest in

Trans rights in Denmark: Pre-2017: All trans health matters were referred to the Sexology Clinic in the capital region. The trans community fiercely criticised this as an inappropriate system for processing trans people

FLICKR/SASASTRO

Recent cases in Copenhagen and Lund suggest the issue has crossed the Atlantic and is here to stay

Key terminology:

Increasingly more visible

gain recognition there may need to be a favourable answer to the question of whether gender identity is rooted in biological fact.

Because while conservatives often claim that gender is a purely psychological phenomenon, trans advocates argue that gender is a biologically constitutive part of sex.

Elsewhere in Europe ON JANUARY 1, Germany became the first European Uni-

Milestone moments: 2014: Denmark passed a law allowing individuals the right to change their official gender. But legal gender remains binary and only transsexual people without a legal gender change can obtain an ‘X gender’ marker in their passport January 1: Germany became the first country in the EU to offer a ‘third gender’ option on birth certificates Last week: five major airlines in the US confirmed to USA Today that they plan to offer a non-binary option

-on country to legally recognise a third gender.

Lynn D, a German intersex person, told CNN he hopes this will help society understand non-binary people better and to not fear them.

Student advocacy LEGAL changes may be slow, but students are stepping up to the task of social change.

“I think there is generally greater awareness among the students in terms of looking out for one another. There has been a general shift in society in recent years regarding people becoming more aware of each other’s differences and making room for one another,” Amanda Büchert, a spokesperson for the student council at KU, told Jyllands-Posten.

Clear answers sought THE organisation that will be asking many of the important questions is Copenhagen’s student LGBT organisation, BLUS. Perhaps soon there will be a clear answer to the question of whether a member of a faculty could be punished for failing to use other pronouns.

Binary – a classification of people as either male or female Non-binary – people who feel their gender identity is neither male nor female Genderfluid – people who remain flexible about how they identify, or can even express multiple genders at once Intersex – people who have reproductive anatomy that does not fit into the male and female binaries Misgendering – addressing someone with terms that do not reflect their gender, such as by using different pronouns.

Contentious debates surround what should happen if someone misgenders and whether this should be strictly punishable Deadnaming – using a trans person’s forename from before their transition. Whilst it is considered transphobic, strict boundaries have yet to be found.

Ricky Gervais, for example, often refers to Caitlyn Jenner by her former name Bruce Gender – is it a biologically constitutive part of sex: that is, whether it forms a vital biological element of sex. This debate is crucial to the future legal status of people who identify as non-binary because it concerns whether their gender status will be formally recognised by the state

NEWS

22 February - 14 March 2019

ONLINE THIS WEEK US AMBASSADOR Carla Sands has criticised Denmark’s pledge to be spending 1.5 percent of GDP on defence by 2023 – an increase from 1.3 percent today – saying it is not enough. She argues that Denmark should aim for the 2 percent outlined by Donald Trump.

By 2024, the increase will have resulted in Denmark spending an extra 4.5 billion kroner.

Top cybersecurity nation DENMARK has the fourth best cybersecurity in the world, according to a survey of 60 countries by comparitech.com. Denmark topped the rankings for having the lowest percentage of computer malware infections – just 5.9 percent of users. However, it could be better prepared for attacks and its legislation could be more up-to-date.

Witness gets six years THE FOREIGN minister, Anders Samuelsen, has been urged to raise the case of Dennis Christensen, the Jehovah’s Witness sentenced to six years in Russia for following a religion now classified as extremism, with the relevant authorities.

Christensen, 46, who has spent the previous 11 months imprisoned at a detention centre, has appealed.

Least corrupt in world DENMARK is again the least corrupt country in the world, according to Transparency International’s index. New Zealand, Finland, Singapore, Sweden and Switzerland completed the top six.

Denmark was praised for exporting minimal corruption overseas.

However, the Danske Bank scandal was not taken into account.

Dane lands top UN posting THE DANISH economist Inger Andersen has been appointed the head of UN Environment, the leading UN authority concerning the environment and the sustainable utilisation of global resources. Andersen will replace Erik Solheim, the Norwegian diplomat and former politician who resigned from the position in late 2018.

ONLINE THIS WEEK FORSVARET

Not good enough

US and us: wardogs and lapdogs Denmark tends to answer the bell when the US comes calling for military backing, long-awaited war investigation concludes CHRISTIAN WENANDE

T

HE LONG-AWAITED investigation into Denmark’s participation in wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo has finally come to a conclusion following the publication of a report looking into Danish efforts in conflicts from 1993-2004.

The report, which the redbloc government launched in 2011 to uncover the political decisions that led to Danish participation in the three wars, found that Denmark tends to answer the bell when the US comes calling.

“Denmark’s military engagement generally reflects the political decision-makers’ desire to accommodate US wishes regarding military contribution.

Denmark’s specific contributions to military operations are formed, rather than decided, by central ministers, officials and representatives from Danish Defence in dialogue with allies – mostly the US,” the report found.

“The government has a minimalist practice of information when working with the Foreign Affairs Committee. Typically, the government consults with the Foreign Affairs Committee late in the process.”

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You can’t dispute that the royal trips have got livelier

Watered down THE INVESTIGATION was discontinued by the current blue-bloc government in 2015, just before key individuals – such as former PM Anders Fogh Rasmussen and the former foreign minister, Per Stig Møller – were to be interviewed.

Following the release of the report, Fogh Rasmussen rejected the notion that his government had acted wrongly, while Møller has admitted that mistakes were made back then.

A year later, intense criticism forced the government to enter into a compromise with Parliament that led to the investigation continuing, but with a smaller scope that didn’t involve taking a stance regarding the legality of the Danish participation in the conflicts.

Two researchers, a historian and a political scientist are behind the investigation, which was conducted in order to ensure a true and fair description to help learn from the past – but not point fingers at anyone or assess blame.

The researchers found that Denmark tends to join the US in conflicts, not in duress or due to promises of reward, but rather when the Danes ‘sense’ developments abroad and align themselves to the arena in which the US typically stands.

Minister warns Russia

Morocco tightens security

Praise for borderland

THE FOREIGN minister, Anders Samuelsen, has warned Russia that new EU sanctions could be on the horizon if the country doesn’t free the 24 Ukrainian sailors detained since late November. In other news, Denmark has officially backed Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó, who appointed himself the new interim president following a coup attempt on January 10.

MOROCCO has stepped up its mountain security following the murders of two Scandinavian backpackers, including increased registration and curfew adherence.

In other crime news, a 19-yearold Danish woman was robbed at knifepoint in the Maltese town of Triq il-Rebha in January, and the trial of Peter Nielsen, the Dane accused of murdering his Nigerian family, is still ongoing.

METTE Bock, the culture minister, has nominated the peaceful co-existence on the Danish-German border for UNESCO recognition. If selected, it will be honoured on the UNESCO register for good security practices – a fitting way to mark the 100th anniversary of the 1919 referendum in which the people of Northern Schleswig voted to become part of Denmark again.

Allies over strategy THE RESEARCHERS found that Denmark was quick to show solidarity with the US in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks – a decision that would prove paramount to the Danes joining the US in Afghanistan.

The Iraq situation, spearheaded

by Fogh Rasmussen, was similar.

The researchers questioned whether Denmark’s military contributions to the three conflicts were driven by alliances rather than humanitarian concerns.

Moreover, they suggested that Denmark’s military engagement is less influenced by strategic choices and long-term analyses.

The three conflicts ended up costing the lives of over 50 Danish soldiers: 43 in Afghanistan, eight in Iraq and one in Kosovo.

In favour of foreign aid SOME 57 percent of Danes support foreign aid, according to ‘Hjælp til selvhjælp’, a report compiled by Advice for the Foreign Ministry. Some 55 percent believe it is a moral obligation, but 39 percent suspect the aid often gets misappropriated. The majority vastly over-estimate the numbers of poor people in the world and refugees coming to Europe.

Bookseller’s appeal fails THE EUROPEAN Court of Human Rights has dismissed an appeal

by Said Mansour, the ‘Bookseller from Brønshøj’, against his expulsion from Denmark on January 4 following a Danish Supreme Court judgment. Mansour, 58, argued that he risked being tortured in Morocco and that the judgment infringed his freedom of expression.

Vestager praised THE EU Competition Commissioner, Margrethe Vestager, has been named by Foreign Policy magazine as the third top global thinker of the past decade. Meanwhile, Vestager has ruled against a proposed merger of the rail mobility businesses of German company Siemens and French outfit Alstom, reasoning it would hurt competition in the European train industry.

Feta and fish failings THE EU Commission has dispatched a stern double warning to Denmark concerning perceived breaches in its fishing and food sectors. The EU contends that Denmark is failing in its obligations to correctly register the fish it catches. And Denmark is accused of not doing enough to stop home-based dairy companies from exporting white cheese labelled ‘feta’.

Young count dies A DANISH count, Frederik Moltke, died in a skiing accident in Japan on January 23. Just 27, Moltke was the owner of Bregentved, Denmark’s biggest manor estate. Encompassing 6,555 hectares it is worth around 950 million kroner. Moltke lived and worked in the UK.

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NEWS

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

ONLINE THIS WEEK SØREN Espersen, the DF foreign affairs spokesperson, regrets the decision to invade Iraq and topple Saddam Hussein. “We should have never ousted Saddam Hussein,” he told P1 radio program Slotsholmen. “Secular leaders like him, Gadaffi in Libya and Mubarak in Egypt stabilised the Middle East, and we helped topple them and create this current chaos.”

No new opening hours THE GOVERNMENT has failed to permit 24/7 shopping on 360 days of the year. The likes of Socialdemokratiet and Dansk Folkeparti opposed the plans, arguing it would make it harder for store workers to enjoy time off, and that the current rules enable smaller shops to open on the holidays and prosper.

No SoMe effect A PHD STUDY of Danish and Italian teenagers by Lene Rotne carried out in collaboration with the University of Copenhagen and Dansk Sprognævn concludes that the relaxed language that young Danes use to communicate on social media is not detrimental to their level of written Danish. Danes made more errors on the platforms, but not in other correspondence.

New LGBT policy COPENHAGEN is set to become the first city in Denmark to usher in policy specifically designated to the LGBT community. The policy, ‘En ligeværdig del af fællesskabet’ (‘An equal part of the community’), includes initiatives such as more unisex toilets in the public space, anti-bullying strategies and preventing loneliness among LGBT elderly.

Venstre behind in polls THE BLUE bloc have 44.4 percent of the votes, according to a Megafon poll for TV2, with Socialdemokratiet a red-hot favourite to win the general election this spring. In fact, S could form a government without the support of its ally Alternativet, such is its dominance.

Tourism explosion a boon for Tivoli PIXABAY

Søren sad about Saddam

22 February - 14 March 2019

Jelling is less happy though, with its famous stones in danger of occupying a mudbath

I

NCOME from foreign tourists in 2017 amounted to 54.3 billion kroner – an increase of more than 42 percent since 2010 as visitor numbers grew by 27 percent, according to figures from Danmarks Statistik reported by DI Business.

Tivoli income soaring ONE OF Denmark’s major tourist attractions, Tivoli Gardens, has seen its annual revenue rise by more than 300 million kroner since 2010 to just under 1.3 billion in 2017.

That year also saw a record number of foreign visitors at the gardens – 39 percent of the total.

Overnight stay records DENMARK has accordingly set a new record for overnight stays by foreign tourists for the fifth year in a row. In total there were 27.4 million in 2018.

The previous record for Danish and foreign overnight stays from 1993 has also been broken – a total of 53.8 million.

Swedes accounted for the most overnight hotel stays by foreigners in Denmark last year with 958,000, followed by Norwegians (871), Brits (692), Germans (687), Americans (682), Italians (278), Dutch (234), Chinese (213), French (206) and Spanish (202).

ONLINE THIS WEEK Climate bill to be heard A PEOPLE’S bill concerning climate policy has attracted the necessary 50,000 signatures to be heard by Parliament. The Det Økologiske Råd-backed bill, which proposes legislation to ensure Denmark increases its contribution to attaining the goals set out in the Paris Agreement, is the fifth to gain enough support to be heard by MPs.

Kids swearing more

Tivoli, Jelling ... what’s in Aalborg again?

are having a dire effect at the UNESCO-listed village of Jelling, where thousands flock to see the two burial mounds that bear the famous rune-inscribed stones – which are often described as ‘Denmark’s birth certificate’.

The tourists seem unable or unwilling to confine themselves to walking up a set of steps provided in order to reach the top, choosing a route where the grass has been completely worn away.

“It looks like the entrance to a cow stable in front of the steps,” Charlotta Lindblom, the curator of archaeology at Vejle Museum, told Finans.

first city in Denmark to enter into a co-operation with the housing rental portal Airbnb in a bid to double the number of its visitors to 2 million by 2025.

Last year, 61,500 guests were accommodated in Aarhus via Airbnb, staying an average of 3.5 nights. But the new partnership allows the around 4,000 local Airbnb hosts to be considered Aarhus ‘ambassadors’, and meetings involving the ambassadors have already taken place.

Aalborg is also getting in on the act, as tourism organisation Wonderful Copenhagen is teaming up with Copenhagen Airport and Aalborg Airport to encourage more Chinese tourists to fly to the north Jutland city.

(CPH POST)

Jelling Stone dilemma BUT THE heavy numbers

Exploring the north AMONG the Danish cities enjoying the tourism boom is Aarhus, which has become the

Father raped daughter

Editor avoids prison

Insurance fraud rise

THE STORY of a Danish man who claims he accidentally had sexual intercourse with his 20-yearold daughter on his wedding night in Kolding on August 19, apparently because he mistook her for his new wife, has been picked up by a wide range of international tabloids. The father has since been convicted of rape and sent to prison for two and a half years.

CHRISTIAN Jensen, the editor-in-chief of Politiken, has escaped a prison sentence for publishing a book written by former PET head Jakob Scharf just days after the intelligence agency took out an injunction to prevent its sale. He was fined 50,000 kroner, and Politiken a further 100,000 kroner – one hundredth of what the court wanted.

IN 2018, the insurer Tryg uncovered bogus claims totalling 120 million kroner – an increase of 70 percent on 2015. Insurers are spending more on investigating claims. Tryg hires several ex-police officers to combat fraud. In one case, a man cut several of his fingers off, while another man amputated a leg on the railtrack in a bid to claim 12 million kroner.

SOME 67 percent of Danes contend that kids swear more than a decade ago, according to a Megafon poll for TV2. Teachers report that kids as young as six are more aggressive and often use English swear words to abuse one another, as well as adults. Educators blame parents, video games, films and YouTube.

His soul died long before THE FORMER pedagogue Malthe Thomsen, who was falsely accused of sexually violating 13 children at a Manhattan kindergarten in June 2014 and imprisoned for months, has died – reportedly of a blood clot to the heart. He was just 27 years old. His mother told DR that the episode destroyed his soul.

Thomsen was studying at the European Film College in Ebeltoft.

Pen to detect spiked drinks DRUGSTER has developed a pen-sized scanner that can analyse a drink in 2-5 seconds to check if it has been spiked. Since 2010, the number of suspected spikings has risen from 45 to 190 a year. When commercially available, the pen is expected to cost around 1,000 kroner.

No trinkets taken OVER THE 37 months since the enactment of the controversial Jewellery Act – which gave the authorities the right to seize assets from asylum-seekers above a certain value – the police have cited the law just ten times, taking a total of 186,800 kroner and a car. However, on no occasion did they take any jewellery.

NEWS

22 February - 14 March 2019

ONLINE THIS WEEK A THREE-YEAR, 30.6 million kroner pilot project has begun in which drones will be used to transport blood samples and medical equipment between hospitals in Odense, Svendborg and Ærø – in airspace over the national drone test centre at HCA Airport. It is estimated drone usage can save the health service 200 million kroner a year.

Poor young hedgehogs JUST 0.4 percent of Danish hedgehogs reach the age of eight – a reasonable age to die of natural causes – according to a new study. In other animal news, a rare black rhino has been born at Ree Park Safari; 45 illegal venomous snakes have been impounded in Zealand; and the authorities have stepped up their battle against the self-fertilising, plague-carrying marbled crayfish.

Grow your own walls THE AARHUS engineering firm Søren Jensen is developing technology that can grow partition walls out of kitchen waste combined with fungus. The fungus creates a root network that sucks substances out of the rubbish and leaves a material that can be formed and pressed – for example into acoustic tiles or lightweight walls.

Agriculture failing THE AGRICULTURE sector has failed in its 2015 pledge to reduce nitrate quantities. As part of an agriculture package four years ago, the sector promised to reduce its use of nitrates – a major constituent in fertilisers – by 1,451 tonnes, but so far it has only managed 12.

Weil’s and Legionnaires’ numbers are soaring, but who knows: maybe you’ve already got a hole in the heart?

Methane threat in ice PIXABAY

Hospital drone project

Ill at ease in the land of disease

S

OME 55,232 PEOPLE died in Denmark in 2018 – the highest numbers since 2007 according to Danmarks Statistik, which attributed the rise to a particularly virulent flu epidemic and an unusually warm summer.

As a result, the nation’s life expectancy (79 for men and 82.9 for women) failed to increase for the first time since 1994.

However, the number of elderly people is increasing, with 159,926 women and 103,820 men surpassing the age of 80 in January 2019 – 4.5 percent of the population.

Despite that shortfall, men are leading the charge. The number of men reaching their 90s has grown by 40.2 percent over the last decade, compared to a 17 percent rise among women.

Better prepared!

THIS YEAR’S flu season isn’t expected to be as deadly – last year’s was exacerbated by the national health service issuing the wrong vaccine – but it has most certainly arrived.

The number of calls to the 1813 hotline doubled during the first week of February, although the authorities are certain the public are better vaccinated this year.

7

GLOBAL warming is in danger of melting the Arctic permafrost and releasing methane, reports Videnskab.dk. Methane is produced near the surface, but there are also deep underground reserves. As it has gotten warmer, the gas has started bubbling up through the tundra and lakes and into the atmosphere.

CO2 going underground Take precautions to avoid an early visit to the cemetery

under the age of 40 protected.

However, two adult Danes recently contracted the disease on a skiing holiday in the Val Thorens area of the French Alps – and the authorities are advising Danes travelling there to get vaccinated.

All Weil’s that ends badly WEIL’S disease, in contrast, is thriving. Over the last two years, there have been 42 cases of Weil’s disease – an infection caused by close contact with infected animals or rodents – compared to a normal average of 10 cases per year.

The symptoms vary from mild flu to more serious infections such as blood poisoning and high fever that can cause liver failure or meningitis and, ultimately, death.

Fatalities are, however, rare.

Experts speculate that a combination of climate change, increasing rat populations and flooded sewers might be to blame. Most of the cases have been recorded in Copenhagen.

the rate is much higher than the European average.

In 2017, there were 13 cases reported in north Jutland, 65 in southern Denmark, 43 in the capital region, 33 in Zealand and 56 in mid-Jutland.

The bacteria tends to thrive in warm freshwater at temperatures between 20 and 50 degrees, and homeowners are advised to check that their cold water is below 20 degrees and their warm water above 55 degrees.

Wholly worrying BUT IF a disease doesn’t get you, maybe the cause will be innate. It is estimated that a quarter of the population are born with a congenital birth defect, which we tend to refer to as a hole in the heart.

The condition typically refers to an opening in one of the walls separating the chambers of the heart, but the hole is normally closed in most cases, shortly after birth.

Blood clots are a good indicator that somebody might have a hole in the heart, which can be closed with a simple, painless operation performed under local anesthetic.

(CPH POST)

GEOLOGISTS are researching a way to tackle climate change by pumping CO2 into the underground and thus preventing it from building up in the atmosphere.

Last year, the government set aside 100 million kroner for researching the technique. The researchers contend the underground can store the equivalent of 500 years of Danish CO2 emissions.

A gift from Odin DURING renovation work at a building in Viborg, construction workers discovered seven unopened, 113-year-old bottles of beer from Odin Brewery under some old floorboards. With the beers was a note written by the head brewer of Odin at the time, CE Pehrsson, explaining that the beers are for posterity.

Odin Brewery closed in 1988.

Youth constipation rife ACCORDING to figures compiled by Kolding Hospital, every fifth child between the ages of four and 18 will be treated for constipation at some time. Treatment delays, the study found, tend to result in longer treatment periods.

Experts speculate that children get constipated because they put off going to the toilet – for example whilst playing a computer game.

Two get measles MANY ADULTS aren’t vaccinated for measles, but with virtually zero cases, it has never been a priority given the number of people

Legions of cases NOBODY can explain why more people are contracting the dreaded lung infection Legionnaires’ disease. Numbers doubled in 2017 and 2018, and

Choose nuclear option!

New doctor app

Fatty food not all bad

New DMI site a slog

Medical cannabis popular

A SWEDISH energy expert has advised Denmark to take over the running of two nuclear reactors at Ringhals, just outside Gothenburg.

UC Berkeley doctor Staffan Qvist contends that the reactors, which are due to be decommissioned, would be capable of making Denmark’s entire energy production CO2-neutral within two years – and cheaply too.

A NEW government-sanctioned app, ‘Min Læge’ (‘My Doctor’), provides patients with direct access to their doctors via their mobile phones. Launched as part of the government’s 2018 digital health strategy, the app permits users to see information such as their health info, GP opening hours, future appointments and vaccinations.

It is applicable to almost everyone.

FATTY foods are not as hazardous as previously thought, according to a study of 18 healthy but slightly overweight men by the University of Copenhagen. A six-week diet, in which 64 percent of the calorie intake came from saturated fats, yielded no negative consequences.

In related news, whole-grain diets help prevent diabetes, according to a six-year DTU study.

DMI, THE national weather forecaster, has launched a new website and the focus is very much on the weather today. So while it has become easier to check whether it will be raining at 15:00, considerably more clicks are required to get a forecast for the weekend.

Recent weather has been described as autumnal – unusually warm and sunny for February.

AROUND 1,400 patients requested medicinal cannabis during the first 12 months of its four-year pilot project – far more than the 500 predicted. The health minister, Ellen Trane Nørby, said it represented “a really good first year”. However, the Danish College of GPs was sceptical, cautioning that some doctors don’t have the requisite knowledge to prescribe the drug.

8

CULTURE

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

Mairead

Party Time

Down to Earth

DOCUMENTARY

THEATRE

FILIP ORESTES

ART

The Lover MOSHE PRIDAN

THEATRE

Cold Case Hammarskjöld FAABORG MUSEUM

HASSE FERROLD

ALEKSANDAR S MASTILO

THEATRE

22 February - 14 March 2019

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IN THE likely event you ‘mai read’ only one sentence of this review, it will probably be the first, so let’s cut to the chase: ‘Mairead’ was the best English-language theatre production I’ve seen in Copenhagen. Serbian playwright Tanja Mastilo’s third play for Why Not Theatre Company made its worldwide debut at Teatret Ved Sorte Hest last week, and if there’s any justice in this shallow, clickbait-seeking, nepotistic world we live in, it will soon be performed to audiences the world over. It was as brilliantly perplexing as any episode of ‘Black Mirror’. (BH)

EXPLORING the subjects of torture, injustice, interrogation and social oppression, ‘Party Time’ has been called the play in which Harold Pinter finally constructed a bridge between his dramatic world and the world of his political conscience. Down the Rabbit Hole has seen fit to rethink the play in light of current cultural movements such as #TimesUp, and its production blurs the line between actors and audience in a way I shan’t reveal. The result is a surprisingly affecting and visceral watch – impressive given the modest budget. (Kasper Guldberg)

SINCE the agricultural and industrial revolutions, man’s impact on the landscape has been a subject of interest to artists.

So it seems extremely apposite in these days of global warming and climate change that we should re-examine the changes humankind has wrought on their natural surroundings from an artistic perspective. This new exhibition at the Hirschsprung Collection attempts to do just that, and overall it provides a welcome artistic impetus to a debate that has mostly been conducted in the political and economic arenas. (SG)

THE IRREALITY is only partially the fault of the tricky, dry-humoured Danish director Mads Brügger, who at times gives the viewer a distinct impression they are watching a mystery thriller. In its second half, Cold Case takes several sharp turns with a series of revelations – just when Brügger claims to have lost all hope of further progress – as the story evolves from curious intrigue to sheer disbelief. If its most conspiratory details are true, it could prove to be a startling discovery of warped foreign policy towards post-colonial Africa. (Callum Thomas)

IT’S CLEAR that had the text of Harold Pinter’s ‘The Lover’ – ostensibly a one-act exploration of marital infidelity – been played as it was originally intended, the sexual politics are now so antiquated that their expression risked a contextual quaintness, losing any bite or relevance to a contemporary theatre audience. So director Jeremy Thomas-Poulsen needn’t have warned the audience that the group had gender-swapped the leads. Despite any concerns of gimmickry, the decision bore fruit almost immediately. (Mark Walker)

Joy as order is restored

Warmth for chilly Mads

Scoundrels on film

All’s well for Malcolm

DENMARK has won the prestigious Bocuse d’Or championship in Lyon – the unofficial world cup for chefs. A team led

by Kenneth Toft-Hansen and coached by Rasmus Kofoed – the last Dane to take the title, back in 2011 – triumphed with two courses they were given 335 minutes to prepare.

NEW ORDER will perform at NorthSide on June 7. In related news, Roskilde has added Cardi B, Cypress Hill, Bring Me the Horizon and MØ to its line-up; and dates have been confirmed for Mariah Carey (Aalborghallen, June 4), Brad Paisley (Royal Arena, Oct 5) and comedian Aziz Ansari (DR Koncerthuset, April 9 – a second date to meet high demand).

THANKS to starring roles in new releases ‘Arctic’ and ‘Polar’, Mads Mikkelsen has risen to seventh on the IMDB Starmeter rankings, a list that reflects how often actors turn up in searches. In related news, big brother Lars’s stock is climbing in the UK where his series ‘Herrens Veje’ (‘Ride Upon the Storm’) has finally made its debut – on Channel 4.

A FILM about Daniel Rye, the photographer who spent 398 days as a captive of Islamic State in 2013, is currently being shot on location in the Middle East.

In other film news, a May release date has been confirmed for ‘The Hustle’, a gender-swap remake of the 1988 film ‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’, in which ‘Klovn’ star Casper Christensen has a role.

‘MALCOLM is a Little Unwell’, a new documentary from Malcolm Brabant – a Copenhagen-based British journalist known as ‘King of the Stringers’ within media circles – has been submitted for inclusion in CPH DOX. Brabant’s personal account deals with the psychosis he endured in 2011 after a yellow fever inoculation turned his life upside down

Weekend in the armchair

Big screen adaptations

Cinema on the rise

Audience pleaser

No longer virginal

A BUSY weekend beckons in the armchair. First of all, the Danish Melodi Grand Prix on Saturday promises to be a two-horse race between Leonora (13/10) and Julie & Nina (6/4). And then Danish-American star Viggo Mortensen, 60, a 25/1 outsider to win his first Best Actor Oscar on Sunday.

IN EXCESS of 18 countries want to translate the Danish dystopian graphic novel ‘Zenobia’. Created by writer Morten Dürr and artist Lars Hornemann in 2016, it tells the story of a girl fleeing the war in Syria. In related news, John Wick creator Derek Kolstad intends to adapt the Danish sci-fi computer game ‘Echo’ for the cinema.

CINEMATEKET, the DFI’s cinema on Gothersgade, welcomed 140,600 guests in 2018 – a 35 percent increase on 2015. Meanwhile, Cinemateket has added branches in Aarhus, Aalborg and Odense.

In related news, the film ‘Ternet Ninja’ has sold more than 800,000 tickets – a figure only reached by 14 other Danish films.

‘DRONNINGEN’ (‘Queen of Hearts’ – out March 28), a new film about a matriarch who seduces her 17-year-old stepson, won the Audience Award at Sundance in January. Meanwhile, Mads Brügger picked up a Sundance award for directing ‘Cold Case Hammarskjöld’ (see review above).

APPLE Gidley has written a follow-up to her 1878 novel Fireburn, which was set during the plantation worker uprising on the Danish island of Saint Croix. ‘Transfer’ coincides with Denmark’s sale of Saint Croix and Saint Thomas to the US. The book is out on March 31, the 102nd anniversary of the sale.

Sad about reaction

Bird Box mayhem

Guilty of seven Roberts

Now it’s available!

Payday for Dirty Jørgen

LUKAS Graham has been criticised for releasing a cover version of ‘SAD!’, a song by dead rapper XXXTentacion. The band apparently did not realise he was routinely violent towards women.

SUSANNE Bier’s latest film ‘Bird Box’ has ruffled the feathers of YouTube, inspiring many home video makers to film themselves doing potentially dangerous activities blindfolded – such as driving a car.

‘DEN SKYLDIGE’ (‘The Guilty’) won seven Roberts in early February, including best film, director and actor. In related news, Isabella Eklöf has won the Carl Theodor Dreyer Prisen for directing ‘Holiday’.

A BETA version of the video game streaming service PlayStation Now has been launched in the four major Nordic countries.

PS4 users will be able to access over 600 games, but not PC users.

FOOTAGE of Andy Warhol eating a burger, which was filmed

by Danish journalist Jørgen Leth, was aired in an advert for Burger King during the Super Bowl transmission. Leth confirmed his pay check was a whopper.

ONLINE THIS WEEK World-class chefs

READ THE REST OF THESE REVIEWS AT CPHPOST.DK

SPORT

22 February - 14 March 2019

ONLINE THIS WEEK

9

Denmark completes sextuple crown

Two NFL hopefuls

FCM and FCK eye glory

Nation the first to win all six major tournaments – men and women

TWO DANES are tipped to play in the NFL next season. Phillip Andersen, 27, has signed a contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after being scouted at a training camp for kickers. And offensive lineman Hjalte Froholdt, 22, has been invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, where the best college players from across the US are invited to showcase their skills in front of NFL teams ahead of the draft in April.

SUPERLIGA contenders FC Copenhagen and FC Midtjylland have been busy in the transfer window. FCK have recruited Guillermo Varela from Penarol and Robert Mudrazija from Osijek, while FCM have netted Evander on a permanent deal, Junior Brumado from Bahia and Patrick from Flamengo on loan. Meanwhile, FCN forward Christian Rasmussen, 16, will join Ajax this summer, and Lukas Lerager has joined Genoa on loan.

D

First slam for Clara

Dead in their 50s

CLARA Tauson, 16, won the junior Australian Open in late January – a win that lifts her to the top of the rankings.

She is the fourth Dane to win a junior grand slam, following Caroline Wozniacki, Kristian Pless and Kurt Nielsen.

However, her form deserted her in her first senior match when she lost to Natalia Vikhlyantseva in the Federation Cup – a tie Russia comfortably won.

FORMER top ref Peter Mikkelsen died on January 30 aged just 58 following a long fight against cancer. He marshalled World Cup and Euros games in the 1990s before retiring in 1998. Meanwhile, Henrik Jørgensen, who won the London Marathon in 1988 and holds the Danish record, has died of a heart attack whilst out running in Bornholm.

He was only 57.

Badminton shock result

Footy bribes common

BADMINTON starlet Anders Antonsen has won his first Super 500 title.

He beat Japanese world number one Kento Momota in the final of the Indonesia Masters. In related news, Danish badminton players have agreed a new collective wage deal with the national association, bringing to an end a lengthy dispute.

HALF OF the football players in the top two tiers have heard of their peers taking under-the-table payments as part of their transfers, according to a TV2 Sport survey. Of the 80 asked, 40 had encountered at least one case in the last two years, with payments generally ranging from 2,000 to 10,000 kroner.

Good luck in Abu Dhabi!

FIFA star peeved

UAE AMBASSADOR Fatema Khamis Al Mazrouei visited the 89 competitors due to represent Denmark at the Special Olympics World Summer Games (March 14-21) at their training camp in Vejen to wish them luck in Abu Dhabi.

AGGE ROSENMEIER was outraged after he wasn’t selected in Denmark’s first eFootball national team. Rosenmeier might be one of the top FIFA players in the world, but the DBU elected to enter the Brøndby team that recently won the inaugural eSport Superliga.

UEFA ExCom seat

So long youngsters

THE HEAD of the Danish football association, Jesper Møller, has won a seat on the UEFA Executive Committee. He was one of seven new members chosen from nine candidates, and he got the fifth-highest number of votes.

NIELS Frederiksen, 48, will step down as head of Denmark’s under-21 football team after the Euro 2019 championship this summer. He has been in charge since 2015 and led Denmark to three straight European Championship finals.

First Dane for 15 years

Historic female transfer

STEFAN Hansen is the new coach of the Danish national swimming team – the first Dane to take the position in 15 years.

The Bundesstützpunkt Berlin coach will assume the reins on April 1.

US PLAYER Nicole Robertson has made history after moving from FC Nordsjælland to B93 in what is believed to be the first transfer of a woman footballer involving money between two Danish clubs.

ENMARK wrote history with their dominant 31-22 win over Norway in the final of the Men’s World Handball Championship in Herning on January 27.

Not only did they win their first world title – at the fourth time of asking after runners-up medals in 1967, 2011 and 2013 – but the win means Denmark are the first ever nation to win all six (men’s and women’s) major international tournaments.

While keeper Niklas Landin was the man of the match, the championship’s top scorer Mikkel Hansen (72 in 10) was the clear player of the tournament.

Bad sportsmanship?

OFF THE court, the Danish fans were equally merciless in their support, booing the Norwegians every time they got the ball, and continuing with their vitriol, even with Denmark ten goals ahead.

The sports commentators and stadium announcers were equally biased – Norwegian left wing Magnus Jøndal was the

game’s top-scorer, but yet his name was barely mentioned by either.

Commentator Harald Bredeli was among many Norwegians incensed by the crowd’s support, vowing not to eat flæskesteg (roast pork with crackling) for a whole year in protest.

But maybe he should blame former national player Lars Rasmussen, who before the game called for a ‘Balkan atmosphere’.

Pancakes and high-fives BUT NOTHING could spoil the party a day later as tens of thousands of fans gathered outside Copenhagen City Hall to salute the players.

As tradition dictates, they appeared on the balcony at around 17:00 for a few minutes before retreating inside to enjoy their much-deserved pancakes.

Meanwhile, in related news, world champion Casper U Mortensen has been named European Player of the Year by the European Handball Federation in recognition of a season in which he was the top scorer in the Bundesliga. He has since joined Barcelona. (CPH POST)

10 BUSINESS

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

ONLINE THIS WEEK

WITH 30,298,531 passengers, Copenhagen Airport was the 15th busiest airport in Europe.

In related news, Aalborg-based Great Dane Airlines is set to launch in June; the Esbjerg to Aberdeen route flown by bankrupt British airline Flybmi has been taken over by Danish Air Transport; and a record 1.2 million cruise ship tourists are expected to disembark in the capital in 2019.

DI: reinvest 5G cash DANSK Industri believes the proceeds from auctioning off the 5G contracts should be invested into the country’s digital infrastructure. The 5G network will be up to 100 times faster than the present 4G network. Huawei has a contract with TDC to build the mobile phone network.

Brexit jobs at risk DANSK Industri estimates that 60,000 jobs tied to exports to the UK are at risk should there be a No-Deal Brexit. One industry set to suffer is construction. Danish companies export more building materials to the UK than any other country – 6 billion kroner in 2017 – but the tariffs will cripple the business, reports DI Business.

SKAT loses to Microsoft THE SUPREME Court has ruled against SKAT’s assertion that Microsoft had not abided by rules governing transfer pricing during the period 20042007 and owed the state several hundred million kroner in taxes.

Instead, SKAT was ordered to pay 1.5 million kroner to Microsoft. In related news, SKAT has reportedly lost track of the fines owed by 400,000 motorists.

Huawei ejections COPENHAGEN Police has confirmed that two people have been told to leave Denmark following a “routine inspection” at Huawei, the Chinese communications giant linked to espionage in several countries. In all, four people have been charged.

Mixed barrel for Danish business

PIXABAY

Airport’s record year

22 February - 14 March 2019

But where there’s no growth, there’s plenty of expansion

T

HE EARLY company results have not been too promising, but the Danish business sector remains optimistic if the expansion plans and acquisitions of some of its leading companies are anything to go by.

Profits may be down, but business remains safely in the black

Slightly smaller profits WHILE five major companies announced disappointing results ahead of the children’s half-term, only one of them was in the red: the pension firm ATP, which confirmed a 2018 loss of 3.7 billion kroner on its investments.

The other four all made profits most companies would be glad of – Nordea (a shrunken profit of 23 billion), Vestas (profits down 24 percent to around 5 billion), Pandora (stagnating profits of 22.8 billion) and Matas (Q3 profits falling from 227 to 206 million) – but they weren’t.

Among the highlights, Nordea saw banking activity revenue fall 5 percent, Vestas posted its lowest profit since 2014, ATP conceded that it is being hit by Danes living longer, Pandora has launched a savings exercise to recoup 1.2 billion, and Matas reported a good Black Friday and Christmas.

increased profits (up 4 percent to 79 billion kroner) and solid growth, although analysts were expecting a little bit more.

PostNord has confirmed it will be opening a further 500 delivery locations around the country as it increasingly switches its focus from regular post onto packages as online sales continue to increase in Denmark.

Growing fast in Asia CARLSBERG is buoyant though – thanks to an improved performance in India (up 19 percent), China (up 15 percent) and Asia as whole (up 1.5 billion kroner). Consolidated profits rose from 2.0 to 6.1 billion kroner.

And DSV has also enjoyed

Rapid expansion ON THE expansion front, Jysk has confirmed it intends to open 15 shops across Ireland over the next two years, which will create 200 jobs. Already present in 51 countries, Jysk will open its first Irish store in Naas, Country Kildare in April.

German discount supermarket chain Lidl intends to open another 103 new stores in Denmark over the next few years at a rate of 10-15 shops per year. In 2019 alone, 1 billion kroner has been set aside for investment. Currently, it has 117 stores in Denmark.

Danish startup LuggageHero – which allows short-stay tourists to drop off their luggage at 300 locations in Copenhagen, London and New York – is eyeing further expansion into Europe and North America this year following investment of 10 million kroner.

Deutsche Hospitality may have recently bought Danish Zleep Hotels, but it also intends to open its own establishments in Scandinavia, reports standby.dk.

Sharing economy

Significant seniors

Sustainable packaging

SOME 16 heavy-hitters from the world of business have been invited onto the Rådet for Deleøkonomi, the Business Ministry’s new sharing economy council. The council will aim to encourage more dialogue between companies, experts and social partners. An estimated 20 percent of the Danish population use the sharing economy.

NEW FIGURES from Dansk Industri reveal that the annual contribution made by the extra numbers of over-60s in the labour market over the last five years is 24 billion kroner – around 360,000 kroner generated per person. Compared to five years ago, there are 67,000 more over-60s in employment covering 51,000 full-time jobs, reports DI Business.

CARLSBERG recently abandoned traditional plastic ring can holders in favour of its new sustainable ‘Snap Pack’, to save 150 tonnes of plastic in Denmark alone, and now Arla is following suit with green packaging for its most popular milk product, Arla 24. Some 92 million cartons a year will be made from tree and plant material, reducing its CO2 footprint by 22 percent.

Always one fall guy IN THE world of acquisitions, Danfoss has boosted its portfolio in the US by acquiring the US alternative energy developer UQM Technologies. The deal is expected to be completed during Q2.

The Salling Group confirmed it will reopen 25 toy stores following its takeover of Fætter BR in January, whilst revamping the toy departments of some of its Føtex and Bilka outlets.

FLSmidth has landed a contract to build a large cement plant near the Ethiopian city of Dejen – a deal valued at 745 million kroner. The order is expected to be completed in Q2 of 2022.

But no such luck for Domino’s though. It has closed down a third of all its restaurants since it was revealed in September that it had been routinely mislabelling food to extend its shelf-life and maintaining poor hygiene standards. (CPH POST)

3F’s huge claim THE 3F TRADE union is demanding 100 million kroner in compensation on behalf of Metro workers active between 2013 and 2016 whose employment via the Adecco temp agency allegedly breached working hours agreements. Most of the 1,500 mainly Polish workers allege they were forced to work overtime in potentially dangerous conditions whilst fatigued.

Drought better than feared THE 2018 DROUGHT had less of an impact on Danish agriculture than feared, according to a report from the Department of Food and Resource Economics.

The industry endured direct losses of 4.1 billion kroner – 2.3 billion kroner less than what was expected by the Danish Agriculture and Food Council in August last year.

MPs want pension change DANSK Folkeparti and Socialdemokratiet want more flexibility for the pension age, contending that people who are worn-down and have worked the longest should have the right to retire earlier than others. Some 57 percent of Danes believe the pension age should not be the same for everyone, according to an Epinion survey.

Bank charged in France DANSKE Bank has revealed that it is being charged with laundering around 160 million kroner in France, according to a statement released on the Danish stock exchange Fondsbørsen.

Vestas’ new platform VESTAS, which recently solidified its position as the leading wind energy company in Russia with a large order, believes its new EnVentus turbine platform will revolutionise the sector. In related news, Ørsted has suspended its part in the construction of a wind-power facility construction in Taiwan.

New Scandic head SØREN Faerber has been named the new CEO of the Scandic hotel chain’s Danish operations.

22 February - 14 March 2019

BUSINESS OPINION

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.

Bridging troubled waters AS A LIFE science executive, I sincerely hope and believe British decision-makers will do their utmost to avoid a Hard Brexit.

A Hard Brexit would no doubt have significant ramifications for the British life science industry – and potentially for patients. But regardless of the final Brexit outcome, the British will remain key to European life science, and we at Medicon Valley should not abandon them.

Danish and Swedish life science exports to Britain were worth 3.915 and 2.113 billion

O

NE HEARS time and time again that the Danes are one of the happiest, if not the happiest, people on Earth.

Thomas Knudsen Mulhern, the managing director of Globally Local (globallylocal.dk) and former head of the International Department at Institut Sankt Joseph, is a passionate advocate of bilingual education in Denmark. In addition, Thomas co-hosts the Global Denmark Podcast (globaldkpodcast.com)

Point of discontent THOUGH it could easily be argued that ‘happiness’, in terms of the self-understanding that underpins the Danish mentality, would be better translated as ‘tilfredshed’ or contentedness. This is without a doubt anchored in the high level of trust that is a red thread running throughout the Danish cultural paradigm.

However, the catch 22 is that the very same societal contentedness, which is the cornerstone of Denmark´s national branding strategy, is a barrier to integration and internationalisation efforts and, thus, future economic growth here in Denmark.

NEXT ISSUE

IN 2 ISSUES

THOMAS MULHERN GLOBAL DENMARK

kroner in 2017, making it their sixth and eighth biggest markets respectively, and even in the event of a Hard Brexit, it is unlikely it will fall out of the top ten.

Strong Oxbridge standing REGARDLESS of the outcome, Britain will still be home to one of the world´s most innovative, academically excellent life science clusters.

As documented in the ‘State of Medicon Valley Analysis 2018’, the London-Cambridge -Oxford region is way ahead of every other European life science cluster when it comes to its quality and quantity of academic life science publications – a commonly used indicator of excellence.

As a somewhat smaller, more modestly ranked, albeit more specialised life science cluster, the Medicon Valley Region and its

companies and universities will continue to have a lot to gain from life science cross-pollination with Britain.

The Novo Nordisk Research Centre Oxford – which taps into the academic excellence of University of Oxford and the Oxford life science cluster to discover innovative medicines to treat diabetes, obesity and related metabolic diseases – is a very tangible example of this mindset.

It also testifies to the mutual interest involved and the quality of Novo Nordisk R&D, since Oxford University selects its partners very carefully.

No bridge too far BACK IN 1939 Churchill concluded that despite the lack of clarity related to Russian actions, the key to understanding them could be found in Russian ‘national interest’.

A false dichotomy CONTENTEDNESS has too often helped pave the way for black and white approaches within corporate, municipal and educational communities, providing expats and Danish repats with a false dichotomy between assimilation and segregation.

The word ‘integration’ itself has been misconstrued as synonymous with assimilation, and this is hugely problematic. In addition, the tendencies of both expats and repats to remain in their comfort zones – whether it be linguistically or culturally – have helped to perpetuate these trends. As a consequence, internationlisation and integration initiatives could be much better.

For organisations, diversity management and retention have not been maximised, and nor have internationalisation pro-

jects – especially within primary and secondary education – taken priority as they have national bilingual school movements in other European countries.

IN 3 ISSUES

IN 4 ISSUES

Enabling change SO HOW does an organisation – or, on a macro level, Danish society – break out of this black and white mould and create solutions that maximise integration and internationalisation efforts?

I maintain that by creating frameworks predicated upon belonging and shared meaning for Danes, expats and repats, we can create the conditions necessary for authentic integration and, thus, a home for all stakeholders to be a part of.

Shared experiences uniting these groups promote intercultural exchanges, provide crucial

PIXABAY

W

INSTON Churchill described Russian foreign policy in 1939 as “a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma”. From an outsider´s perspective today, the UK’s EU policy might fit that description quite well.

11

Theresa’s Box: once opened ...

If, despite the current political uncertainty, we can assume that the same principle of ‘national interest’ will be guiding British long-term relations with the EU, life science in Medicon Valley and Britain will stay connected.

Growth, jobs and innovation will accordingly continue to flow from this relationship for the future benefit of the Medicon Valley Region, the UK and the rest of Europe.

networking opportunities, maintain and develop bilingual (Danish/English) communication, and allow those in the process of learning Danish to authentically participate.

If these conditions are met, we can break down the barriers to successful integration and internationalisation initiatives, enabling Denmark to become a more dynamic and competitive country.

Make it a reality DENMARK may be one of the happiest countries on earth, but it is also one of the most difficult to settle in.

It’s time for those who care about the success of this country to work together to make Denmark truly the happiest country on earth for everyone involved.

IN 5 ISSUES

Union Views

We're Welcome – Honest!

Economics Explained

Danish Capital in 2016

Mind over Managing

Startup Community

Brexit Border-Dash

Give Yourself a Chance

21st Century Alchemy

UK-DK Trade

12 OPINION

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

PETER KENWORTHY BREXIT BORDER-DASH

N

OBODY really knows what kind of Brexit the UK will get, even though the withdrawal is just weeks away, and maybe that’s why I couldn’t decide back in 2016 whether to vote Remain or Leave in the referendum.

Not the easiest choice THERE were clearly both pros and cons. While many are pessimistic about Brexit, others contend that the pastures could be greener on the other side.

When the UK joined the EEC, membership did not significantly boost economic growth and prosperity, and analysts do not agree on what Brexit will mean for the economy.

Some believe it will not necessarily have grave consequences and that greater policy independence could indeed help bring about a new progressive social contract.

In the end, I wasn’t allowed to vote because I have lived outside the UK for too long. But it’s safe to say in hindsight – given the chaotic nature of the negotiations and the haphazard preparations for Brexit – that as a Brit living in the EU I would vote Remain.

The EU enigma MANY SEEM to have an unambiguous view of Brexit but an ambiguous view of Europe. Some can’t even agree with themselves.

For example, Boris Johnson and

No deal preparations DANISH PM Lars Løkke Rasmussen viewed Brexit as a tragedy. After all, the UK and Denmark tend to see eye-to-eye on EU matters, and the UK is one of Denmark’s top trading partners.

The Danish government is preparing legislation to be put to Parliament to ensure that British citizens can stay in the event of a No-Deal Brexit.

Initially, a transitional bill will ensure that UK citizens who legally reside in Denmark will retain the right to stay with more or less the same rights as before Brexit, including the right to social security and continued validity of residence permits issued before 30 March. This bill is to be replaced by a permanent bill at a later date.

So as things stand today, it looks like British citizens like me have a future in Denmark that looks pretty much like what we have now, deal or no deal.

But with Brexit, who knows what will happen tomorrow.

Living Faith Born in India, adopted by Britain, Smitha (chaplain@ st-albans.dk) is the new chaplain of St Alban’s Church.

In the UK, along with being a Church of England priest, she travelled Europe working as an English teacher, trainer and examiner. Smitha continues to work in an advisory and advocacy capacity at a national level on matters of liturgy and social justice FOLKEKIRKEN

Peter is a British/Danish journalist and Master of Social Science. He has worked for two Danish newspapers, an NGO and a municipal press department, is a contributing author to ‘African Awakening: The emerging revolutions’, and has written articles for an array of Danish and English-speaking newspapers and magazines.

Margaret Thatcher went from being pro-Europe to anti, while Tony Blair and Jeremy Corbyn went from being anti to pro-Europe.

When David Cameron delivered the referendum, he said it could jeopardise UK peace and security – the equivalent of “putting a bomb under our economy”. But there those who saw it as a good opportunity to discuss the UK’s role in Europe and the world and what it means to be British post-empire.

Instead it turned into a scaremongering competition between Remain and Leave: economic disaster and WWIII if we left the EU, hordes of EU criminal migrants and more devolution of power to unaccountable bureaucrats if we remained.

Remain spoke too little of the advantages of the EU and immigration, and Leave too much of how Brexit would ‘Make Britain Great Again’ by building an Empire 2.0, as if the original empire was admirable and Empire 2.0 achievable without gunboats and force.

22 February - 14 March 2019

REVD SMITHA PRASADAM

Coming together courtesy of Jesus

I

LOVE PUB crawls and safari suppers, but even as a vicar I had not experienced a gathering of Christians on the scale of Copenhagen’s Kirkevandring.

Pentecost early this year SOME 800 people gathered in ecumenical witness from Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches in the city. Some had done this oldest continuous walk of witness many times. As a first-timer myself, I’d thoroughly recommend it for fellowship and friendship. It got me thinking …

In a society in which I’m told repeatedly the last great taboo is religion – why did so many people gather on one of the coldest nights so far? What was it that drew Christians who would otherwise be diffident in confessing their faith to walk the pilgrim way?

Perhaps because we want to attest that in Jesus Christ the full range of what is possible for humans is made possible – that it is set out in a unique way. To be

fully human is to trust in God’s gift and generosity to the world made possible by the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus. It is a conviction not just of who God is or who we are – it’s the great ‘could be’ that Jesus announces.

The Jesus-shaped hope that liberates us is why Christianity is ecumenical and universal, and contrary to contemporary mythology, it is neither dwindling nor linked to language, culture, age or wealth. It is a universal hope.

Learning from the other IT GETS difficult, however, when one begins to think about those who don’t share the same conviction. However complex, it is how and where we stand alongside our non-Christian neighbour that excites me.

If God’s purpose for humanity is love, compassion and joy, then we are looking at those with whom God is already involved.

We understand how we are all made in God’s image when we engage with those who think

differently. God is already there.

What they’re saying about God, in different ways, is part of God’s involvement with them.

They too have something to say that will actually lead us deeper into the mystery of God. Why should we be shocked or resentful if someone who is not Christian has something to say about God? They enlarge our world-view.

Conversations send us into a deeper, more profound and larger vision of the living God. When you see Jesus Christ in unexpected places or people, there is humility, expectation, excitement and gratitude.

Part of the gift is to recognise it again and again. The spiritual exercise is to build deep friendships and listen eagerly for our faith to grow. It is not a betrayal of Jesus, but a commitment to the living, universal God. Christ in the classroom I’VE REDISCOVERED this insight at sprogskole. Shoulder-to-shoulder with people from all over the world, I’ve had conversations and support from those who come from all faiths and none. And by it, I have been held, supported and nurtured in what has been a challenging time personally.

Although we have not learned this yet as a class, I’ve discovered Danish already has a word for this sense of reaching out and being open to the other: ‘rummelig’.

Being spacious doesn’t quite capture the multiple, difficult, complex riddles we have to wrestle with, but with hope replacing fear and suspicion (along the lines of Gerard Manley Hopkins), in Kirkevandring and in class I have seen Christ “lovely in limbs not his”.

22 February - 14 March 2019

OPINION IAN BURNS

13

NEXT ISSUE

An Actor’s Life

The Road Less Taken JESSICA ALEXANDER

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

Mishra’s Mishmash MRUTYUANJAI MISHRA IN 2 ISSUES

THAT THEATRE COMPANY

I

WRITE this on Valentine’s Day, the fourth anniversary of the senseless murder of Finn Nørgaard outside Krudttønden where we are about to perform a new show.

Many local people came to pay their respects, leaving flowers and lighting candles beside the plaque erected in his memory. I met some of them and was very moved by their stories.

This is what being a community is all about. Britain has a lot to learn. This hankering back for a Dunkirk spirit, although admirable, is not needed in 2019.

Disunited and in denial INDEED what would have the Dunkirk survivors thought about the Tories’ latest plans to run channel ports without ships or ferries? Is this a new tactic designed to baffle all sane people?

The support of the UK’s transport secretary, Chris Grayling, for this Ramsgate balls-up is in the running for the most incompetent of all the Tory ideas meant to put us all at ease in the mess that is Brexit.

And that’s quite an achievement given the contenders, with Liam Fox right up there for a gold medal for rank madness and pathetic negotiating skills.

The Tories’ approach to this self-inflicted shit-show is a closed rank of denial about what is going to hit the disunited queendom.

Divisions run deep OUR CHOICE to launch our 20th season – ‘Art’ (Feb 20-March 23; tickets via teaterbilletter.dk or 7020 2096; learn more at that-theatre.com), Yasmina Reza’s comedy about a man whose friendship is tested after

Crazier than Christmas VIVIENNE MCKEE

Early Rejser ADAM WELLS

Straight Up

IN 3 ISSUES

ZACH KHADUDU

A Dane Abroad KIRSTEN LOUISE PEDERSEN IN 4 ISSUES Better to mess up before opening night

he buys a piece of conceptual art – reminds me a little of the uneasiness many must feel in the company of British PM Theresa May right now.

Instead of collectively trying to find solutions with consensus politics, she stubbornly repeats her dull mantra “My way or the highway”. This is divisive and deep divisions are manifesting themselves on the backbenches of the House of Commons, within the government, and among friends and families.

It’s devastating for the economy and the country. How many jobs have already been lost? The disaster of a ‘no-deal’ is looming fast on March 29. I have not heard one single positive reason for leaving the EU – has anyone?

If so, please share.

There’s a delusional notion that ‘not-so-great-Britain’ still has an empire that can deploy gunboat diplomacy to get what it wants. Those days are over, and it’s time to get over it.

Desperation daily IS ANYONE else angry with the selfishness of the richest 1 percent hiding their money off-shore, the notion of selling off the NHS that is being deliberately under-funded and understaffed, the cruelty of Windrush, and the slowness of dealing with the Grenfell Fire survivors and the tackling of thousands of other badly fireproofed blocks of flats?

Not to mention the austerity dogma that causes unnecessary suffering for hundreds of thousands of our most vulnerable; cutting police, firefighter and emergency response units; closing libraries and community centres; zero hours contracts that boost employment figures; the madness and hatred towards anyone daring not to speak English in public; and industries threatening to leave our shores?

These are just some of the reasons why I’m worried about what’s going on in my homeland.

Mackindergarten ADRIAN MACKINDER

Straight, No Chaser STEPHEN GADD

14 COMMUNITY

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

ABOUT TOWN

22 February - 14 March 2019

PHOTOS BY HASSE FERROLD

The diplomatic corps were out in force at a reception to celebrate the Iranian National Day on February 11 at the country’s embassy, where ambassador Morteza Moradian welcomed a special guest, the artist Majid Hoseini. Among those present were (left-right) Palestinian ambassador A Alhourani, Bangladeshi ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhit, Turkish ambassador Uğur Kenan İpek, South Korean ambassador Choi Jai-Chul, Armenian ambassador Alexander Arzoumanian, Brazilian ambassador Carlos Paranhos and Mexican ambassador Carlos Pujalte

The UN Women executive director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka visited UN City in Copenhagen on January 25 to take part in a panel discussion questioning how youth and technology can accelerate progress towards gender equality by 2030. Among those in attendance were Australian ambassador Mary Ellen Miller, Luxembourg’s ambassador Janine Finck, Irish ambassador Cliona Manahan, South African deputy ambassador Tsholofelo Lefifi, Mlambo-Ngcuka, Burkina Faso’s ambassador MariaGoretti Agaleoue and Austrian ambassador Maria Rotheiser-Scotti

There are four new ambassadors to welcome to Copenhagen (clockwise from top left): Elida Petoshati (Albania), Tina Krce (Croatia – agrée), Svetlan Stoev (Bulgaria – agrée) and Nimisha Jayant Madhvani (Uganda). In time-honoured fashion, may we say: Mirë se vjen, Dobrodošli, Dobre došãl/došla and Karibu!

Among the special guests of Chinese ambassador Deng Ying (centre left) at a Chinese New Year concert performed by the CFLAC Art Troupe at the Royal Danish Academy of Music Concert Hall on January 21 was Mette Bock, the minister of culture (centre right)

Italian ambassador Luigi Ferrari hosted a jazz performance by guitarist Antonio Onorato at his residence on February 5, which was followed by a Neapolitan buffet

Has Rådhuspladsen ever been this full before? The Danish men’s handball team were in buoyant mood on January 28 when they celebrated their world title with the fans

22 February - 14 March 2019

COMMUNITY

15

Why Not Theatre enjoyed a successful premiere of its new play ‘Mairead’ at Teatret Sorte Hest in Vesterbro on February 15 – check out the CPH POST’s six-star review on page 8 (full version at cphpost.dk) and our interview on page 21. Taking a well-deserved bow are (left-right) actors Kevin Kiernan-Molloy, Sue Hansen Styles, Kerry Norton-Griffith, playwright Tanja Mastilo, director Nina Larissa Bassett and actor Nathan Meister. The run continues until March 9

The St Andrew Society of Denmark held its traditional Burns’ Supper on January 26 at Cirkel-Ordenen in Frederiksberg along with all the trimmings: whisky, haggis, Scottish reeling and men in kilts. Among those present were (left-right) society president Kaj Larssen, actors Tom McEwan and Ian Burns (sandwiching the great man himself ), who provided some rip-roaring entertainment, BCCD president Gareth Garvey, and Royal Society of St George president Simon Mears

The renovated environmental solutions centre, the House of Green on Vesterbrogade, reopened on February 5. Among those present were South Korean ambassador Choi Jai-Chul (left), city mayor Frank Jensen (second left) and Indonesian ambassador Muhammad Ibnu Said (second right)

Australian expat Carl Coleman (bottom right), the former music editor at CPH POST, was among those celebrating the success of ‘Den Skyldige’, the runaway winner at this year’s Roberts on February 3. Coleman, the cofounder of the band Palace Winter, co-wrote the score for the movie

16 COMMUNITY

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

OUT AND ABOUT

Shamrock (centre right), last year’s beaten finalists Kennedy’s Bar, 2017 champs The Dubliner, and eternal bridesmaids The Globe.

And once again, it was the capital’s oldest Irish watering hole who proved too strong for the opposition, dispatch-

ing the Globe’s A Team in the semis, and then the Globe’s B Team in the final.

That man John Tanswell (right) led the way with some exemplary pool to lift a trophy that he duly filled with Tullamore Dew and soaked those lucky enough to be standing

ALL PHOTOS:EVANFOTO.DK

T

HE CITY’S Irish pubs were well represented at the Tullamore Dew 9-Ball Pool Invitational, a 16team tournament at Pool-Pub Copenhagen in Nordvest on January 6.

Among those in action were defending champs The

22 February - 14 March 2019

nearby.

Fortunately for the Globe, who have never won the tournament despite playing every edition since its launch 10 years ago, there was plenty of Irish coffee to drown their sorrows.

Shortly after the event it

was confirmed that longtime organiser Jan Pedersen is hanging up his cue and not returning next year.

However, Tullamore Dew has told CPH POST it is optimistic there will be some kind of event.

COMING UP SOON

BEN HAMILTON

International House CPH is hosting two events: Daily Banking and Buying Real Estate. Get some tips on basic banking and then find out more about the property market from invited experts (March 11, 16:30-17:30 & 17:30-19:00; International House CPH, Gyldenløvesgade 11; ihcph.kk.dk)

Laugh yourself silly at English Comedy Nights, which is compered by CPH POST columnist Adrian Mackinder. The line-up includes Nico Yearwood, Nigel Ng and Alistair Williams (March 7, 20:00; Dubliner Downtown, Ny Østergade 14, Cph K; 110kr, 190kr for two, billetto.dk)

Practise different languages with native speakers at a library in Nørrebro. Among the weekly options are Russian (Thu 17:30-19:30), Turkish (Thu 16:00-18:00) and German (Mon 18:30-20:30) (times vary Norrebro Bibliotek, Bragesgade 8B, Cph N; free adm; bibliotek. kk.dk)

This February ‘Husets Biograf’ will be hosting its first ever Oscars night! It will be an unforgettable evening with games, a Razzie Award Winner movie, and even a red carpet! So join for a fun all-nighter full of surprises and come and cheer on your favourite movie (Feb 24, 20:00; Radhusstraede 13, 2th; free adm; huset-kbh.dk)

British novelist, editor and writing coach Liz Jensen is offering an eight-week course in nonfiction and life writing, with guest workshops hosted by life-writing coach Stephanie Parker (every Thu, 19:00-21:00, ends May 2; Books & Company, Sofievej, Hellerup; 4,500kr; booksandcompany.dk)

Meet big names from both home and abroad at the biennial Copenhagen Comics. With headliners such as Ralph Meyer, Mark Buckingham and Garfield artist Gary Barker, there will be plenty of opportunities for a chat and an autograph (Feb 23 & Feb 24, 10:00-18:00 & 10:00-17:00; Oksnehallen, Halmtorvet 11, Cph V; copenhagencomics.dk)

Watch the documentary ‘NaturePlay – Take Childhood Back’ and take part in a Q&A with its makers. Are outdoor kindergartens the best way to bring up children? (Cinemateket, Gothersgade 55, Cph K; Feb 26, 19:15; 160kr, dfi.dk; film 87 mins, talk approx 45 mins)

Pay homage to the unique taste of liquorice! Join the organisers on a sensual journey through the liquorice universe, get inspiration, recipes and tastings on both the sweet and salty kitchen, and experience new products (Feb 23, 10:00; Weber Grill Academy Danmark, Dampfærgevej 10, Cph Ø; weber.com)

MAIREAD

Come and enjoy the Danish thriller ‘The Guilty‘, Denmark’s entry in this year’s Oscars, which has been wowing audiences all over the globe (Feb 24, 14:15; Cinemateket, Gothersgade, Cph K; English subtitles; 160kr; dfi.dk)

– when love locks you up and throws away the key

Teatret ved Sorte Hest • February 15 - March 9 • teaterbilletter.dk

VIRGINIA PEDANI

PAUL MCNAMARA

17

22 February - 14 March 2019

“A comedy classic” – The Times

by Yasmina Reza

Peter Vinding

translation by Christopher Hampton

Benjamin Stender

Rasmus Emil Mortensen

directed by Ian Burns

Krudttønden 20 Feb – 23 Mar teaterbilletter.dk

18 HISTORY

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

22 February - 14 March 2019

Not a-Falcking-gain! The family company with a history of sharp business practices

PAUL MCNAMARA

F

ALCK – the Nordic-based organisation that operates within assistance, healthcare, rescue and safety services – has had a torrid time of late, fielding all sorts of accusations of unfair business practice, but it hasn’t always been that way.

A national treasure TODAY it has a presence across most of Europe and across six continents, earning net revenue of 15.2 billion kroner and employing 38,000 people – including 12,000 in Denmark where it is responsible for 85 percent of the ambulance service market and accounts for 65 percent of the fire services – but it was in more humble surroundings that it was founded on 3 October 1906 in Copenhagen by Sophus Falck. In the years since, it has become as ubiquitous around Denmark as open-faced sandwiches.

It was the fruition of over 20 years of planning. A 19-year-old Falck had witnessed Christiansborg Castle burning down and volunteered to help. He observed how there was no real organisation or control of what was happening. A lot of the paintings, furniture and other artefacts were simply dragged out of the castle whilst the firefighters tried to subdue the blaze.

“I will never forget the desolate sight presented by this dreadful fire, nor the deep sorrow afflicting high and low; it was indeed a national disaster,” he later recalled in 1923.

“On this occasion, however, I was alerted to the necessity of organisation – calm, discipline, trained personnel and proper equipment – if such a fire is to be fought efficiently and if anything is to be salvaged under such conditions. The lesson I learned here has stayed with me in my work and has been fruitful.”

FALCK

These days they’re becoming more like the Mansons than the Maersks

Sophus, himself the son of a tobacco manufacturer and educated as a gunsmith, established himself as a blacksmith after a spell abroad helping to build hospitals in Manchuria during the Russian-Japanese war.

Audacious beginning IN 1906 HE OPENED the doors to a three-storey salvage station in the centre of Copenhagen. On that day almost 4,000 people turned up to see the inauguration of the new station.

The staff performed fire drills for public and journalists alike, although at the time they only possessed two cars, one motorbike and a few bikes.

In 1907, its first ambulance station was set up in Kælkebakken Ulvedalene in Dyrehaven, and it wasted no time in building a reputation, providing rescue services in response to the 1912 Sugar Factory fire (and three months of salvage), as well as the 1919 Vigerslev train disaster – Denmark’s worst train crash.

In 1926 a new law made it compulsory for all local councils to provide a firefighting service on standby. This provided the spark the business needed.

Councils all over Denmark turned to Falck to provide the services the law required.

The law came in the same year as Sophus Falck’s death, after which his sons took over – first Rudolph and then William. But by this point Falck was already firmly established. It had grown steadily in size and now consisted of three rescue corps, several stations and a large number of firefighters.

Mergers and acquisitions FALCK soon became known for its efficiency and expertise and by 1956 (Falck’s 50th birthday) was a nationwide operator, with 100 rescue stations in Denmark.

Falck expanded further on 1 January 1963 when it acquired shares in its main competitor Zone-Redningskorpset – a company formed by a group of its

So ‘Falck’ is a family name, not a Danish exclamation to express pain

dissatisfied employees in 1931.

Officially it was known as Falck Zone, but in 1977 it was shortened to just Falck.

In 1993 the company expanded to include security with the purchase of ISS Securitas, changing its name to Falck Securitas. And in 1995 it was listed on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange. In 2000 it merged with the international Group 4, which would lead to the company being renamed Group 4 Falck. And a further merger in 2003 established it as the world’s second biggest player in the security market, only surpassed by the Swedish company Secuitas.

In 2005, it was taken over by the capital fund Nordic Capital, in co-operation with ATP Private Equity, and delisted.

The main shareholders today are the Lundbeck Foundation (57 percent) and Kiribi (27.8 percent).

Meanwhile, Falck has steadily been growing outside Denmark, playing major roles in the emergency response to a number of major incidents, including the 2015 Paris terror attacks, the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, and the 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion in the Gulf of Mexico.

Unfair practice?

FALCK has always kept an extremely close eye on any potential competition and often reacted using methods that would make a mafia don proud.

Back in 2002, Vejle Amt asked the fire services in Vjele, Horsens and Frederica to establish an ambulance service that could compete with Falck.

However, Falck – backed by the trade union SID – made it crystal clear that their people would never drive those ambulances, so the idea was dropped. The same thing is said to have happened on Funen.

In 2008 it was the smaller Swedish ambulance service Samariten that felt the wrath of Falck. Samariten won a contract to run ambulances in mid-Jutland, Zealand and Copenhagen.

But the company was forced to give up the contract and retreat back to Sweden as they were unable to reach an agreement with the trade union 3F. For a number of years, the fire service in Roskilde ran an effective ambulance service that was a lot cheaper than the one Falck provided in another part of the municipality. After winning another district from Falck in 2009, the fire service was forced to give up when in late 2013 Fal-

ck came up with a surprisingly cheap offer that closed the fire services ambulance service.

And then in 2014 the Dutch company Bios won a contract to drive ambulances in a large part of southern Denmark that Falck had formally had exclusive rights to. Bios was unable to recruit ambulance drivers and it later transpired that Falck was involved in spreading derogatory stories about Bios through negative press coverage and waging a war on social media by proxy.

Ministerial intervention AS A DIRECT result of the furore surrounding Falck’s recent strong-arm tactics, on February 10 the innovation minister, Sophie Løhde, entered the fray, telling DR that she intends to tighten up the law so that public contracts can be nullified if a company is prosecuted.

In addition, the minister would like to see errant companies banned from tendering for public contracts for a longer period than at present.

So it would seem that a lot of humble pie will have to be eaten (as well as generous compensation paid out) if Falck is once again to regain its place in Danish hearts as the country’s favourite rescue service.

INTERVIEW

22 February - 14 March 2019

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THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

22 February - 14 March 2019

This spring London Toast Theatre will be taking audiences back to the elegance of the inter-war period in ‘Oh Baby, It’s Cole’, its new show dedicated to the life and songs of Cole Porter BEN HAMILTON

W

E SING along to Cole Porter songs, but few of us know the story of the genius behind them – or indeed that one composer is responsible for so many classics: from ‘Anything Goes’ and ‘I Get a Kick Out of You’ to ‘You’re the Top’ and ‘Let’s Do it’.

Porter, a master of his craft in Why Cole Porter?

I admire Cole, not just for his brilliant catchy melodies and his witty, clever lyrics, but also for surviving his background. Unlike the other famous songwriters of his time – Irving Berlin and George Gershwin – Cole did not come to America as a poor immigrant. His was not a ‘rags to riches’ story. He was born rich, spoilt and well-connected.

He could have wasted his life in indulgent pursuits and left no mark at all, but instead he chose to work hard and become the musical genius he is now acknowledged to be.

Do you ever fantasise about what it must have been like to party in the Roaring 20s?

In his film ‘Midnight in Paris’, Woody Allen fantasises about someone going back magically in time to 1920s Paris where he goes to parties and meets famous icons like Hemingway, Scott Fitzgerald and Picasso – and at the piano is Cole Porter.

I would love to do the same, and in my new cabaret show ‘Oh Baby, It’s Cole’ I send the audience back to those heady days when people simply wanted to have fun and forget the horrors of the war years. To a time when, as Cole Porter said, “Anything Goes!”

the 1920s and 30s, was arguably the world’s first popular song writer. His genius was being able to express love in playful terms that we can all relate to.

The grandfather of pop PORTER’S songs also embellish the innocence, hope and dreams of a generation determined to forget recent horrors – a time when the joy of life and finding love were cherished perhaps more so than in any other period.

From champagne, cocaine and flying a plane to the Colosseum, Louvre Museum, Tower of Pisa and smile on the Mona Lisa, he proclaimed that love was What can audiences expect?

Using the talents of four incredible singers, with myself as narrator, the show tells the story of Porter’s extraordinary life: from Paris and Venice with the glamorous international set, to Hollywood’s heyday with Fred Astaire and Greta Garbo and the razzmatazz of Broadway.

If you had to listen to one Cole Porter song on a loop for eternity, what would you choose?

That’s a difficult question. ‘I get a kick out of you’ is brilliantly decadent, but I think ‘Let’s Misbehave’ best shows his use of cadence, internal rhymes and repetition for humorous effect, making it clear why he is one of the only songwriters listed in the American Anthology of Poetry. My second favourite combines melody and lyrics to moving effect: “Every time we say goodbye, I die a little.

Every time we say goodbye, I wonder why a little.” It’s a magnificent song that works for every kind of goodbye for every generation.

You’re Denmark’s most successful English-language performer. A year doesn’t go by without your show, the Crazy Christmas Cabaret, breaking another record. Do you have to pinch yourself sometimes at how successful you’ve been

for everyone – even birds, bees and educated fleas – and popular music hasn’t stopped since.

A spring in all our steps FOR VIVIENNE McKee, the long-term star and creator of the immensely popular Crazy Christmas Cabaret, her adoration of Cole Porter has been a life-long affair.

With a brand new stage performance, she is this spring taking us back to the culturally rich inter-war period in which Porter became the toast of society.

CPH POST recently caught up with McKee to learn more about her inspiration to write since moving here in 1980?

I certainly never expected to start a popular theatre company with thousands of fans who come to see my shows every year. I am just grateful that my writing and productions give pleasure to so many people. It is wonderful when I am told by someone that she has seen every show that I have done for 36 years and now brings her grandchildren to see them!

But success didn’t come easy …

No – unless you think that having a baby every year is easy! Every year I face the challenge of creating a new show that will appeal to the 50,000 who come with high expectations. That is why I tried to stop last year. I have no co-writer and so the pressure is great and I wanted a break to do other things. However, I have a highly talented team of actors, designers and technicians who depend on the Crazy Christmas Show every year. It is hard to walk away from such a close-knit family, and I’m glad I decided not to.

You nearly married Richard Chamberlain in ‘The Slipper and The Rose’, a 1970s film adaptation of Cinderella, and you had a fairly big part in one of the UK’s biggest soaps, ‘Crossroads’ – do you ever wonder

THOMAS PETRI

Oh Vivienne, we’re sold: Who doesn’t get a kick out of classic Cole?

Vivienne (centre) and two of her cast members

and star in ‘Oh Baby, It’s Cole’, which opens at Krudttønden

theatre on May 15 (tickets via londontoast.dk).

what might have been had you stayed in Britain?

Like many expat women, I suppose you could say that I gave up my career in the UK and came to live in DK for love! I did, but also because I love to face new challenges. I don’t bother to think about what ‘might have been’, but now that you ask ... if I had managed to have an exciting acting career in the UK like Helen Mirren (and my early career path was similar to hers ) I would have still missed out on the thrill of hearing a thousand people every night in Tivoli roar with laughter at a joke or a scene that I have written.

right. But I’m also a performer and I’m too busy having fun onstage!

You must have seen them all come to your show: prime ministers, the royals, but has anyone ever made you feel nervous?

I’m not nervous when I perform for the royals or politicians – either in my shows or with my standup solo performances, but I can get a little nervous if I know that an actor or a writer I admire is in the audience.

Fay Weldon came backstage after seeing a Crazy Christmas show, and when she found out that I wrote the scripts every year, she asked me why I didn’t have them published. I told her that I’ve never gotten around to it. She fumed: “If you were a man you would.” She’s probably

What would you advise aspiring writers out there?

Don’t follow trends, follow your passion. When I write my Crazy shows every year, I can only write lines that make me laugh and hope others will always find them funny too.

Similarly with my more serious plays, the subjects are always dear to my heart. Go with your gut feelings and be prepared to work hard. Preparation can take a long time before you write a word. Cole Porter appeared to work very fast at writing songs, but he was working at them in his head all the time.

It sounds like ‘Oh Baby – It’s Cole’ is a success ready to happen.

Perhaps, but I’m no longer interested in all the administration work it takes to transfer a show to another theatre or to tour abroad. After more than 40 years in the theatre I now choose to set my sights on enjoyable and manageable projects like my Cole Porter cabaret. It will be lovely to perform it in Copenhagen and it will hopefully delight the audience. As Cole wrote: “It’s delicious, it’s delightful, it’s de-lovely!”

ON STAGES

22 February - 14 March 2019

BEN HAMILTON

A

SK FILM fans to name a director and actor who have a prolific working relationship, and most will choose Robert DeNiro and Martin Scorsese.

But did you know there are 31 director-actor teams who have made more films? Granted, some are the result of nepotism. Mia Farrow, for example, was in 13 of her husband Woody Allen’s films, and Sofia Coppola in seven of papa’s – so pretty much all of them.

Way out ahead of DeNiro and Scorcese are the likes of John Wayne and John Ford (21 films), Toshirô Mifune and Akira Kurosawa (16), Max van Sydow and Ingmar Bergman (11), Stephen Rea and Neil Jordan (10), Danny Trejo and Robert Rodriguez (10) and even John Turturro and Spike Lee (9) – not bad for a director whose films are predominantly set in US black communities … with a fondness for pizza.

Tesla, Tanja and Sue too AND NOW Copenhagen has its own partnership to cherish. Mairead (ongoing since Feb 15, ends March 9; Teatret Ved Sorte Hest; 135kr; whynottheatre.dk) – which Why Not Theatre Company describes as “a tender love story about prisons, expectations, and about risking your heart” – will mark the third time Why Not Theatre founder Sue Hanson-Styles has decided to stage a work written by Serbian playwright Tanja Mastilo.

But according to Hansen-Styles – who stars alongside Kevin Kiernan-Molloy (The Art of Falling), Nathan Meister (played alone in Mr Tesla Played) and Kerry Norton-Griffith (flown in from London especially for the job) under the direction of Nina Larissa Bassett – it was only by chance that she found out Mastilo wrote a bit.

Mastilo helped out with some PR at WNTC in 2009, but it wasn’t until 2014 that she happened to mention to HansenStyles that she dabbled.

“I read some of her stories and was so impressed – she writes from the heart and there are echoes of Sarah Kane in her work,” she recalled. “Before we knew where we were, we were staging ‘Secrets’ in 2015.”

The monologue Mr Tesla Played duly followed.

Stylish risk-taker STAGING new works is exciting but risky, according to HansenStyles “Fewer theatre are staging new works these days. Instead they put on former commercial successes in an effort to ensure ticket sales,” she said.

“I have never wanted Why Not Theatre to go down that route.

Taking risks in the theatre is what it is all about for me. Mind you, it also means a lot of sleepless nights!”

Mastilo feels blessed. “I think that our fruitful collaboration is really a testament to Sue and her openness to try something new,” she said.

ALEKSANDAR S MASTILO

Saluting our own Scorsese

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Sue Hansen-Styles (left) refuses to be boxed in when it comes to the plays she chooses to stage

Speaking from the heart MASTILO’S characters speak from the heart.

“There’s that great Hemingway quote that I always loved: ‘Write hard and clear about what hurts’.

And with ‘Secrets’, each and every story came from a very honest place and had a very deep significance to me, and I think that was something the audience picked up on,” she recalled.

In Mairead, she tackles love and romance – a theme that she has given up on many times because there is “a very thin line between cheesy and deep”. But in this era of interconnectivity, Mastilo can remain quiet no longer.

“Even though we’re so connected, we’re constantly becoming more isolated, and I find that paradox interesting: the selfie culture; the nearly perfect profiles on social media and on dating sites that people try to create,” she explained.

“I can’t help but wonder: where does that leave love? What chance does it have when narcissism rules and you’re constantly reminded to love yourself above anything and anyone.”

The art of a good combo HANSEN-STYLES and Mastilo aren’t the only pretenders to DeNiro and Scorsese’s crown. Over at That Theatre Company (TTC), Ian Burns has been cultivating a director-actor rapport with Benjamin Stender, and Art (ongoing since Feb 20, ends March 23; Krudttonden; 175kr; that-theatre.com) will be the third play in which the young British talent has taken instruction from Burns, following success with After Miss Julie and Marathon.

Stender’s sparring partner in that acclaimed production, Rasmus Emil Mortensen, also returns, along with Peter Vinding (last seen in Shakespeare Unplugged).

Returning to Reza FOR BURNS, choosing another play by Yasmina Reza – following great success with God of Carnage in 2014 – was an easy option.

“She has the knack of being able to put reasonably intelligent people into absurd situations. The play asks us if we are authentic people, or just the projections our friends want us to be,” reveals Burns.

“Art as we know is a matter of taste. But what’s friendship all

about? I hope the audience will shift allegiances between each character during the course of the play.

The play has a great dynamic of the triangular relationship. Think of The Odd Couple and add one.”

With some epic productions to look forward to in 2019 and 20 – Look Back in Anger by John Osbourne, a new play about HC Andersen’s visit to the home of Charles Dickens, and The Red Lion by Patrick Marber – the future looks bright for TTC. Best of the rest SO WHAT else have we got to look forward to this spring?

The CTC has two offerings – An Inspector Calls (April 3-13) and its Fringe Festival (May 2-4) – both of which are at Krudttønden.

Down the Rabbit Hole Theatre is again staging a Harold Pinter play, Party Time (ongoing since Feb 15, ends Feb 28; LiteraturHaus).

Leftfield Theatre’s next production, Truth by Falsehood (April 23-30, Teaterøen) is a trio of taboo plays.

Given director Lee Elms’ penchant for shocking (The Pillowman, Queers), who needs Scorsese.

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EVENTS

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

22 February - 14 March 2019

Mairead ongoing, ends March 9, Mon-Fri 20:00, Sat 17:00; Teatret Ved Sorte Hest, Vesterbrogade 150, Cph V; 135kr, teaterbilletter.dk Tanja Mastilo, the creator of original work Mr Tesla Played, has penned another play for Why Not Theatre Company. Mairead is a dark comedy about modern dating, love and disappointment, dreams and reality, loneliness and relationships.

Party Time ongoing since Feb 13, ends Feb 28; LiteraturHaus, Møllegade 7, Cph N; 160kr, teaterbilletter.dk Fresh from presenting The Lover earlier this month, Down the Rabbit Hole Theatre is again staging a Harold Pinter play. Six women gather to discuss the state of their nation and what do about the enemy in hiding: the men.

Michael Wighton directs.

Fokus Video Art Festival Feb 28-March 31; Copenhagen Cultural District & Nikolaj Kunsthal, Nikolaj Plads 10, Cph K; Wed free adm; 70kr; fokusfestival.dk This is not a traditional festival. Once again Fokus will lift video art out of its traditional setting at the gallery, displaying it at carefully selected city spots – both indoors and outdoors. (VP)

Disney on Ice Feb 21-23; Forum Copenhagen, Julius Thomsens Plads 1, Frederiksberg; 230-495kr; forumcopenhagen. dk Enter Disney’s world of adventure, joining Mickey and Minnie, and Simba and Snow White, among many others, for a trip down memory lane.

This celebration of magic and fun is a perfect fit for the whole family. (VP)

Oscar live-action shorts Feb 23, 19:15, Feb 28, 21:30; Cinemateket, Gothersgade 55, Cph K; 160kr Watch all five Oscar-nominated live-action shorts.

The line-up includes ‘Detainment’, a harrowing portrayal of the interrogation of the James Bulger killers.

Meanwhile, the Oscar animation shorts are all being shown at 19:00 on February 25.

CPH Vinterjazz ends Feb 24; various times and venues; jazz.dk The 19th edition of the Danish nationwide Vinterjazz festival is back for three weeks featuring more than 600 concerts at 100 venues. It might be in the shadow of the summer edition, but it still packs a punch! (VP)

Copenhagen Light Festival ends Feb 24; various locations; free adm; copenhagenlightfestival.org Celebrating the best of Danish art and design, the installations inhabit city spaces, particularly around the city centre and harbour, offering a family-friendly nightime experience. Check the website for the handy map. (VP)

Rival Poets Jan 25, ends March 2; Galerie Mikael Andersen, Bredgade 63, Cph K; mikaelandersen.com Enter the enigmatic, surreal world of British painter Ryan Mosley, which is inhabited by a cast of fictitious characters impossible to pin down in time and place. (VP)

CPH Knowledge Festival March 2, 10:00-19:00; Musikkonservatoriets Koncertsal, Rosenørns Alle 22, 1970 Frederiksberg; 495kr Listen to some of Denmark’s best speakers talk about their areas of expertise at Vidensfestivalen. All the profits go to running the publication RÆSON. (VP)

A World of Love Feb 9-Sep 8; Arken, Skovvej 100, Ishoj; 60kr; arken.dk Arken presents a vast, sensual exhibition featuring the Australian artist Patricia Piccinini’s wondrous universe of fabulous tales and creatures, which has been known to feature the odd mutated human. (VP)

6 Nations at the Globe Nørregade 43-45, Cph K; Feb 1-March 16; free adm Local tycoon and wannabe comedian Brian McKenna puts on a great party at The Globe for the 6 Nations. Shown on all nine screens, with every game shown, the place is always heaving. (PM)

Art Feb 20-March 23, Mon-Fri 20:00, Sat 17:00; Krudttonden, Serridslevvej 2, Cph Ø; that-theatre.com That Theatre is back with Art, an award-winning comedy about friendship directed by Ian Burns.

How would you feel if your best friend suddenly did something colossally stupid? (VP)

Phantom of the Opera ongoing, ends March 31; Det Ny Teater, Gammel Kongevej 29, Cph V; tickets: 209-748kr, detnyteater. dk; in Danish A historically huge production thanks to an equally large budget exploited to its full potential. It’s like entering an eye-popping gothic sweetshop. (MW)

Turandot ongoing, ends June 8; Operaen, Ekvipagemestervej 10, Cph K; 150925kr; kglteater.dk Ann Petersen, who last season dazzled audiences as Minnie in Puccini’s La fanciulla del West, will sparkle once again in the demanding title role in Puccini’s fairy-tale opera. (VP)

Winter at Tivoli Feb 1-24; open Sun-Thu 11:0023:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-24:00; Tivoli, Cph V & K; tivoligardens.com Explore the beautiful installations and illuminations by the lake. Valentine’s Day proves to be particularly memorable as lovers gather in the sparkling winter landscape. (VP)

Into The World ongoing, ends April 28; Louisiana, Gl Strandvej 13, Humlebæk; louisiana.dk This new exhibition in the series ‘On Paper’ focuses on the graphic work of Dea Trier Mørch, a pioneering Danish feminist artist.

Most of the work has never been exhibited before. (VP)

The Watchers Of Malheur ongoing, ends May 12; Den Frie Centre of Contemporary Art, Oslo Plads, Cph Ø; denfrie.dk Søren Thilo Funder’s work combines reportage with speculative fiction. The overall focus is a mini coup at the HQ of Oregon’a Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in 2016 by local militia. (VP)

Improv Comedy CPH nights weekly shows Wed-Sat 20:00, stand-up Sun 20:00; Frederiksholm Kanal 2, Cph K; 100-125kr The Byens Bedste winner Improv Comedy Copenhagen offers a staggering five English-language shows a week. The pick right now is Murder of Crows, a film noir-inspired show.

Horisont ongoing, ends March 3; Danish Architecture Centre, Bryghusgade 10, Cph K; 110kr Visit the Danish Architecture Centre and see an exhibition honouring the Danish architect Jørn Utzon. Horisont celebrates the 100th birthday of the architect’s birth. (MV)

Marina Abramović ongoing, ends 2020; Royal Library Søren Kierkegaards Plads 1, Cph K; pre-booking necessary at kb.dk/en ‘Method for Treasure’, the Serbian artist’s new installation at the Black Diamond, allows visitors to become actors in her world of treasures. Experience an immersive installation. (MV)

Pub quizzes Feb 28 & March 14, 19:30; The Globe, Nørregade 43, Cph K; 30kr, five per team / March 4, 19:30; Kennedy’s, Gammel Kongevej 23, Cph V; 25kr, four per team Don’t miss the quizzes at the Globe and Kennedy’s. The winners get 1,000 kroner at the Globe, and 800 at Kennedy’s.

Chocolate Festival March 9-10; TAP 1, Raffinaderivej 10, Cph S; chokoladeselskabet.dk Join 5,000 others at Denmark’s biggest event for chocoholics.

Try the wares of 40-50 exhibitors, take part in lectures and demonstrationss and treat yourself to a chocolate massage.

Perfect Pose Exhibition Feb 28-June 16; New Carlsberg Glyptoteket, Dante’s Square 7, Cph V; 115kr; glyptoteket.dk Explore the body’s many expressions and find your perfect posture. Focusing on the Paris art scene (17891914), the exhibition includes France’s top sculptors.

Shoot!

March 7-10; Husets Biograf, Rådhusstræde 13 2th, Cph K; huset-kbh. dk Husets Biograf is hosting the third edition of Shoot!, an international football documentary film festival. All the films have English subtitles. It truly is the global game. (VP)

North Atlantic Film Days March 1-9; Nordatlantens Brygge, Strandgade 91, Cph K; bryggen.dk Enjoy feature films, documentaries and shorts from Iceland, Greeland and the Faroe Islands, with director presentations and Q&As. This year’s theme is women and movies. (VP)

Sjón Film Festival March 8-10; VerdensKulturCentret, 7 Nørre Allé, Cph N Sjón presents anthropological audiovisual works along with workshops. This year’s theme in the state of sound. (VP)

Tribute to Nina Simone Feb 22, 20:00; Rahuset, Onkel Dannys Plads 7, Cph K; raahuset. onkeldannysplads.dk As a part of Vinterjazz 2019, come and listen to this tribute performed by Maria Thandie.

Coffee Festival March 1-3; Marketenderiet, Kirsten Walthers Vej 5, Valby Source amazing coffee and watch Denmark’s best baristas compete to represent the country in the world championship.

Cecily Brown ongoing, ends March 10; Louisiana, Gl Strandvej 13, Humlebæk; 125kr Where, When, How Often and with Whom is Brown’s first European exhibition for years. (MV)

People in the Space starts Jan 25; DGI-Byen, Tietgensgade 65, Cph V; dgi-byen.dk Four young Copenhagen-based photographers take you on a visual journey through time and space. (VP)

ON SCREENS

22 February - 14 March 2019

Seriously: who ate all the Latino actors?

BEN HAMILTON

I

’M CONFUSED. Captain Marvel isn’t a film about Bryan Robson – or even a man! There in a nutshell is the problem with society: men like me and our assumptions. Thank god for Marvel.

It really is saving the world, one sexist at a time.

Californian cannibalism I SEE THE promo shot, and I remain confused. Why do so many white actresses look Hispanic at a time when barely any Latinas are getting major roles?

Brie Larson’s preparation for the lead role in Captain Marvel (Not Released Worldwide; March 6) – another human vs alien box office winner that will make me sleep faster than a Theresa May promise on Brexit – was spending three months on Copacabana beach, soaking up the rays and snacking on the locals.

Yes, that’s the answer: there are no Latinas working in Hollywood because the white actresses are eating them all.

That’s being Oscar-cised!

DESPITE comprising 18 percent of the US population, only 3 percent of the speaking characters in 2016’s top 100 films were Latinos – and when they were, they were invariably a drug dealer, rapist or … PUTAAAH! America’s black (13) and Asian (5) populations have no such problems. Never mind #OscarsSoWhite and

#MeToo, #LatinosLeftOut is where it’s at.

The statistics are laughable when you consider that if Alfonso Cuarón wins the Best Director Oscar for Roma, Mexican directors will have taken home five of the last six gongs. But the only Latin actors to prevail this century are Benicio del Toro for Traffic in 2000 and Penelope Cruz for Vicky, Cristina Barcelona in 2008 (Hilary Swank having a Mexican grandmother doesn’t quite cut it).

Rose is playing with us CORRECT me if I’m wrong, but Larson isn’t the only actress of northern Europe heritage Latining up this issue.

Rose Byrne in Instant Family (57 on Metacritic; Feb 28) is the spitting image of Catalina Sandino Moreno, an Oscar nominee for Maria Full of Grace in 2004, whose career is once again flying thanks to a meaty role in The Affair.

Curiously Byrne has named her second son Rafa in her attempt to lure Latin roles – although her husband Bobby Cannavale has come up with some half-baked nonsense about saluting a great year for Spanish tennis.

In her latest film, she co-stars with Mark Wahlberg as adopting parents who end up taking on three Latin siblings – which once again leaves me very, very confused.

Chloë Grace Moretz, who is doing her best to torpedo her career following her breakout success as Hit-Girl in Kickass

23

and starring role in Hugo one year later, is another actress guilty of affecting a Latin allure. Or at least that appears to be the case in The Miseducation of Cameron Post (69; Feb 28), a mostly charming coming-of-age tale set at a gay conversion therapy centre.

WWI film a knockout BUT LATIN issues aside, we’ve got a mostly promising line-up in store over the next three weeks, starting with Cold Pursuit (70; Feb 28) starring Liam Neeson, the tale of a racist thug who hangs outside Notting Hill nightclubs with a cosh … oh, sorry, for once Neeson’s real-life past has turned out to be as absurd as his movies.

Like The Grey, Neeson is angry and it’s cold – nuff said.

At Eternity’s Gate (78; March 7) also feature an angry young man, this time hanging around wheat fields with a brush. Curiously the director Julian Schnabel makes no attempt to age 63-yearold Willem Dafoe in this mostly glorious depiction of Vincent van Gogh, an artist who died at the age of 37.

What the soldiers featured in the documentary They Shall Not Grow Old (91; Feb 28) would have given to live that long? Mr Lord of the Rings himself, Peter Jackson, has done an amazing job, rendering century-old footage as if it was shot yesterday. Somehow, I can’t imagine future generations will look back at us with such wonder.

Latinos left out while Marvel Girl, Hit-Girl and Bobby’s Girl stand out

On the Basis of Sex (60; March 7) was bargaining for a little more #TimesUp-induced awe with the tagline ‘It was a man’s world. So she changed it’.

But this uplifting tale of a female lawyer’s meteoric rise up the US legal system has left many feeling a little cold with its sanitised slant.

Netflix has all the cards THE FIRST of three recommended movies coming to Netflix, Paddleton (80; Feb 22), lets us right into an unlikely friendship rocked by a diagnosis of terminal cancer. But don’t worry, it’s disarmingly funny.

Prepare to be equally blindsided by Chiwetel Ejiofor’s directorial debut The Boy who Harnessed the Wind (69; March 2), the tale of a Malawi boy who builds his own wind turbine. Malawi! I already want to see it.

Oceanic pair The Break Uppers (77; Feb 15) and Isn’t it Romantic (60; Feb 28) – because one’s Kiwi and the other’s got Rebel Wilson – have interesting premises. One’s

about two women who specialise in breaking up relationships, the other is a fantasy in which the protagonist is trapped in a romcom film.

Staying with Netflix but on TV, The Americans returns for its sixth and final season (don’t miss S3 of Better Things, HBO Nordic, March 1); Ellen Page’s regret is etched on her face in every scene of the superhero yawn The Umbrella Academy (64; Feb 15), which has a Metacritic score top-heavy thanks to Collider; Anna Paquin looks happier in Flack (NRW; Feb 22), a promising London-set series set in the soulless world of PR; Dirty John (58; Feb 14) starring Eric Bana is a confused crime anthology that would have fared better with a simpler approach; and finally, inspired by a George RR Martin novella, Nightflyers (Feb 1) has everything going for it, except for a decent cast and any discernible originality.

And now you mention it, four or five black actors, two or three Asians, a multitude of different British accents, but absolutely no Latinos.

DANISH ON A SUNDAY Twice a month we invite you to experience a Danish classic or critically acclaimed new production with English subtitles or dialogue. This Sunday: The Oscar-shortlisted thriller ‘The Guilty’.

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

WELCOME HOME

Since 2004, we’ve worked to cherish that special feeling of ‘home’. Without boasting too much, we can say we’ve succeeded rather well. Today, we are Denmark’s largest housing agency. We rent everything from the small, one-room flats in town to the 500 sq metre villa on the coast. Furnished or unfurnished. On a monthly or yearly basis. We know for sure that a new existence away from familiar surroundings requires tranquillity on the home front. That applies whether you are the landlord, who is moving on – or the tenant who just wants to settle in comfortably.

It’s all about making you feel right when you step inside the door.

Welcome Home to Denmark’s largest housing agency housingdenmark.com

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