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DANISH NEWS IN ENGLISH CPHPOST.DK VOL 19 ISSUE 34 16 Dec 2016 - 26 Jan 2017

NEWS Helping the needy with socks, schnapps and nisse treats 2 NEWS

As good as it gets No crowing yet, but the Europol deal’s worked out well

NO BREX IT FROM HYGG E

Skilled workers a missing ingredient for food industry RESTAURANT

CHRISTIAN WENANDE

It ain’t Xmas without a visit to your favourite granny

17 HOLIDAY

Good riddance 2016? More reasons than normal to celebrate this NYE?

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F YOU BUY an ice cream anywhere in the world, there is a 50 percent chance that it contains or is produced using ingredients provided by a Danish company. For bread, the figure is 25 percent. In fact, Danish companies account for 14 percent of the ingredients on the global market. Lacking skilled workers BUT THERE is one essential ingredient lacking in Denmark’s contribution to world food production: skilled workers. According to a new report headed by Dansk Industri (DI), Danish companies have considerable problems attracting the skilled labour needed to maintain its leading position.

“The massive opportunities for growth can only be realised through considerable research and development,” contended Leif Nielsen, the head of branding at DI. “So it’s important to strengthen the unique environment that exists in Denmark in which universities and companies work closely together.” Not sexy enough YOUNG people would rather solve the mystery of cancer than work with potato flour,” said Ole Bandsholm Sørensen, the head of R&D at food company KMC. “They are simply not aware how advanced the biotechnology we work with is. It’s probably a general situation within the ingredients industry.”

According to a survey earlier this year, one fifth of Danish food companies find it difficult to recruit sufficient manpower. Change needed THE DTU has made eight recommendations for how it would like to see the industry change. It recommends more PhD programs, more startups and entrepreneurs embracing the industry, more privately-financed research, more focus on process technology, and for food ingredients to become a new study line. The Danish ingredients industry has a turnover of about 35 billion kroner a year – 95-98 percent of which is generated by exports. The industry employs 18,000 people worldwide – and 6,200 in Denmark.

- Christmas Service for the Whole Family www.kirkenikulturcenteret.dk

The new teens? MORE DANES under the age of 30 get help from the municipalities with waking up, tidying their homes, making it to appointments in time and grocery shopping, according to Local Government Denmark. Some 27 percent of the 41,651 Danes who receive the social and educational support were under 30, compared to 22 percent in 2009.

Gobbling them up SOMETHING fowl is going on in the state of Denmark. In a similar fashion to the rise in popularity of Halloween and Black Friday, turkey is now the preferred choice on 12 percent of Danish Christmas tables. In southern Denmark, it is even more popular than flæskesteg (roast pork). Duck is the preferred choice of 65 percent of Danes.

Dec 2 5 at 1:3 th 0 pm

NEWS

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

ONLINE THIS WEEK Policeman memorial SOME 5,000 Danes on Sunday attended a memorial ceremony for the police officer Jesper Jul, 43, who was shot in the head and killed by a mentally-unstable man in Albertslund last week. Jul was the first officer to be killed on duty in Denmark since 1995, and the 15th since the end of World War II. On Tuesday, the police said it was confident it had found the weapon.

Vaping ‘is’ smoking COPENHAGEN Municipality is aligning its rules regarding the use of e-cigarettes with those for regular tobacco products. It means its workers can only vape in designated smoking areas. While Liberal Alliance opposed the proposal, the cancer society Kræftens Bekæmpelse welcomed the news.

New scuba site A 20-METRE concrete barge was on Sunday lowered four metres beneath the surface of the sea to provide safe diving for scuba enthusiasts. Located 100 metres off the piers in Nordhavn, the wrecked barge has several different compartments for exploring. Its 1 million kroner costs were financed by the Nordea Foundation.

Big noise in Beijing COPENHAGEN will co-host the 2018 Beijing Design Week – a chance for creatives and urban planners to exhibit their skills to an estimated 5 million visitors. Earlier this month, a Danish delegation visited the Chinese capital as part of the China Denmark Cities and Regions Forum.

16 December 2016 - 26 January 2017

Schnapps, socks and shelters for elves Copenhagen School of Design and Technology and an elf liberation front among the organisations trying to make a difference this Christmas

Warms the cockles THE ‘SNAPS & sokker’ collection, which started life as a school charity project initiated by six Danish students from KEA, is until December 24 collecting socks for the homeless at the Mændenes Hjem shelter in Vesterbro. While most of the funds (Mobilepay via 6024 9906) will be spent on socks – enough for 300 at the last count – a small portion of the money will be used to buy Xmas schnapps.

There are needier cases this year than sating an elf ’s porridge addiction

For the nation’s elf MEANWHILE, hundreds of Danes have answered the call of the NBF’s ‘Jul i Løkkeland’ Facebook page to convert bus shelters into dwellings for ‘nisser’ (elves/goblins) to draw attention to the effect of the government’s austerity measures on the homeless and needy. Every Christmas, Danes leave treats out for the nisser to ensure they don’t play tricks on them (or worse), and similar goodies are being left in the shelters in the hope the mischievous imps won’t begrudge needier Danes

N 2011, COPENHAGEN was hit by a cloudburst that caused major flooding, and since then it has made major inroads with a prevention plan consisting of 300 projects across the city that has attracted global attention. New paving tiles COPENHAGEN will next May start testing a paving tile system for rainwater irrigation that collects rainwater and reuses it for the irrigation of greenery

in the area. The tiles have holes of different sizes that navigate rainwater into an underground water management system that is both connected to the sewer and can supply small green oases. Developed by Tredje Natur, IBF and ACO Nordic as part of Realdania’s ‘Klimaspring’ campaign, the first tiles will be laid down on Heimdalsgade in Nørrebro by May and tested until the end of 2018. Raining awards MEANWHILE, Copenhagen has been awarded the Guang-

More families in need ACCORDING to the Danish humanitarian organisation Dansk Folkehjælp, there have been 15,482 applications for Christmas help from families who cannot afford to celebrate the holiday – more than double compared to last year. The NBF explained it was “sad to see so many homeless families who cannot celebrate Christmas because heartless politicians have decided to cut back on social benefits”.

zhou International Award for Urban Innovation for its cloudburst flood prevention of the Sankt Kjelds Kvarter neighbourhood in the Østerbro district. The project was chosen for involving its citizens and increasing their quality of life by creating new green urban areas. A 20,000 US dollar prize will be spent on planting more trees. Recently, Copenhagen was awarded the C40 Cities Award for its comprehensive management and protection plan aimed at preventing flooding and encouraging growth. (LR/CW)

BURGLARY rates tend to be higher in the city districts with the most houses. According to Copenhagen Municipality – overall a 2 percent rise, but halved compared to five years ago – the rate in Amager, Brønshøj and Vanløse has increased in 2016, while flat-friendly Nørrebro and Østerbro have seen dramatic falls.

School’s total smoking ban NIELS Steensens Gymnasium in Østerbro has banned its public school students (ages 12-16) from smoking during school hours. Like any municipal building, smoking is not permitted at the school. The age limit for buying tobacco products in Denmark is 18, but there is no limit on smoking them.

Silent no longer BREAKING the Silence, an Israeli organisation that collects and shares testimonies from soldiers serving in its country’s army, was given the PL Foundation Freedom Award at the National Museum on Monday. The annual prize, which is given in honour of a Danish resistance fighter, recognises the exercise of human rights in an extraordinary manner.

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Houses less secure

helping themselves.

Specialists in negating cloudbursts Copenhagen continues to lead the way in flood prevention

Ambitious spending CITY HALL intends to spend 10 billion kroner on developing the city to accommodate an anticipated 100,000 rise in Copenhagen’s population. The funds will be spent on new parks, football pitches, culture centres (libraries included), swimming pools, sports centres, new daycare institutions, psychiatry centres and elderly homes.

LUCIE RYCHLA

HRISTMAS brings out the best in us, and this year the Copenhagen School of Design and Technology (KEA) and Nissernes Befrielses Front (NBF), an elf liberation front, are leading the way with initiatives to help the needy.

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16 December 2016 - 26 January 2017

2017: The Brits are leaving, but not without big dollops of hygge North Sea love affair hasn’t always been smooth sailing though

DENMARK’S NEW CANON The Danish people have chosen the ten values they most want to be identified with:

STEPHEN GADD

T’S BEEN quite a year for the UK. It lost one of its biggest music stars, voted to leave Europe and its top-ranked national football team were beaten by Iceland. There’s a strong argument that they need all the hygge they can get – which might explain why no less than nine books featuring the Danish concept in their title have been published this year. It seems as though – for a fleeting moment – hygge is the ‘new black’, or at least the new Nordic noir. Since Sarah Lund and her iconic sweater walked onto the scene, the British middle classes have become obsessed with Scandinavia, willing to shell out stupid money for books on glögg, knitted socks and blazing fires. And it’s been going on for five years! Just smart marketing? CYNICS might feel the whole hygge thing is just a smart marketing ploy to sell Guardian-reading trendies a lot of fuzzy stuff they don’t really need. So is there really more to it – and is it really so unique in defining Denmark and Danishness? (see factbox) Adrian Lloyd Hughes, a DR journalist and TV presenter, whose name betrays his Welsh heritage on his mother’s side, has ‘a foot in both camps’. He admits the proliferation of the hygge books has taken him somewhat by surprise. He contends that the enthusiasm for “all things Danish” is a direct spin-off from the TV series ‘Borgen’, which made Denmark a “high-flying brand”. He felt there is a certain fascination amongst UK TV viewers to see how a different electoral system works and, above all, that you can have a female PM who actually has children and a home-life and is not wedded to work! Communications gap SO PERHAPS the Brits harbour a sneaking admiration for this very small country with a total population less that of Greater London and almost no natural resources, which still manages to do very well in the economic league tables. Adrian commented that the only thing the Danes have really got going for them is their

• Welfare society • Freedom • Trust • Legal equality • Gender equality • Danish language • Associations/volunteering • Liberality • Christian cultural heritage • Hygge

“Borgen again yesterday ... somebody’s making a right killing out of this hygge malarkey”

intellect, which they use to claw out a position in the world. Adrian also touched on the characteristic bluntness of the Danes, which is often (mis)construed as rudeness by foreigners unaccustomed to such plain speaking. He admitted that here there is perhaps more of a communications gap between Danes and Brits than Danes realise. Heathen wretches THIS MUTUAL fascination with each other’s cultures has quite a backstory. There is a long tradition of interaction – both peaceful and otherwise – between the two cultures. The earliest writings on this are probably those found in the Anglo Saxon Chronicle, in which what is believed to be the first Viking raid, on the monastery of Lindisfarne on an island of the same name off the northeastern English coast in 793, is described. The anonymous author certainly pulled no punches: “On 6th ides of January, the ravaging of wretched heathen people destroyed God’s church at Lindisfarne.” Not much evidence of hygge here, then! However, relations between the two countries obviously became more cordial because during the reign of Christian IV (15771648), the lutenist John Dowland spent a great deal of time at the Danish court and composed one of his most famous pieces there, ‘King of Denmark’s Galliard’,

which was written especially for Christian. Undiplomatic language A LITTLE later, the diplomat and writer Viscount Robert Molesworth visited Denmark and wrote a book entitled ‘An account of Denmark: as it was in the year 1692’. Molesworth’s book, however, set back Anglo-Danish relations somewhat, as it was not at all well received in Denmark. From 1689-92 Molesworth was envoy to the Danish Court, but due to political and religious differences, he had trouble getting along with the Danish nobility and courtiers. His book was a scathing attack on the Danish absolute monarchy system, and it also contained side-swipes at the army, church and what he saw as the miserable conditions under which ordinary people lived. “I never knew any country where the minds of the people were more of one calibre or pitch than here; you shall meet with none of extraordinary parts or qualifications, or excellent in particular studies and trades; you see no enthusiasts, mad-men, natural fools, or fanciful folks,” he observed. Neither too right nor left MOLESWORTH went on to qualify things a little by admitting that “a certain equality of understanding reigns among them: everyone keeps the ordinary beaten road of sense, which in this

country is neither the fairest nor the foulest, without deviating to the right or left.” He even ends on a positive note: “Yet I will add this one remark to their praise: that the common people do generally write and read.” In fact, this could be read as a fairly spot-on description of Denmark in the present day – at least, the bit about equality and the homogeneity of society seems to fit pretty well. But Molesworth’s book was a political treatise against the dangers of absolutism, advocating a republican agenda, so needless to say, his criticisms were not popular. Modern tribesmen ANOTHER British commentator on Denmark was also a diplomat. Sir James Mellon was British ambassador to Copenhagen from 1983-86. Regarding the enigma of the Danish people and Danishness, Mellon theorised that the Danes are not really a nation in the normal sense of the word, but a tribe (or group of tribes) whose behaviour strongly reminded him of the behaviour he saw amongst the Ashanti people in Ghana during his posting to west Africa (1978-3). “When talking about the idea of a ‘nation’, this also involves the idea of fellowship, but a nation requires if not more, then at least something different. The Danes have certainly developed

and adapted. They have travelled around the world and forged commercial and cultural links in all corners of it. But they have never found their way to a synthesis of dissimilar elements, which is what is required for a proper nation. Their unity as a people is in fact due to the emphasis on uniformity. So this is not ‘both and’, but ‘either or’.” Whether this counts as damning with faint praise is for the reader to judge. Mellon also commented on the fact that Denmark is not as homogeneous as it might seem. He related a story set in Aabenraa, near the German border, in which a woman was despairing how an acquaintance was going to marry a German. “Still, said somebody, it could have been worse, it could have been somebody from Copenhagen. She was not joking. They all agreed with her. These are all Danes, outside – there’s no question about it, every Dane is closer to every Dane than to anybody else, but inside – it is not just one tribe,” said Mellon. Outside looking in SO ANGLO-DANISH relations have certainly had their ups and downs over the years. Perhaps it takes an outsider, coming in with a detached viewpoint, to highlight the cultural quirks, strengths – and also weaknesses – of a society or people. Coffee-table books on hygge probably won’t really cut the mustard in that respect, and many of them will be clogging the remainder bins by this time next year. Now what’s really needed is a Danish Molesworth or Mellon to take a penetrating look at the UK.

NEWS

16 December 2016 - 26 January 2017

ONLINE THIS WEEK Odin’s unlucky owner?

Fair Ethiopian winds DANISH wind energy competencies will in the future assist sustainable transition in Ethiopia after the two nations signed a new agreement regarding the expansion of wind energy in the east African nation.

Movember might have been killed by the hipsters, but that hasn’t stopped the concern

ISTOCK

A 1,500-YEAR-OLD golden amulet has been found in a field in Magletving on Lolland with an image thought to be Odin. Like many 6th century finds, it is believed the amulet might have parted company with its owner due to the eruption of an El Salvadorian volcano in 536 that caused a prolonged winter and famines all over the world.

Men’s health on the agenda

ONLINE THIS WEEK Food initiative hailed COPENHAGEN Municipality has been awarded the international Procura+ award in recognition of its affordable and efficient method of procuring organic, sustainable, seasonal food for its schools, daycare institutions and elderly homes.

OVEMBER, the charity initiative in which men are sponsored to grow moustaches in November, wasn’t as noticeable in Copenhagen this year – possibly due to the high number of hipsters. But that doesn’t mean men’s health issues have taken a backseat. Rather, the focus is moving to the increasing male suicide rate. A British organisation, the Sides of March, encourages the springtime growth of sideburns every year to do exactly that. Behind every man ACCORDING to the Men’s Health Society, a good woman is the key to any man’s happiness. Not having one, it claims, will knock seven years off a man’s life as he will become prone to smoking and drinking more and exercising less. According to its survey, 61 percent of Danish men aged 30 to 75 only have their partners to confide in about emotional issues, while women tend to have plenty they can talk to. However, there is hope that young men are learning to open up more as “they are being raised more and more like girls”, Martin Østergaard, a relationship therapist, told TV2 News.

Going for a song

Movember, hipster, surrealist ... nobody knows these days

No more illegal snips FOR SOME men, life can start

Surrogate rethink unlikely AN ILLEGAL circumcision could compromise fatherhood

of course – but single men can forget about a change to the law prohibiting them from hiring a surrogate in the future, according to the government’s ethical council, Det Etiske Råd. A hot topic of debate in Denmark recently, single men increasingly feel that they do not have the same freedom to reproduce as their female counterparts. In total, 580 babies were born to women without a partner in 2015, according to the Danish Fertility Society – up from 478 in 2014. Paying a surrogate is punishable with a fine or up to four months in prison. However, altruistic surrogacy – when the mother is not paid – is allowed.

Better lung cancer odds

Increase in blood clots

Resuscitation rethink

Biodiversity goal failure

Benefits of cycling

SOME 12.8 percent of Danes diagnosed with lung cancer live another five years – a three percentage point improvement since 2012, according to the Danish Lung Cancer Group. Experts attribute the higher survival curve to better oncological treatment and a better selection of patients who undergo a surgery. Up to 16 percent more patients survive lung cancer in the Capital Region compared to the rest of the country – a difference that experts attributed to the capital’s persistent pursuit of patients reluctant to undertake chemotherapy. An estimated 4,000 Danes die of lung cancer every year. (CW)

THE NUMBER of Danes aged 15-30 who have been struck with a blood clot to the brain has increased by 12 percent every year since 2006, according to the city hospital, Rigshospitalet. The majority of the estimated 200 cases annually are caused by a dissection, a small cut inside the carotid artery, which can often be caused by chiropractor treatment or a sudden hit to the neck or head, often sustained during sport. Doctors advise anyone in doubt to seek help as a blood clot can take days or even weeks to develop after a dissection occurrs. An early diagnosis can make all the difference. (CW)

A MAJORITY on Det Etiske Råd, the government’s ethical council, has agreed to call on politicians to change the current law so that all adult Danes who are legally competent should have the right to reject resuscitation after a cardiac arrest. Today, only terminally-ill people can seek to refuse medical treatment in cases when their heart stops. However, Det Etiske Råd’s 17 council members could not agree on where the law should apply. Some were in favour of everywhere, while others argued for hospitals, nursing homes and people’s own homes only. (LR)

DENMARK is unlikely to meet the majority of the 20 UN targets that the international community adopted in 2010 in Nagoya, Japan to protect biodiversity in the world. According to the Danish Society for Nature Conservation and the World Wide Fund, the country has so far only made progress with eight of them and reached just one: number 16, which concerns providing access to genetic resources and the benefits of their utilisation. In the case of two of them, which are both related to vulnerable ecosystems and financing, Denmark is worse off than six years ago. (LR)

TWO STUDIES in Denmark and Sweden have underlined the health benefits of regular cycling – particularly among the over-50s. The studies show that it reduces your risk of developing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, as well as becoming obese. The Danish study concluded that cyclists aged 50-70 were 11-18 percent less likely to develop heart disease. The Swedish study found that cyclists aged 43-53 were 39 percent less likely to become obese and 18 less likely to develop pre-diabetes. (CW)

Fewer teen mums THE NUMBER of teenage mothers in Denmark has fallen from 4,708 in 1973 to 995 in 2008 to 584 last year. The average age for first-time mothers in Denmark is 29.1 while teenage abortion numbers have fallen from 2,895 in 2008 to 2,051 last year.

Cold cuts withdrawal DELIKA, a Danish deli producer from Aalborg, has recalled six different cold cut meat products that may contain the potentially deadly bacteria listeria. Dated between November 7 and December 6, the products were sold at Rema 1000, Bilka, Føtex and a few smaller stores

badly: with a circumcision. And it is a practice the Danes disapprove of. A July survey revealed that nine out of ten would ban the ritual circumcision of boys. And the Health Ministry is listening. Last week it announced that from 2017 all circumcisions of baby boys must be reported to the National Patient Registry – regardless of whether they are performed at a clinic or home. Doctors who neglect reporting a circumcision surgery to the authorities will be fined. The Jewish Society in Denmark hopes that compulsory registration will result in a decline of illegal cases.

NINTENDO’S virtual game Pokemon Go was the most downloaded free iPhone app in Denmark this year, according to the App Store, just ahead of MobilePay and Snapchat. The fitness app ‘7 minute workout’ topped the paid apps category in Denmark. Danish iPad users favoured the Netflix, YouTube and DR TV apps.

READ THE REST OF THESE STORIES AT CPHPOST.DK

Flu season is here The annual flu season has begun already - a month earlier than normal. This year’s preferred strain is A H3N2, which is particularly hard on the elderly. Up to 2,000 Danes die during a typical season. City mums the oldest IN RELATED news, women in Copenhagen and Aarhus are waiting longer to have a baby than those in provincial towns, according to Danmarks Statistik. The average age in Copenhagen and Aarhus is 30.8 and 29.4, compared to 25.5 on Lolland and between 27 and 28 in most provincial towns. (CPH POST)

NEWS

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

ONLINE THIS WEEK DENMARK has pledged 50 million kroner to supporting the rebuilding of the war-torn city of Mosul. Danish PM Lars Løkke Rasmussen made the promise himself to his Iraqi counterpart, Haider Al-Abadi, when he visited Baghdad over the weekend. He also visited Danish troops stationed there in the battle against Islamic State.

“Core NATO nation” NEWLY-APPOINTED Anders Samuelsen attended his first NATO meeting for foreign ministers in Brussels last week. Afterwards he said Denmark would be upping its efforts in “taking even more responsibility and contributing more to co-operation” in its continued efforts “to be a core NATO nation”.

Top for infidelity ACCORDING to adultery website Victoria Milan, the Danes rank first in Europe when it comes to wanting an affair. Over 10 percent of Danish respondents were keen on some cheating, ahead of Sweden, Finland and Norway. Roskilde is the country’s randiest city with 29.6 percent up for some adventure, followed by Aalborg, Slagelse, Vejle and Viborg.

World’s most inspiring A DANISH aid worker has been voted the world’s most inspiring person by the magazine OOOM. Anja Ringgren Lovén, 38, became famous earlier this year after a photo of her with one of the abandoned African kids she helps went viral. To win the award, she edged out Barack Obama, Charlize Theron, Pope Francis and Leonardo DiCaprio.

A bit like ‘Go to Jail’ THE SOCIAL Games against Crime project is developing boardgames that children can play with imprisoned parents when they visit them to strengthen relationships. Aimed at kids aged 11-18, the games help them build resilience towards personal and social problems they might experience. Around 4,500 children in Denmark have a parent in prison.

Denmark satisfied with Europol deal New terms ensure the closest possible connection a non-member can have CHRISTIAN WENANDE

ARLIAMENT on Tuesday unanimously agreed that Denmark will have the closest possible connection to Europol, the European police co-operation, by accepting the new terms outlined by the EU in the wake of the opt-out referendum. They will come into effect on 1 May 2017. Denmark had been a member of Europol for 18 years, but a referendum in December last year resulted in 53 percent of Danes wanting to opt out. The deal, which was contingent on Denmark’s remaining part of the border-free Schengen area consisting of 26 European countries, means Danish police can still take part in operational co-operation in Europol and have quick and effective access to its databases. Vital database still 24/7 RIGSPOLITIET will not be allowed to directly search Europol’s criminal database, the Europol Information System (EIS), but it will be able to do so via Danish-

speaking liaison officers based at Europol’s headquarters in the Hague 24/7. Denmark has been using the EIS ten times more than other EU member states. In 2014, its police made over 71,000 searches – more than even Germany (63,000). All about Norway RIGSPOLITIET will not have to explain its search requests, and they will have to be answered as soon as possible, which is an advantage to Norway, which also co-operates with Europol but is not a member of the EU. Unlike Norway, Denmark will be allowed to attend meetings of the Europol management board in the role of an observer. Norway can only participate on an ad-hoc basis.

Furthermore, Danish police will regularly receive information from Europol that is relevant to Denmark’s law enforcement agencies, which is a service Norway does not get. Mugshots calendar MEANWHILE, Europol has an advent calendar that hides the most wanted fugitives in 23 of the 28 EU member states behind the closed windows. As unChristmassy as it sounds, there is no window for December 24, although King Herod is an obvious candidate. Denmark’s chosen one was 30-year-old Ziad Benamor, a dangerous cocaine and MDMA dealer who escaped from a psychiatric hospital and is wanted in Copenhagen.

Nordea says ‘Enough’ NORDEA’S marketing manager,

Kim Grue, told Jyllands-Posten that the bank could no longer endorse “the newspaper’s stance in relation to Muslim immigration and the increasing Islamisation of Denmark”. While DJ has also been critical of the government for giving the newspaper media support. The newspaper’s chief editor, Ralf Pittelkow, called the withdrawal “an outrageous attack on the freedom of speech and democracy in Denmark”.

Graduates getting faster

Mayor stepping down

More heading to Sweden

FOLLOWING a 2013 reform of the grant system that rewards those who finish their studies faster, the average Dane is finishing a university course in 5.72 years, reports Danske Universiteter – six months faster than in 2006. Not content to enjoy its predeccesor’s victory, the government’s latest reform has set a new target of 4.3 years.

ANKER Boye, 66, is stepping down as mayor of Odense at the end of the year. The Socialdemokratiet councillor has spent 19 of the last 24 years in the hotseat. He has named party colleague Peter Rahbæk Juel as his prime candidate to succeed him. Peculiarly, Jan Boye (no relation) was mayor from 2005-10.

IN THE first three quarters of 2016, 1,070 people from the Capital and Zealand regions moved to Scania – a 20.6 percent increase on 2015. Experts blame an 8 percent rise in housing prices in east Denmark. Meanwhile, 1,455 Swedes moved to east Denmark, the lowest figure since 2007 and a 7.7 percent fall from last year.

LUCIE RYCHLA

NUMBER of Danish organisations have pulled their ads from the rightwing newspaper Den Korte Avis in response to the social media campaign Stop Funding Hate, which urges companies to stop supporting media that promote hatred

No Bing, no! A DAY DOESN’T go by without Bing Crosby’s ‘I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas’ being played on radios across Denmark, and that’s fitting as national weather forecaster DMI has all but dismissed any hope of one. Denmark has only experienced a white Christmas nine times since 1900 – the most recent being in 2010.

Denmark’s chosen one for the calendar was a 30-year-old cocaine dealer

Paper poleaxed by principles Den Korte Avis learns the hard way that many of its advertisers support Stop Funding Hate

ONLINE THIS WEEK ISTOCK

Aid for Mosul

16 December 2016 - 26 January 2017

and anti-immigrant stances. Since its foundation in 2012, the paper has been heavily criticised by the Danish Union of Journalists (DJ) for its failure to adhere to rules on media ethics, and now Nordea Bank, IKEA, McDonald’s, Elgiganten, Føtex, Telia Denmark, Bravo Tours, JustEat and Vejle Municipality have pulled the plug.

Over 17 after all ACCORDING to the immigration services, most asylum children who have had their ages checked have turned out to be adults. Using x-rays of their fingers and teeth, the authorities deduced that almost 600 out of the 800 were over the age of 18. In their defence, Dansk Flytninghjælp said many young refugees simply don’t know their age.

Up the tower of PISA FOR THE first time, 15-yearold Danish school students have ranked above the OECD average for maths, science and reading, according to the most recent PISA test results – the first since 2012. Out of the 35 OECD nations, Denmark ranked seventh for maths, 15th for science and 15th for reading. Singapore finished top in all three.

Priest’s shame A 46-YEAR-OLD priest from Tømmerup near Kalundborg in west Zealand, who has been in custody since June facing charges that he sexually abused an underage girl, has now been accused of doing the same to four boys. Meanwhile, allegations have been flying at the country’s refugee centres, with 10 reported assaults at seven establishments.

Brexit hopes wishful DANISH MEP Morten Helveg Petersen has told CPH POST the chances of Brits retaining some of their union rights should Brexit go ahead are slim. An amendment from a group of liberal MEP, of which Petersen is a member, calling for the extension “would not have any legal effect” because it is not a piece of legislation, just an opinion, he said.

NEWS

16 December 2016 - 26 January 2017

ONLINE THIS WEEK Lions land Ludogorets

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Bob and Slash and Norah too HE MIGHT not like Sweden’s Nobel Prizes, but he loves Denmark and Bob Dylan is once again returning, this time to grace the Opera House on April 6 and 7. Tickets went on sale on Wednesday. In related news, Guns N’ Roses are performing at Parken on June 27 and Norah Jones is playing at Tivoli’s Concert Hall on July 15.

One loss in six wasn’t good enough

Danish icon dies

FC COPENHAGEN have drawn Bulgarian side Ludogorets Razgrad in the last-32 draw of the Europa League. The first leg is away on February 16, with the return tie a week later. A 2-0 win away at Club Brugge was not enough to qualify for the Champions League last-16 despite just one loss in six games. FC Porto’s 5-0 defeat of Leicester City saw them ease through instead.

DANISH-BORN design icon Jens Risom died on December 9 aged 100. The furniture designer moved to the US in the 1930s and was regarded as one of the 20th century’s greatest in his field for his Scandinavian-inspired work in collaboration with Hans Knoll and for his own company, RSD.

Grammy nods for Graham

LEGENDARY sailor Paul Elvstrøm, who won gold at four successive Olympics (the equal best for an individual male), has died at the age of 88. Elvstrøm retired from competitive sailing in 1988 after competing in the Seoul Olympics aged 60. Between 1957 and 1985 he won 17 world cup medals.

The spirit of ‘88

Ladies hanging on AT THE time of going to press, Denmark needed to beat Romania at the Women’s Can Lukas grab a Grammy or two? Handball European Championships to stay THE DANISH band Lukas Graham in the tournament. The semis are on Friday have been nominated for three Gram- and the final is on Sunday. The Danes my Awards: best pop band performance, drew 26-26 with Russia on Tuesday night. and best record and best song (the latter award goes to the songwriter) for ‘7 Years’ Test of manhood – a tribute written by frontman Lukas Forchhammer to his father. Meanwhile A YOUGOV survey for Metroxpress has Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich has been revealed that the Italian herbal liqueur co-nominated for ‘Best Rock Song’ for Fernet Branca is the most disliked spirit among Danes aged 18-29. Nevertheless, ‘Hardwired’. drinking it is still seen as a “test of real manhood”, an expert told the newspaper.

Mads gets the set

Euro 1992 revisited TO MARK the 25th anniversary of Denmark’s 2-0 defeat of Germany in the Euro 1992 final, the two sides are playing each other in Denmark on June 6. The venue has yet to be decided.

Herning to host worlds HERNING is hosting the 2017 European Road Championships from August MOVIES, TV series, adverts, music 2-6 – the first time Denmark has ever videos and now video games – Mads hosted the event. Mikkelsen has got the full set. The Danish actor portrays the commander of a Gimmie Sean Paul skeleton army with floating tentacles in the video game ‘Death Stranding’. The THE JAMAICAN rapper Sean Paul will Kojima Productions game is intended for be performing at Store Vega in Copenthe Playstation 4. hagen on April 13. He needed a cranium for the full set

Re-United Nations On January 9th 2017 our two campuses will re-unite as we open the doors to our brand new school in Nordhavn. The new campus will be home to our 1,100 students and teachers from more than 80 different nations. We are very proud of the fact that our new school will be one of the world’s most modern teaching facilities. Among the school’s many features you’ll find state-of-the-art classrooms, a restaurant, a fitness center and a dance studio, three gyms, three music rooms, seven science rooms and a 350 seat theater - all powered by 12,000 solar panels. It’s no wonder that our new campus has been listed as one of the five most innovative and sustainable new buildings, together with Apple’s new Headquarters in California and Tesla’s new Gigafactory in Nevada. Contact us to arrange a visit or sign up for our Taster Days in January at cis.dk

BUSINESS

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

16 December 2016 - 26 January 2017

Lost one job, found another

ONLINE THIS WEEK Super six for Vestas

ONLINE THIS WEEK Organic exports booming

Danish long-term unemployment figures among the best in the EU

VESTAS has signed six deals since November 30: two orders from Australia (180 & 270 MW) along with deals in China (80), France (112), the US (101) and Sweden (79).

ORGANIC good exports rose 15 percent to 1.982 billion kroner in 2015. Some 38 percent went to Germany and 20 to Sweden, while Chinese exports tripled. Dairy products and eggs led the way with 37 percent of the total, followed by infant formulas, fruit and veg, and meat products.

UST 20 PERCENT of the unemployed in Denmark have been jobless for at least a year – the second lowest proportion in the EU behind Sweden, according to Eurostat. Based on figures recorded on June 30, Greece (70 percent) had the highest share followed by Italy, Bulgaria and Slovakia (all 60). The EU average is around 50 percent.

Upgrade for McDonald’s MCDONALD’S is investing a three-digit million kroner in refurbishing its 89 Danish restaurants by the end of 2017. In 2015, sales rose 4.9 percent to 2 billion kroner thanks to a daily average of 6,800 customers.

Best bike in the field? Six months recuperating online isn’t the norm in Denmark

FOLLOWING in the footsteps of Søstrene Grene and Tiger Discount, discount retailer Normal will invest 400 million kroner in an international expansion next year. Bestseller owner Anders Holch Povlsen now owns two-thirds of the company that opened its first store in 2013. It has 70 stores in Denmark.

Continental improvement DENMARK also rated second for getting the unemployed back to work, this time behind Estonia. Over 35 percent of Danes who lost their jobs in the first quarter of 2016 were back at work in Q2. Greece was rock bottom again with under 10 percent, followed by Romania, Bulgaria, Ireland and Slovakia. Nevertheless, things are shaping up across the continent.

According to October figures, unemployment in the EU has fallen below 10 percent – the lowest rate since July 2009. Capital success MEANWHILE, the unemployment rate for people with a non-Western ethnic background has fallen in Copenhagen from 17.9 percent in 2011 to 12.2 today, steadily catching up the ethnically Danish rate of 4.7.

Experts praised municipal efforts to send more unemployed immigrants on subsidised internships where they can learn new skills and potentially even get a paid position. Not resting on its laurels, Copenhagen Municipality has presented an integration action plan for 2017-2018, which earmarks 4.5 million kroner annually to helping more people with a non-Western background get a job. (CW/LR)

Pork for coffee

Digital investment

Tunnel funds in place

C20 to add five more

Normal for budget shops

FENRIS Motorcycles is developing an electric high-performance motorbike with an 11 kg engine and top speed of over 300 km/h. Ahead of a 2019 launch, Fenris is confident it has a superior product to main rivals Brammo, Zero and Energica.

A third of Carlsberg Byen SCOTTISH capital fund Aberdeen Asset Management has bought 7,250 sqm of the retail area of Carlsberg Byen in Copenhagen for an undisclosed price. The 20 properties account for a third of the zone.

Software kings

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They can smell the coffee

Deep digital investment

Looks good ... from the air

25 better than 20

Software, hard endeavour

NEXT TIME you’re eating ‘chuleta valluna’ in Medellin, it will probably be Danish pork as Colombia is now importing it. Meanwhile, Denmark continues to consumes Colombian cocoa, coffee and palm oil, although the food and environment minister, Espen Lunde Larsen, who recently visited the South American country, would like it to be more sustainably farmed. Producing the goods for worldwide export currently costs Colombia 27,000 hectares of forest every year. (CW)

DANSK Industri has called upon the government to invest in a digital hub to bring together IT experts, entrepreneurs and students to develop the digital solutions of the future. “We know the investments of the future will go to those countries that are first to market with new digital solutions,” explained DI head Karsten Dybvad. DI is encouraging the government to launch a national action plan to improve the quality of IT education to address the shortage of computer specialists. (LR)

SEVERAL pension funds are prepared to invest upwards of 30 billion kroner into constructing and then maintaining (for 30 years) the prospective Copenhagen harbour tunnel, which will run 12 km from Nordhavn to the Amager Motorway to divert traffic away from the city centre. The blue bloc government parties Venstre and Konservative praised the news, telling DR the pension funds had given a lovely Christmas gift to Copenhagen’s “pedestrians, cyclists and local traffic”. (CW)

FROM DECEMBER 19, five extra companies will benefit from the extra exposure that comes with being a member of the country’s most-cited stock index as the C20 becomes the C25. “It conveys how well the stock market has performed,” Bjørn Sibbern, the head of Nasdaq Copenhagen, told Børsen. “Two of the three largest listings in the world [DONG Energy and Nets] in 2016 took place here.” The move paves the way back for comeback kids Nordea and FLSmidth. (CW)

DENMARK is emerging as a European leader in the development of new software, according to Dansk Industri. Admissions to university software courses increased by 62 percent this year. The likes of IBM, Microsoft and Uber Software Development have either set up or expanded development divisions since 2014. Denmark receives the largest share of investment from foreign venture funds of all the countries in the Nordic region, according to Invest Europe. (LR)

READ THE REST OF THESE STORIES AT CPHPOST.DK

BUSINESS OPINION

16 December 2016 - 26 January 2017

O TINY MAERSCHALK LIVING IN AN EXPAT WORLD Belgium’s Tiny Maerschalk, who has worked for the International Community networking platform since its foundation in 2008, knows how it feels to settle in a new country. Dedicated to improving conditions for new arrivals, here she shares her insights about the business issues that mean the most to internationals in Denmark.

N NOVEMBER 28, Denmark’s new tri-party government of Venstre (V), Liberal Alliance (LA) and Konservative (K) unveiled its manifesto ‘For a Freer, Richer and Safer Denmark’. In my opinion, ‘freer’ doesn’t apply to internationals. Among other things, the government intends to implement “a balanced and realistic immigration policy”. Now the question is where to find the balance and the realism. Rhetorical reality AS AN EXPAT, the rhetoric about internationals sometimes makes me wonder what I am doing in this country – it’s harsh and at times even hostile. The following statements are standard comments these days: it’s a privilege to be allowed to reside permanently in Denmark; if you want to obtain permanent residency, then you need to contribute to society; residency is

not something that is ‘handed out’ to just anybody; and Denmark has to remain a country for those who are able and willing. Imbalanced politics IT MAY be a ‘privilege’ to reside here, but the privilege is also Denmark’s when highly-skilled internationals decide to come here to live, work and contribute to society. The reality is that Denmark is in need of talented foreign labour – and will be even more so in the future. Some argue we need a national talent strategy for attracting international employees – and I agree – but on the other hand we continue to see tighter regulations. Regulatory reality FIRST the rules were tightened in January 2016. Then in August 2016, no less than 44 changes were presented to tighten the regulations on immigration policy. Golden opportunity THE NATIVITY tale also features a donkey as a means of transportation. This leads me to my first wish. The Medicon Valley life science cluster in Great Copenhagen spans Zealand and southern Sweden. To grow and prosper, the cluster is dependent on the free movement of knowledge, ideas and labour. The current restrictions on those commuting between Denmark and Sweden are limiting growth every day. I wish that we can return to normal conditions soon – for the prosperity of the regions and the sake of the thousands of people in life science and other industries and sectors crossing the border every day.

Say hello to Denmark’s three wise men

And now the government’s new manifesto indicates that regulations for obtaining a permanent residence permit will be tightened even further, as will the conditions for obtaining Danish citizenship. The regulations have been tightened and changed on such a frequent basis and, on top of that, retroactively. It is confusing and virtually impossible to keep up with it all. Restricted, poorer IF DENMARK continues on this imbalanced path, the gov-

ernment can strike the word ‘richer’ into the manifesto. Surveys continually prove that skilled international employees contribute to Denmark’s economy and businesses’ potential for further growth and innovation. However, the unwelcoming attitude towards foreigners could be a deal-breaker, when a talented employee gets to choose between Denmark and a more welcoming country. In reality, I’d just like to feel welcome in the country I have contributed to for the past 19 years.

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OW WHEN Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem.”

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. Away from the alliance, he is responsible for Novo Nordisk’s global R&D-based PhD and post doc programs, as well as research, innovation and educational policy.

Nativity inspiration SO STARTS the second book of the gospel of Matthew. We all know the story: Mary, Joseph, Little Jesus, the shepherds and the three kings from the east bringing gold, frankincense and myrrh. For many of us, Matthew’s version (intertwined with Luke’s more shepherd-focused version) is as integrated into Christmas as the anxious waiting for Santa and the gifts that he may bring. The political twists and turns of 2016 have been hard to predict, whether it’s been Brexit, the US elections and the latest Danish government. Predicting 2017 may prove just as hard. Like any anxiously waiting child, we are left to hope our wishes will come true. I only have a few.

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SØREN BREGENHOLT THE VALLEY OF LIFE

Frankly incensed THE THREE kings prompt my second wish. But while they brought plenty of gold (Venstre), frankincense (Liberal Alliance) and myrrh (Konservative) to Danish business, there wasn’t a

Unlike the Bible, Santa has clearly moved with the times

single reference to the life science industry in their new budget. The omission is a bit strange as this industry could indeed be the guiding star for growth and job creation in Denmark for years to come. It contributes significantly to our exports, is the most productive industry in turnover per hours, creates massive tax income to society and – most importantly – helps people to live better and longer lives. Myrrh recommendations SO IF SANTA was to bring

me one single gift, he should gather the shepherds of the government’s Life Science Growth Team headed by Lundbeck CEO Kaare Schultz and have them deliver an ambitious, fact-based forward-looking set of recommendations regarding how to strengthen the Danish life science industry. Then it will be up the new government to implement them. If these wishes come true, there will be truly gold, frankincense and myrrh this Christmas.

All of your Business

OPINION

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

16 December 2016 - 26 January 2017

One plus two is far from four

M LARS Løkke Rasmussen has once again shown his craftsmanship in the noble art of cliffhanging.

Well placed for power WE ARE one year from the local elections and over two from a general one. The polls indicate that Socialdemokratiet is in a favourable position to gain momentum and present itself as the natural opposition and its leader Mette Frederiksen as the next PM. In the balance is Dansk Folkeparti. It is the biggest blue party in Parliament, but it has two problems to digest. One is the new right-wing

Brick by Brick

anti-immigration party Nye Borgerlige, which is expected to take five to ten seats – mostly thanks to DF voters who believe their party is too soft on immigration. The other is the ugly stain left by the abuse of EU funds that has left their wonderboy Morten Messerschmitt on sick leave. No general election right now, please.

Stephanie Brickman made the hop across the North Sea from Scotland to live in Denmark with her distinctly un-Danish family. This 40-something mother, wife and superstar is delighted to share her learning curve, rich as it is with laughs, blunders and expert witnesses.

LAURENCE CENDROWIC

Grounded before lift-off THE WEAKNESS of his minority government was exposed when its big vision for the country’s future did not fly. Instead it crashed against an ultimate demand from Liberal Alliance – former right-wing members of Radikale now firmly in the blue bloc – that the top tax bracket should be cancelled or there would be no support for the government. It came as some surprise that party leader Anders Samuelsson climbed the ultimatum tree and did not look down. Nobody wanted a general election, so a solution had to be found. Firstly the PM took the budget for 2017 out of the agenda and thereby effectively grounded everything else his government had been working on. In its place came a copy-paste from 2016. With no growth in sight and no immigration threat either, it was a piece of cake. Now came the tricky part.

STEPHANIE BRICKMAN

Off his high horse SO IT WAS a fascinating piece of arithmetic when the PM invited what is now a tiny Konservative party and Liberal Alliance to join the government ranks, thus allowing Anders Samuelssen to slide off his charger to land in the chair of the foreign minister. The move is a good one for him, as it will allow him to quickly develop a serious profile and help the electorate to forget that he is partial to the odd game of chicken. Will there be retribution? Time will tell. Tedium beckons SO THE big plans have been binned. It’s a pretty safe bet that the next two years will bring very little in terms of legislation. The Europol problem looks like it has gone away, and nobody dare say referendum until we have seen how Brexit unfolds. A government commanding fewer seats in Parliament than the biggest opposition party does not form a dynamic force. However, the crisis is over for now, and there are no obvious pitfalls ahead. It may be a blessing, and not even in disguise. Remember: one plus two is far from four. (ES)

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Sadly Chummy (second left) wasn’t around for the cycling profiency test

’VE GOT used to living in Denmark – it’s been a long time since I accidentally bought yoghurt instead of milk. But until recently there was one major thing I had not been able to face, and that was driving.

Balletic bumper racing CARS ARE expensive here; there’s nowhere to park and cycling is so much easier. But still there are times in family life when a car helps. So we signed up for a share car scheme called Let’s Go that has a lovely little red car at the end of our street. I have had a driving licence since my teens, but my confidence has never been great. Perhaps it’s because it took me three attempts to pass my driving test and I failed the first two for going through red lights. Or perhaps because I have had a lot of little bumps, all at very low speed, of which some have been positively balletic. Who you gonna call? SO YOU can understand the trepidation I feel sitting in a VW Mini ahead of driving ON THE WRONG SIDE OF

THE ROAD for the first time. Childhood memories of failing a cycling proficiency test at the age of eight come romping back to taunt my troubled mind. I feel a need for a reassuring presence like Chummy, that nice nurse played by Miranda Hart in the 1950s-set BBC drama ‘Call the Midwife’. Chummy is jolly hockey-sticks posh, delivers triplets in thunderstorms and never panics. I shut my eyes, imagine the theme tune and instantly Chummy is there with me in full uniform. “You’re doing awfully well old fruit,” she says. “Now, a steady turn of the ignition key … there you go … into jolly old first gear … and pant for the handbrake.” Like parallel parking? AFTER a month or so I realise that the speed limit is generally 50 (30 is for miles not kilometres, who knew …) and things speed up, my confidence grows and Chummy doesn’t need to visit as much. Parking proves interesting. There are things you don’t notice until you have access to a car. The signs saying ‘2-timer

parkering’ mean it’s a two-hour limit, not where you cheat on your partner. And you’ll get a hefty fine if you forget to set your P-skive, which is nothing to do with children skiving off school on a pretext of fraudulent trips to the loo, but the little clock on the windscreen that shows when you arrived. A power trip ONE DAY I book an electric car when the mini is not available. I cycle over to its location, chain up my bike and jump in. I reverse out no problem, but can’t work out how to go forward, and when I eventually do, the car lurches and jerks. A grumpy old man goes past on his bicycle and yells in Danish: “Have you got a driving licence?” “Yes, but this is like driving a hairdryer,” I yell back. He gives me a really strange look and it’s then I realise I’m still wearing my fluorescent bike helmet, rally-driver style. I pull away silently at low speed. “Bally marvellous!” says Chummy.

OPINION

16 December 2016 - 26 January 2017

JAMES CLASPER

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Tasting Notes Originally from London, freelance journalist James Clasper (jamesclasper.com, @jamesclasper) shoots video stories for the likes of AJ+ and AP, and has had his writing published by the Financial Times, Modern Farmer, Munchies, and Treehugger. He is also the co-producer of The Snak – a forthcoming podcast about Scandinavia.

The Road Less Taken JESSICA ALEXANDER

Mishra’s Mishmash MRUTYUANJAI MISHRA

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An Actor’s Life IAN BURNS

Fashion Jam JENNY EGSTEN-ERICSON

It doesn’t help matters when your workplace is full of sharp knives

ARLIER this year a woman appeared onstage at an event in Copenhagen and said she was mentally ill. The event was the MAD Symposium, and with a name like that, you might think the woman was addressing the right crowd. However, the MAD Symposium was a gathering of chefs, food producers and restaurant workers. And the woman on stage was Kat Kinsman, an American food journalist who started writing about her mental health a few years ago and soon found people in the restaurant industry wanting to talk to her about their own problems. Kitchen aid THAT INSPIRED Kinsman to launch Chefs With Issues, an online forum for conversations about mental health and the restaurant business, along with links to resources for dealing with the particular pressures of life in the industry. She launched the website on 1 January 2016 and, by late summer, had already heard from over 1,600 people – most of them kitchen staff. She found that 84 percent

suffer from depression and 73 percent from anxiety. Threequarters said they use alcohol, drugs, sex, compulsive eating or overspending to cope. But the most telling statistic? Over half said they couldn’t say anything to people they work with because they “didn’t want to be thought of as weak”. Cooking up a storm AT THE heart of this is a cruel paradox. Almost everyone who makes their living from food has the same aim: to take care of people by feeding them. And yet, Kinsman asks, while chefs take care of us, who takes care of them? “We’re not taking care of you. You’re not taking care of you,” she told her audience at the MAD Symposium. “You’re not taking care of each other – and you’re too afraid to ask. And it’s killing you. It’s killing this profession that we all love. It’s killing people.” She wasn’t exaggerating. The food world was stunned at the start of the year when a leading French chef killed himself. Kinsman reckons hundreds of people

in the restaurant industry take their life each year. And Chefs With Issues is replete with stories of depression, anxiety and substance abuse. Indeed, the plates may be pretty, but the problems plaguing the people who produce them aren’t. Local issues OF COURSE, if you think this story has no relevance in Copenhagen – the capital of the ‘happiest’ country in the world – think again. Tales abound of trouble here too. Moreover, in this great culinary city, we all know people who work in the restaurant industry – people who feed us, water us and send us home with a belly full of food and a smile on our face. People to whom we owe a “debt of pleasure”, as Kinsman puts it. They look after us, so let’s look after them. Let’s talk to them, let’s listen to them. After all, the theme of the Mad Symposium was Tomorrow’s Kitchen, and Kinsman’s warning was suitably stark: “There will be no kitchen of tomorrow if there’s no-one left.”

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‘Mere te’ Vicar? DARREN MCCALLIG

Crazier than Christmas VIVIENNE MCKEE

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Straight Up ZACH KHADUDU

A Dane Abroad KIRSTEN LOUISE PEDERSEN

COMMUNITY

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

16 December 2016 - 26 January 2017

ABOUT TOWN

PHOTOS BY HASSE FERROLD

Christmas might be approaching, but the diplomatic corps never lets up the pace, with Japanese, Romanian and Finnish embassies all celebrating national days, and one of the most familiar faces on this page bidding farewell to these shores. Bangladeshi ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhit was among the guests at the Japanese Embassy’s celebration of its emperor’s birthday on November 25 (left); the new Romanian ambassador Alexandru Grâdinar enjoyed live music on his country’s national day at the Admiral Hotel on November 30 (centre left); and Finnish ambassador Ann-Marie Nyroos’s guests included US deputy ambassador Laura Lochmanat at her country’s national day celebrations at her embassy on December 6 (centre right). But none of the occasions could compete with the farewell reception for Georgian ambassador on November 22 where Ivory Coast’s ambassador Mina Balde Laurent, the dean of the diplomatic corps, delivered the parting address (right)

The ambassador agrée of South Korea is Jai-Chul Choi. Hwan-yeong!

French-based Danish artist Uffe Christoffersen graced Galerie Birch for the opening of his exhibition ‘Tiger Colours’, which will run until December 23

Slovenian writer Drago Jančar (centre) was the special guest at a literary event organised by Slovenian ambassador Tone Kajzer (left)

Among those present at the Global Talent Summit conference at Dansk Industri in late November were COWI chief executive Lars Peter Søbye (left) and DI chief executive Karsten Dybvad (right)

Latvian ambassador Kaspars Ozolins (left), Lithuanian ambassador Ginte Damusis and Estonian ambassador Mart Volmer (right) were among those at the Baltic Sea NGO-Network event at Filip Kirkes Menighedssal in late November

International Club Copenhagen has been busy, organising a visit to the Copenhagen Institute of Interaction for its members (left), and then taking the Diplomatic Corps’ lady ambassadors on an ‘unknown secrets’ tour of City Hall (right)

MARKETPLACE & SCHOOLS

16 December 2016 - 26 January 2017

Join the American Club in Copenhagen, and take part in our exciting and interesting events and excellent networking opportunities! This is a great way to meet others from the international community in Copenhagen! For further information: www.americanclub.dk or contact Vibeke Henrichsen at 3961 7375

I Sunil s/o Nand kishore R / o,C/o soni,teglværksbakken 12,2900 Hellerup changed my name to sunil sharma.

Christmas Advent and

www.of ag.dk

ANIMATION FASHION DESIGN ART WRITING INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

at Saint Alban’s Chhch

Carols and Poetry by Candlelight Saturday17 December at 16.00

10TH. GRADE DESIGN-HF ART & CULTURE

Children’s Nativity Service with Carols Saturday 24 December at 12.00

Midnight Mass

Saturday 24 December at 23.30

Christmas Day D Sung Eucharist Sunday 25 December at 10.30

Saint Alban’s Anglican / Episcopal Church, Churchillparken 11, Copenhagen. www.st-albans.dk Service every Sunday and Wednesday at 10.30

THE PLACE FOR

C RE ATIVE PEOPLE Odense Fagskole - Ørstedsgade 28 - 5000 Odense - Tlf: (+45) 66 12 21 45

COMMUNITY

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

16 December 2016 - 26 January 2017

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If you always wanted a fancy finisher t-shirt, this is your chance! Join the Saturday long shot run at Søpavillonen and showcase your running ability to your fellow runners (Jan 7, 10:00; Søpavillonen, Gyldenløvesgade 24, Cph V; free adm; nbrorunning.com)

Do you feel like building up your network this year with more Danish contacts than just international ones? Then join this introductory seminar on how to build a Danish network (Jan 12, 19:30-21:30; Dronningens Tværgade 5E, Cph K; free adm; getgreat.dk)

The Salsa Mas Dance Academy is celebrating its fifth anniversary with a huge Cuban party. Experience a fantastic Cuban atmosphere generated by great music and dancing (Jan 7, 20:00; KoncertKirken, Blågårds Plads 6A, Cph N; 120kr, billetboxen.dk)

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Join Books & Company for a joyful evening of Christmas Carols led by the founder of the Farnham Youth Choir, David Victor-Smith. All proceeds go to charity (Dec 23, 19:00-21:00, Books & Company, Sofievej 1, Hellerup; 50kr; booksandcompany.dk)

Find out more about the refugee situation in Denmark at this lecture by Michala Clante Bendixen from Refugee Welcome on the rules and regulations of the Danish asylum system (Jan 6, 16:00; Trampoline House, Thoravej 7, Cph NV; free adm, trampolinehouse.dk)

Learn how to access the hidden job market and get a job with zero experience. Join Copenhagen Capacity’s seminar on finding a job in Denmark – both graduates and experts are welcome (Jan 16, 17:00-20:15; Københavns Sprogcenter, room 104, Flæsketorvet 60, Cph V, free adm)

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Learn salsa and help a good cause. Come to Salsa4Water and swing your hips to classic Latino rhythms. All profits goes to WaterAid to provide clean water and sanitation to the needy (18 Dec, 12:00; VerdensKulturCentret, Nørre Allé 7, Cph N; 40kr for students and 60 kr for non-students)

Do you often get requests from your family to cook a Danish meal and you have no idea where to start? Then join this first popup cooking course (Jan 14, 16:00-21:00; BISQUITFabrikken, Jægersborggade 20, Cph K; 500kr, kogeskolen.dk)

The CTC’s pantomime includes Frankenstein’s monster, Dracula and his bride, werewolves and more for a fun night of good vibes and laughter (Jan 26-Feb 5, 19:00 every day (except Jan 30), 14:00 on Jan 28-29, Feb 4-5; Krudttønden, Serridslevvej 2, Cph Ø; 160kr, under-18s: 80kr, ctcircle.dk)

Are you a fan of boardgames? Because on ‘Testing Tuesday’ you can try out new prototypes and share your opinions with like-minded players (Dec 27, 19:0021:00; Rådhusstræde 13, Cph K; free adm)

YUL ANDERSON FACEBOOK PAGE

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Have you always wanted to start learning Danish but never found the right time? Well, now’s your chance at Danskbureauet’s free trial lesson (Jan 5, 17:00-18:00; Int House; Gyldenløvesgade 11, Cph V; free adm)

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HUBERT BAUMEISTER

COMING UP SOON

Experience the authentic sounds of Jimmy Hendrix’s legacy enthusiasticly performed by Yul Anderson (Dec 13, 19:00; Cinematheque, Gothersgade 55, Cph K; 200kr, billetlugen.dk) INA BILIC

Restaurant Hercegovina in Frederiksberg invites you to

THE YEAR’S MOST FESTIVE COMPANY CHRISTMAS PARTY The party starts at 5pm We have the recipe for the perfect evening – all we’re missing is you • Welcome drink • Deluxe Christmas buffet, with all that entails, all spiced up with our own Croatian specialities • Ris a l’amande for dessert, with coffe and a glass of cognac/liqueur • Beer and mineral-water, along with selected wines, served ad libitum throughout the evening • A genuine gypsy band • Belly dancer • Attentive waiters • Thank you and goodnight at 23:00

Deluxe Chri stmas buffet

5p 95DKK er per

son, including VA T

We stoke up the grill and make sure that the glasses are always full!

Order now on 33 15 63 63 Restaurant Hercegovina Mørk Hansens Vej 2 · 2000 Frederiksberg · Tlf. 33 15 63 63 · www.hercegovina.dk

HISTORY

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

16 December 2016 - 26 January 2017

To walk the streets of Copenhagen is to tread the path of Kierkegaard The Danish capital meant everything to the philosopher despite the occasional hardships it threw in his direction ZACH TAN

VERY DAY I cycle past the yellow-orange walls of Assistens Kirkegård. Within rest some of Denmark’s most famous individuals, from Golden Age artists like Christian Købke and Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg, to the childhood-defining Hans Christian Anderson – good company for the revered Vigilius Haufniensis (watchman of Copenhagen), otherwise known as Søren Kierkegaard (1813-1855). He loved this city ON MY DAILY bike ride, I always take a few minutes to ponder how a city like Copenhagen could have produced a man as eccentric as Kierkegaard. After all, the well-arranged and somnolent city seems so at odds with his flamboyant and incendiary nature. Often called the ‘father of existentialism’, Kierkegaard was known to frequently stroll around sleepy Copenhagen, no doubt upsetting random strangers by asking probing Socratic questions and musing on his own thoughts. His various eccentricities are well documented: from his quirky pseudonyms (Anti-Climacus, Hilarius Bookbinder etc) and his rollercoaster love life (he agonised for a year after his first engagement, before breaking it off in a spectacularly brutal and public fashion) to the way he interacted with others, like Ms Borries, his landlady at Dyrkøb 5. Initially hesitant to rent the rooms to Kierkegaard due to his reputation, he visited her, sat himself down in an armchair and declared: “Yes, here I be.” The story goes that his voice was so soothing and his look so sympathetic that Borries couldn’t help but lease the apartment to him. He even became the laughing stock of Danish society – due to a very public back-and-forth with a satirical newspaper that arose from a slight criticism of one of his philosophical works, ‘Stages on Life’s Way’. However, even after the city publically shunned and made fun of him, Kierkegaard never left. He loved Copenhagen deeply, calling it “the most favourable habitat

I could wish for”. It is fitting, therefore, that on October 1855, after a measly 42 years, he would depart life and city after collapsing on a stroll though the streets he so frequently walked. Streets he watched over ONCE SPURNED but now revered, Copenhagen doesn’t let us forget the extent of his celebrity. Throughout the city, one finds statues of him, including in Bibliotekshaven, the library garden at the Black Diamond and by Marmorkirken. Additionally, a plaque dedicated to him has been put up in the house he was born in – now a Danske Bank branch – at Nytorv. A restaurant has even been named after him in the Black Diamond library. Most conveniently, the official website of Visit Copenhagen lists Kierkegaard’s monuments in an easily accessible format, noting main attractions like the aforementioned statues and plaque. However, that didn’t satisfy me. I’ve spent countless hours in college tearing my hair out over his writings (fun fact: Kierkegaard was probably the author of the longest sentence ever written in philosophy – at a shocking 330 words) and I wasn’t going to be satisfied by a brief website pointing to the touristy statues of him. I suppose one good thing about the unchanging nature of Copenhagen is that one can still get a sense of the city in the 19th century, with many of the same buildings and streets existing as they were when Kierkegaard impressed himself upon them. Calling of his name JUST A few minutes’ walk away, we find the church that Kierkegaard frequented in his childhood, Helligåndskirken. Before Vor Frue Kirke (Church of Our Lady; Copenhagen Cathedral) was completely renovated, his family would go every Sunday to the church from their apartment in Nytorv, and it was there that Kierkegaard and his siblings were baptised. In fact, Kierkegaard in his later years would revisit the church to listen to Sunday sermons … and to criticise the preachers that delivered them. His attack on the church didn’t end there, though. He took issue with preachers using energetic and charismatic speech to deliver pseudo-credible

Copenhagen was all he needed to contemplate and philosophise

sermons that aimed to convince people of Christianity’s role as ‘eternal truth’. But Kierkegaard could never wrestle himself away from the church. He considered dropping his writing to pursue a career in the clergy, but was hesitant because he could never settle his intellectual uncertainty towards the way Christianity was practised in Denmark. That being said, he did in 1844 preach at the Trinitatis Church, where he was confirmed.

Kierkegaard was also extremely cognizant of his divisive role in Danish society, calling it his task “to make difficulties everywhere”. In fact, Kierkegaard once wrote that he saw Copenhagen as “one great social gathering”. Furthermore, he would often go to Christianshavn, where he would observe Copenhagen. Apparently, this was all the travelling he needed to do, as he wrote in his journal that from Christianshavn “one

seems to be far, very far away from Copenhagen.” On my way back home, I sometimes stop by Assistens Kirkegård. It’s a good place to have a stroll on stressful days – its quiet serenity provides an ideal environment to unwind. No doubt, if this were perhaps the 1830s or 40s, a nosy young man would have interrupted my walk with his irritating questions and annoying mannerisms.

RESTAURANT

16 December 2016 - 26 January 2017

Frida, the Danish grandmother you never had RESTAURANT FRIDAS

Gammel Kongevej 5, Cph V; open daily 11:00-23:00; lunch 12:00-15:30, dinner 17:0021:30; food 69-198kr; beer 49-73kr; reservation 33 31 65 10; restaurantfridas.dk MALENE ORSTED

ESTAURANT Fridas might be the closest you will ever get to eating dinner at a Danish grandmother’s place. They serve what the Danes refer to as ‘mormor mad’ (grandmother food), and believe me, that’s a compliment. The place was established as a bodega in 1954, but in 2000, mother and daughter Lene and Camilla Palmberg turned the place into a restaurant. I was not surprised to find out the place is family-run. The homey feeling is in every detail, like the colourful leaded windows next to the bar and the many Christmas decorations. The food is traditional Danish in a way only the older generations in a family seem to master. To stick with that thought, I imagine you’re better off keeping your calorie counting at home, because grandmother’s sauce is made using plenty of butter. Packed with pensioners FOR STARTERS we ordered pickled herring with raw egg yolk, onion and capers on rye bread, and also tartlets with chicken in asparagus. The tartlets were great and creamy with a crispy patty shell. There were a bit too many spring onions for my taste, but that’s a minor detail. All in all, it was a thumbs up and very much like my grandmother would have made them – so no complaints! The pickled herring on rye bread is one of the most popular Danish dishes – if you’re going to a Danish Christmas lunch (or let’s be honest, any Danish lunch/dinner), you will probably get a chance to try it. It is as traditional Danish as it gets. Though located in Vesterbro, there’s nothing hipster about Restaurant Fridas, but that does not mean the place isn’t popular. It was packed on a Thursday night. At a quick glance around

the room, I would guess the average age was 60+. The people who come here are not in a hurry; they take their time, enjoy their food and seem to be easily adapting to the homey feel of the place. Smoothly does it FOR DRINKS we quickly decided on beer, because it goes well with the rich food, and the restaurant gets its beer from Nørrebro Bryghus (brewery), which rarely disappoints. The only thing to bear in mind is that the beer is stronger than ‘regular’ beer.

We took the safe road, and went for the small ones (40cl), and as Camilla pointed out: we could try a few different ones. I started out with the Christmas beer, a dark ale, full and sweet with a ‘secret’ spice mix. My friend went with the Ravnsborg Rød, a full and fruity red ale. We were both happy with our choices. Sweet on schnitzel BEFORE going I had read some great reviews of the restaurant’s wienerschnitzel, so that was an obvious choice for one of our

main courses. Apparently in Jutland, close to Esbjerg, they call it an ‘elephant’s ear’, or so my friend told the waiter and me. He had never heard the expression, and neither had I. But I have to admit that when I saw my companion’s actual dish, the nickname seemed to fit. It was huge. I had the dish of the day, and although the lamb loin was delicious, I did feel a little food envy, but luckily there was more than enough for me to have a few bites of the schnitzel.

Trouser-splittingly good ONE THING’S for sure: you definitely get value for money at Restaurant Fridas. None of us managed to finish our main course. Not because it wasn’t tasty, but apparently there is such a thing as too much ‘potatoes and gravy’. So sadly, I didn’t get the banana split I had been eyeing on the dessert page since my arrival. It would have been the perfect way to end a nostalgic evening. I will simply have to come back and visit ‘grandmother’ more often.

18 Not getting on: how bookies target diseased punters FILM

THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

16 December 2016 - 26 January 2017

BEN HAMILTON

OBODY wants a good tip these days! I place three to four bets a year, always at long odds, and well over a third of them come in. Not only that, but their prices almost without exception get shorter, which means you could lay off the vast majority of my tips and make a good profit. But when I try telling someone, they just don’t seem to take me seriously. It’s mostly a problem with diseased punters who only bet on favourites. They’ll tell you their opinion, which tends to amount to one piece of useless information, and why the 4/7 shot is going to win – lunacy that is the main reason why my tip is 20/1. Fixed in their favour I’M GOOD at what I do, but a couple of winning bets a year isn’t going to make me rich. The trouble is getting on: placing a bet with a bookmaker. A myth persists you can bet any amount on anything. Sadly this isn’t true. You could have a great tip, but if a bookmaker doesn’t have it on their list, you’re screwed. Last year, I was tipped Brie Larson to win the Best Actress Oscar at 10/1. At least seven bookmakers were offering markets, but only one had her on their list and it didn’t have a Danish licence. I got my friend in the UK to bet on it, and the maximum he could get on was £10. Two days later, she was on all the lists as the favourite. And the same is true with most novelty markets – my area of expertise. The bookies are invariably clueless, but know that early markets can win them a bit of publicity. They’ll therefore have a maximum bet to limit damage

offset by new customers they hope will become diseased punters. Meanwhile, successful punters will be told to bet elsewhere – to a point they can’t get on anywhere. The best is Silence MY OSCAR tip this year is Martin Scorsese’s film Silence (Metacritic: 84; out on Jan 19) to win Best Film. Yes, I know La La Land is really good; that’s why it’s the favourite. I backed Silence at 16/1 and now it’s 8/1, which means I could go onto a site like Betfair and double my money. Beyond the film being the passion project of the world’s greatest living director, there are a number of good reasons why it could win. It looks set to get 13 or 14 nominations – the odds of a film with this many winning is 4/7. Even with 11 or 12, a film’s odds would be better than even money. The average Academy member is a better age fit for Marty than they were back in the days of Raging Bull and Goodfellas. All the squares who use to vote against him are dead. But being mostly Americans, they’re still likely to be Christian and support a religious film in which the church isn’t the enemy for a change. Given its subject matter, it probably won’t do well at the

box office – another incentive for Academy members to give it an extra push. A meditative exploration of the nature of faith probably won’t appeal to millennials, but Jennifer Lawrence has only got one vote. Of an unknown quality IF THERE’S one certainty, she won’t be getting a nom for the scifi rom Passengers (NRY, Dec 22). You know how there’s something comforting about astronauts sleeping in hibernation pods before the serious action begins – well, they’ve made a whole film about it. Born in brainstorming about the only thing audiences liked about Prometheus, Lawrence and Chris Pratt wake up 90 years too early, fall in love and save the spacecraft. Hurrah! Understandably, this being Christmas and the season to be commercial and all, there are quite a few films coming out with no time for the critics to warn you they’re utter rubbish. Top of the list of suspect turds waiting to ruin our xmas is Collateral Beauty (NRY; Dec 25), another film starring Will Smith as a troubled individual stepping in and out of other people’s lives – he gets into character by imagining what it would be like to lose his wife and kids, and that

might be the problem. Judging by the trailer, this could be the most cringeworthy film ever. Keira Knightley, Kate Winslet and Edward Norton in the wrong hands are a disaster waiting to happen. Another actor we love to hate, Ben Affleck, is back with Live by Night (NRY; Jan 19), a Boston gangster tale set during Prohibition in the 1920s. As accomplished as a director as he is, maybe it’s time Ben stopped casting himself in roles more suitable for people half his age. Assassin’s Creed (NRY; Jan 5) will be seeking to become the only ever film based on a computer game to be half-good; Bryan Cranston will be lending his charisma to Why Him? (NRY; Dec 25) – a remake of Meet the Parents by the looks of it – while XXX: The Return of Xander Cage (NRY; Jan 19) is the most un-necessary film of our times. At the last count, 88 percent of Vin Diesel’s films were sequels. Please tell me he hasn’t got a pack of Jadyns and Willows waiting to replace him! Class but hardly cheery MOVING on to the quality films this Christmas, there are no candidates for feel-good festive cheer unfortunately. Ken Loach’s I, Daniel Blake

(76; Dec 22) is a tear-wrenching tale of Brits on benefits; Patriots Day (72; Dec 25) with Mark Wahlberg is a re-enactment of the Boston Marathon bombing; and Jackie (81; Jan 12), featuring Natalie Portman in a lead role that might land her the Oscar, revisits cinema’s most famous grassy knoll. Nocturnal Animals (67; Jan 5) also features some Oscar hopefuls – most notably Michael Shannon, the FBI agent in Boardwalk Empire – but once again, its subject matter of a grisly divorce turned nasty … well, it’s probably quite well timed for January. But if you need some help shaking off those cobwebs, underdog movie Bleed for This (62; Jan 12), the tale of a boxer who recovers from a spinal injury to become world champion, might do the trick. Nothing to do with heavyweight champ Floyd Patterson, the best film of the next month according to the critics is Jim Jarmusch’s Paterson (87; Jan 5) starring Adam Driver as a poetic bus driver in what is the director’s first stab at mumblecore – a genre pretty much tailor-made for him. It brings us neatly full circle as Driver plays one of the main characters, a Jesuit priest, in Silence – my favoured form of communication to my friends when my tips don’t come in.

TECHNICOLOR: COLORFUL VISIONS FROM HOLLYWOOD’S GOLDEN AGE Throughout December (re-)experience some of Hollywood’s greatest classics: ‘Gone with the Wind’, ‘The Wizard of Oz’, ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ and other Technicolor masterpieces in the Cinematheque. 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

19 Leave the beastly Grim Reaper’s bestie behind in style HOLIDAY

16 December 2016 - 26 January 2017

ISTOCK

2016 killed off a lot of old friends and gave us new enemies, but as the old song goes: “Let auld acquaintance be forgot” … or is that too soon for some? ASHLEY SMALLEY & INA BILIC

OOKING to try something new this New Year’s Eve but don’t know what to do? There are plenty of happenings in Copenhagen this year to enjoy with family and friends. From day events to evening celebrations, you are likely to find something that suits you. Join in on what the city has to offer this year, and end the last day of the year with a bang!

SPRINT INTO THE NEW YEAR

New Year’s Eve Race; Dec 31, 09:30-14:00; Gunnar Nu Hansens Plads 11, Cph Ø (start and finish location); 75kr (2 km kids race), 150kr (5/10 km), 200kr (21.1 km); sparta.dk Start the last day of the year with a fun and festive race for the whole family and good friends! There are different options for adults and children, although one adult can join their races at 09:30 or 11:00. After the races, sparkling wine will be provided for the adults and juice for the children. Feel free to treat yourself to cake as well! But remember to dress up, as there will be prizes for the most festive costumes!

JUMP THE YEAR AWAY

Dec 31, 12:00; Islands Brygge; free adm Get refreshed with a jump into the icy cold harbour with a bunch of other crazy Copenhageners. It’ll certainly energise you for the long night ahead!

LIGHTING UP THE SKY

Dec 31, 11:00-00:30 (fireworks at 00:00); Tivoli Gardens, Vesterbrogade 3, Cph V; 120kr Sure to not disappoint, the annual celebration at Tivoli is a classic, go-to New Year’s Eve outing for both Danes and foreigners. It is a magical place on an everyday basis, but see for yourself how much more glimmering Tivoli becomes on this special occasion. The rides are open until 22:00, which gives you time to grab some snacks and warm drinks before you watch the firework show when the clock strikes midnight!

Many head to the water or the rooftops to enjoy the lightshow

¡FELIZ AÑO NUEVO!

Cuban New Years Fest; Dec 31, 20:30-05:00; Kedelhallen, Nyelandsvej 75A, Frederiksberg; 200kr (100kr after 00:30) Celebrate the Latin way at the ultimate Cuban New Year’s Eve Party. The stage is set for an unforgettable evening of delicious food and entertainment (and of course lots of mojitos). There will be shows and the opportunity to take part in traditional dances such as the salsa and conga with the help of guest instructors. Allow the fiery music played by the various DJs to carry you to the dancefloor and get your body moving! Sign up now so you don’t miss it!

GET IN THE WINTER SPIRIT

Dec 31, 10:00-21:00; Frederiksberg Runddel 1, Cph V; free adm (50kr skate rental) Bundle up and come and express yourselves on Frederiskberg Have’s ice rink. You’ll be gliding along the ice, surely making you feel like you’re in a winter

wonderland. Just remember to go counterclockwise!

“ALL NIGHT LONG”

New Year’s Eve Party; Dec 31, 19:30-05:00; Copenhagen Downtown Hostel, Vandkunsten 5, Cph K; 100kr (food ticket) Bring your friends to this nightlong celebration at the place that always knows how to throw a good party. Whether you’re from Denmark or are international, it will be an event you don’t want to miss. First, get some food at their delicious New Year’s Eve-themed buffet from 19:30, then make your way to the bar at 20:30 for a class of champagne. Move to the beat of the DJs, watch the fireworks at midnight and, most importantly, don’t pass up the drink specials!

ROYAL CELEBRATIONS

Dec 31, 23:59; Amalienborg Slotsplads 5, Cph K; free adm Every year, many Copenhageners and tourists gather at Amalienborg to see in the New Year together with the royal family.

Besides the great atmosphere, you get a chance to see Queen Margrethe II and the Royal Guard Parade in red gala uniforms. So if you feel like having a royal celebration this year, that’s the place to go!

3, 2, 1 … HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Dec 31, 23:59; City Hall Square, Rådhuspladsen, Cph V; free adm If you prefer celebrating New Year’s Eve with lots of people, then Rådhuspladsen (city hall square) is the place to be! You can join the big crowd and count down the last few seconds of this year, while the TV broadcasts the whole event to the rest of Denmark. As Danes are crazy about fireworks, you can expect a real light show right after, led by many cheerful party-goers.

LOOKING FOR A BITE?

Dec 31 of course Want to go out to dinner on New Year’s Eve, but not sure where to eat? Here’s a list of different kinds of restaurants that promise a good atmosphere

and just as good a menu: Almanac, Axel Borg Bodega, Baest, Bonjour Vietnam, Chai Wong, Fascati (Grand Hotel), Herefore Village, La Rocca, Manzel, Llama, Nimb Brasserie, Pintxos, Nose2Tail, Umami, Vesterbro Bryghus, and most of the places at Tivoli.

CELEBRATE LIKE A DANE

Dec 31 of course Invite some friends over and party like the Danes do! Start the night off at 6pm by watching the live broadcast of the queen’s speech, after which you can start your drinking and eating. Enjoy a classic meal of boiled cod with traditional mustard sauce, and end on a sweet note with ‘kransekage,’ a towering cake made out of rings of marzipan symbolising happiness and wealth for the new year. And of course, we can’t forget the fireworks. So grab your safety goggles and leap out onto the streets, whether you want to set off your own or watch someone else’s show!

NEWS

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THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK

16 December 2016 - 26 January 2017

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