Focus Summer issue #20 by FOCUS Student Magazine

20th 2

Issue of Focus

his summer, FOCUS Student Magazine is available online, so you can FOCUS on the go! We’re setting goals to make the magazine more sustainable, which is why we’ll be publishing future summer issues of FOCUS online. The fall, winter and spring issues will still be published in print, of course. We’ve chosen to launch online because the campus in Birk becomes a quieter place during the break. Students are out making the most of their summer vacation – going on adventures, meeting new people, working, traveling, doing internships, visiting home. So now, we’ve made it easy to take FOCUS with you! Are you also making goals to be more sustainable? If so, tell us about them! Inspire us and your fellow classmates by tagging us on Instagram (@focusstudentmag) with the hashtag #focusonthego. Have a great summer, dear readers!

In the Spotlight: Enclave Monarchy.................................................................................. 4 Blast From the past: Oplevo............................................................................................. 10 Outsider Looking In: A Nontrepreneur in a World of Entrepreneurs................................... 12 How fashion business can profit from circular economy..................................................... 14 Hit Summer in Style with Jydepotten .............................................................................. 16 20 Ways to FOCUS this summer: Are you up for the challenge? ....................................... 20 Vacation Mood On: A List of Denmark’s Best Beaches..................................................... 24 Three Saints And A Panda – Interview with Your Local Music Band................................ 26 FOCUS Summer Playlist!................................................................................................. 28 The Faces Behind Facebook: The Things We Hide from Social Media ............................... 30 5 Types of People You’ll Inevitably Date.......................................................................... 32 Superstitions Around the World........................................................................................ 34 Quiz - Which Country Fits Your Style?.............................................................................. 38 10 Tips on How to Become a Fitness Freak ....................................................................... 40

EXECUTIVE EDITOR SUB-EDITOR

Cristina Maria Alexander Moroz

CHAIRMAN

Edvard Lucius Tramsen

CREATIVE TEAM

WRITERS TEAM

Alexander Moroz Olga Mangurova Tatiana Coelho de Oliveira Plamena Somova Odette Charles El-Hayek Janis Zirnitis Alma Biseniece Petra Famlerova

Cristina Maria Alexandra Munteanu Vanessa Kovacs Ugne Tusaite Makaila Stierlin

MARKETING TEAM

SALES TEAM

Sonata Stackunaite

Aleksandra Abratanska

Text Cristina Maria Photo Enclave Monarchy

Enclave Monarchy Unless youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been gone from Facebook in the past few weeks, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s impossible for you to not have heard of Enclave Monarchy. New to the game but by no means a newbie, this brand has been making the rounds in VIA with their smashing new collection and an electrifying fashion show. FOCUS is here to turn on the spotlight and shine some light on their journey, inspiration and next steps. Read on and find out!

worth the effort; there is no one right answer. We can only continue to guess, observe, be inspired, and create.

1. Who is Enclave Monarchy? Enclave Monarchy is a Danish fashion brand, established in 2016. It’s owned by Michael Damgaard, handball player in the Danish national handball team; Karo Kurrani, a BA Fashion Design student at VIA Design; and Ilva Indrikova, his fellow BA Pattern Design student. The company designs and creates clothing for men and women, while blending modern aesthetics with uncompromised comfort. Based on unaltered honesty, the designs embrace contrasting characteristics in order to showcase a compatible link between classic and contemporary. Balancing on the edge of hidden rebellion, the products embody classical elements, while adding their own unconventional values. They are made for confident, strong, and honest individuals, who are not afraid to embrace different perspectives.

2. What made you decide to start this brand? One of the owners of the brand, Michael Damgaard, is a Danish national handball player. Some of his friends knew we are studying fashion and that he was interested in starting a fashion brand. Combining our skills and Michael’s personality sounded like a strong starting point, so we decided to go for it. The team went through a few lineups, but now we’re at a point where we feel that the three of us and our combined knowledge and skills make for a perfect mix.

The concept is to explore Time, Change, Transition, and Contrast. Some say time is an illusion. And just how exactly does time work? As we grow older, we slowly see things change around us and within us – is change time? Either way, they are undeniably linked. Fashion and clothing is a way to state in which period of time we belong. It’s a tool to distinguish between certain opinions, and it’s a way to match the inside with the outside. When times change, a deeper transition occurs.

The common motivation is to create quality products starting with the design, the manufacturing process, and down to the personal connection with the people who wear Enclave Monarchy. From a personal point of view, it’s about having the freedom to make our own decisions, manage the time however we see fit, bring our designs to life, and connect to people with our story. We also want to make it fresh and new, with details that catch the eye. To create the universe surrounding our brand, we decided to offer

This creates contrast between elements. Sometimes, the contrast is a small fuzzy, overlap and at other times, it is a massive gap. It can happen in a second or take years. It exists for an unknown period of time and then is gone. Enclave Monarchy exists to explore, capture, and channel these concepts into a physical form. Capturing concepts as vast as time, change, and transition. Contrast is not an easy task, but this is exactly why it’s

a fresh twist on menswear. Our inspiration comes from combining classical elements with contemporary streetwear and placing them in perfect harmony by finding a balance between the two. We treasure the freedom to communicate our values and ideas in ways that creates special bonds with the wearer.

communicating with production companies. Of course, there are a lot of things to find out along the way in the working process (for example, purchasing), but our studies have definitely given us a base to build upon and an idea of how and where to find necessary information and guidance.

3. How has your VIA Design experience helped you so far? Studies in VIA have given us technical knowledge about fashion, as well as insight into the business and management side of starting a brand. Karo, who is the designer

4. Who is Enclave Monarchy’s muse? Your ideal wearer perhaps or your inspiration? Our muse is Michael Damgaard, as a personification of dedication, strength, confidence, and humbleness at the same time. Michael is very dedicated to his career and family. He is very successful, but he is also an extremely nice, humble, and positive person. This combination is very inspiring to us. Our clothes are made for confident, strong individuals. Someone who knows their value. Someone who pays attention to details but doesn’t necessarily want to stand out from the crowd too much because there is no need to seek attention for attention’s sake. A self-aware individual who is confident in their own strengths and has respect towards others. Someone who embraces the future. That’s our muse. 5. We’ve noticed some pretty cool product names: Kenopsia, Alien Spring, Tellurian. Can you tell us a bit about their meaning and you came up with these names? The names have a meaning behind them. We tried to capture the mood of our story with some keywords that represent the idea of a strong, independent, confident man. For example, Tellurian means an inhabitant of Earth, which is our place in the Universe. It represents the fact that we are all here together - we are all Tellurians. Alien Spring is a touch of the unknown. Orka means having strength, will, and stamina,

and creative director, studies Fashion Design in the BA programme, which has given him the necessary tools to develop a collection and create a universe around it. Ilva, a Pattern Design BA student, has a lot more information about product development aspects, material knowledge, and

showcasing the strength of an individual. Candor means the quality of being open and honest, which is one of the cornerstone qualities of our persona. Kenopsia is a place that is usually bustling with people but is now abandoned and quiet; this is a reminder to get out of the crowd and have some time with your own thoughts, your own decisions and conclusions. It is a reminder to listen to your own voice, your own thoughts, keeping the connection with Yourself. Luminous means giving off light, being bright or shining. This describes the way we think people should interact with each other - with love, respect, and enlightenment, illuminating and inspiring others. And Natty is used when describing someone or something as smart and fashionable, well designed or clever; because after all, we have a lot of love for fashion. This is our main collection and, all in all, the names help create a feeling of unity. They have a profound meaning attached to them, much like the items they are attached to. 6. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the next step? Any plans for a brick-and-mortar expansion or is it online all the way? Our second collection is going to be available in selected boutiques across Denmark, but we are also keeping our own webshop. We are looking into the possibility of having our products in selected multi-brand online stores. There are so many directions that the brand can go in. We are always looking for the best ways to move forward, while keeping in mind our values. We want to find solutions and directions that are in harmony with our vision of how our business should work. But in the not-so-far-away future, we are planning to go big and go strong!

Bring ideas to life VIA Design

VIA University College

See pictures from projects and every day study life at #viadesign on Instagram.

@viauniversitycollege @via_design

t s a P e h T m B last Fro

Text Cristina Maria Photo Oplevo

ince this is our 20th issue, FOCUS has decided to bring back one of our In The Spotlight alumni and check out what they’ve been up to lately! Oplevo, our favourite startup (Shhh! Just don’t tell all our other favourites) is here to update you on their stellar ascent.

marketing, business development, and marketplace dynamics. It’s truly a win-win situation, because we grow our professional network and gain knowledge from mentors and other startup companies. Furthermore, Herning is a great city with loads of ambitious business professionals, and we like this a lot.

Hi! And thank you for the opportunity to tell you the next chapter of our story!

2. How have your skills and your business evolved since we last spoke? The business has evolved a lot since our last interview. Actually, we are now running two different businesses. Our latest startup is called Zen Media, which we founded together with Mathias Riis. It’s a datadriven marketing agency focusing on high return on investment for our customers. Mainly we are generating high quality leads for our B2B customers using Facebook Advertising, Google Adwords, and Marketing

1. First things first, are you two still living in good ol' H-town? Why/Why not? Yes, Martin is living in Herning and I have relocated to Aalborg. Our company is still located in Herning, where we’re part of the fast growing Startup Hub called Wildskab. The reason why we choose to stay here is to engage ourselves in the local startup community. We aim to grow together with the great people running it. In Wildskab, we are the so-called gatekeepers, and we provide the hub with knowledge and expertise within

Automation. The company was founded due to high demand in the market. We were constantly asked to help solve others companies’ marketing issues, so we decided to make a profit on our knowledge, which we’ve gained from running our previous projects. Then Mathias came along and showed great expertise in online marketing, especially concerning search engine optimization (SEO). The three of us felt we had all the competences needed to start a successful marketing agency – so we did just that on 1. February 2017. We’ve gained a lot of knowledge from operating within the consultancy industry. It’s a whole new way for us to run a business because we now have to focus on helping other businesses succeed within their industries. It’s a great challenge. 3. Is there still room for budding young entrepreneurs to start their own business? Thanks to our roles at Wildskab, we do a lot of mentoring, and we’re always open to help young, ambitious entrepreneurs grow their

Martin

business. At least, we try to help them avoid some some of the many mistakes we’ve made ourselves. Our mantra is to always help if we can! We know how a slight push in the right direction can lead to valuable lessons. Sometimes, you even gain a lesson from the young entrepreneurs yourself. So come ask us anything! We would love to help. And if you really want to start your own business but just need the right idea, we’ve filled an entire book with all the ideas we don’t have the time to pursue. 4. What's your work motto? I’ll use an old quote from Steve Jobs which I think is absolutely epic: “Life can be much broader once you discover one simple fact: everything around you that you call life was made up by people that were no smarter than you, and you can change it, you can influence it, you can build your own things that other people can use. Once you learn that, you’ll never be the same again.”

Mathias

Rehmi

A NONtrepreneur in a World of Entrepreneurs Text Cristina Maria Illustration Odette Charles El-Hayek

ary Vaynerchuk’s voice blares out of the speakers, drowning the sounds of the Danish summer. His thick Jersey accent is enough to make you forget about the windy mess outside and how it’s only occasionally poked by sunshine. He’s certainly a man of substance, but listening to his podcasts makes you wonder what kind of substance exactly. For some, it’s liquid gold. The optimists, the dreamers of far-flung dreams, the ones who know it in their soul that they were made to win. His constant, loud, Marvel punchline kind of speech is a dose of energy for them, the only push they need to get out of bed, past the door and start doing stuff with their lives. Gary speaks to those who feel that all it takes to make it is to sit down and do it, that hustling day and night will inevitably lead to success. For others, however, that substance is pure craziness. The cynics, the realists, those who listen to reason and reason alone – they’re everyone’s favourite party poopers. They’ll let you know how many other people already had your idea and exactly how much better their execution was. Oh, they’re hustlers too, alright! Except, they’ll be working day and night researching all the ways a project can go up in smoke.

There is no right or wrong way to be. Truth is, success needs balance and neither the blind visionary nor the eternal sourpuss ever make it in the true sense of the word. It’s important to believe in your idea like it’s the best thing since sliced bread, but acknowledging your idea’s shortcomings only means that you’re prepared to come up with solutions, no matter the situation. It’s gotta be said, however, that it’s a tough world out there for the latter. With the proliferation of startups (you know things just got real when made-up words lose their hyphen), the number of entrepreneurs has

naturally grown and, alongside it, a curious cult has developed. No kid out there wants to be an astronaut anymore.They all want to be businessmen and women. And just like they mistook the decades of effort astronauts put in for an “easy” job, most people fail to understand what exactly it means to be an entrepreneur. Sure thing, it’s nice to work towards something you care about and which holds a deep meaning for you. Whether it’s a conscious fashion brand or your cat’s Instagram, finding a true purpose in your work is today’s “happily ever after”. But in glorifying this position, all of its shortcomings are glossed over and, in the end, we’re left with the kind of social media pastiche – everything is “a copy of a copy of a copy” - that everyone knows is fake and yet somehow still strives to attain.

they’re getting into. That’s why if you do happen to be one, if by some accident of nature or nurture, you don’t really want to reinvent the wheel but you’d sure love to help someone else do it, then go forth and do that. Research all the ways that something can go wrong, so that when it does, you’ve got it all figured out for your hopeless, creative optimist. I’m sure that all my cynics would agree: there are few words sweeter in this world than “I told you so. Now let me fix it.” Hustle day and night, but always hustle in your own way.

Traditional employment is abhorred today. “9 to 5” used to describe a stable job schedule but is now the definition of boring, wasted lives. It summons flashbacks of cubicles and cheap office coffee, of strict dress codes and grumpy colleagues. But does this still apply to a generation raised in open spaces with handy Nespresso machines? It’s worth considering that being your own boss means your boss is constantly next to you, breathing down your neck, whispering that you can’t possibly leave your phone in the other room. Your boss is with you at the office, in your car, and when you’re brunching on avocado toast with company money. He sees you when you’re sleeping, he knows when you’re awake, and if you’re awake, then you better be working or you’re never getting on that Forbes list. It’s hard to be a nontrepreneur in a world of entrepreneurs who don’t quite know what

What is circular economy and how fashion businesses can profit from it

mak

use

Text Cristina Dan Illustration Olga Mangurova

the reuse recover recycle

hat makes the world go round these days? Circularity is a topic long-discussed at fashion summits and trade shows, and “closing the loop” is a term that brings more and more value to brands all over the world. Some may think it’s a trend, so they just go with it. They invest a little for the sake of greenwashing and think they gained a bigger market share. Others, however, genuinely believe that this is the future, and they actually make it work. The difference between the two is that the latter can understand the benefits of it.

First things first, a circular economy is a new economic model that offers a balanced industrial ecosystem, one that essentially mimics natural ecosystems. As opposed to the current linear economy (take, make, use, dispose), the goal in a circular economy is to radically limit the extraction of raw materials and the production of waste. This can be done by aiming to increase product life and recovering or reusing as many products and materials active in the market as possible, in a systematic and cyclical way, over and over again.

But what are these circular advantages and how can you as a designer or consumer make use of them? Here are just a few tips to get you started.

According to the World Economic Forum, “the economic benefit of transitioning to this new model is estimated to be worth more than one trillion dollars in material savings”.

If we design our businesses following the principles of circularity, we get to reuse raw materials instead of constantly buy new ones. Furthermore, if we focus more on the services that go with our products, such as maintenance or reuse (for example, renting instead of selling clothes), we can save on precious resources while still making a profit and without flooding the market with new products. This would both protect the ecosystem and bring value to the consumer! Transitioning to a circular economy also has an immensely positive impact on our ecosystem. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) acknowledges that human activities have an increasing influence on Earth’s climate. Global warming is no longer assumed. It is a fact, and the fashion industry is one of the biggest contributors to this problem, being highly intensive in use of land, water, and energy. Dear reader, it is important for you to understand that, as a designer or as a consumer, you are a direct contributor to this effect. We all are. However, by finding ways to transform what we normally consider waste into valuable, reusable material, we can ensure the security of our environment, our planet, and its natural resources for a long, long time to come.

We have always linked growth to cheap available resources, but these resources are becoming more and more scarce, as we have already exceeded three of the nine planetary boundaries. “We estimate that humanity has already transgressed three planetary boundaries: for climate change, rate of biodiversity loss, and changes to the global nitrogen cycle,” confirms the research conducted under “Planetary Boundaries: Exploring the Safe Operating Space for Humanity”. Using innovation, technology, and new business models, this is where we all must come together to emphasize the need to move away from our desperate resource dependency and instead move towards new patterns of thinking and living that involve product life extension, reusability, repair, and focusing more on services rather than products. The potential gains are loud and clear. By changing our old habits and choosing to operate our businesses on the basis of circular economy, we get to emphasize the inherent economic value of products throughout their lifetime, while offering increased customer value and taking better care of our planet.

the

Hit Summer 2 with Jydepotten Text Odette Charles El-Hayek Photo Jydepotten Between the Lines One of the most popular summer 2017 trends appears to be STRIPES. No matter if they’re chaotic, bursting with colors, or all suit-and-tie trimmed like a made for Wall Street outfit. Step up your fashion game by introducing at least one of these “Must Have” items to your wardrobe. Read between the lines in your own way. It doesn’t matter if you choose the ultimate trend - bare shoulders blouses or a classy pants pieces, it’s all in! That “Lemonade” Again A year after Beyonce’s glorious Lemonade, the fashion world has brought to us the YELLOW trend. So, cheer up! No matter your skin tone, hair color, or even if your ex cheated on you, you can dip yourself in this bitter-sweet color and rock your summer! Millennial Pink Yes! Finally! The new century’s black is PINK. Not just any pink but the ashy, baby pastel pink you already started spotting EVERYWHERE! Pink has always been a preferred feminine color, yet this year it’s a true celebration for

Author: Odette Charles El-Hayek

both sexes and for all ages. Mix and match your new century pink pants, pink blouse, pink shoes, pink shades, pink bag… Oh boy, if Barbie was alive! Peek-a-Shoulder Since summer 2017 is the season of bare shoulders, we also have the SINGLE SHOULDER trend. You decide how to expose it – be it a simple cut in the shoulder line or a good old off-the-shoulder flash. Go and find your cheeky outfit to manifest that shoulder flesh. The Pure White Robe Well... not literally pure and not literally a robe, yet the message is clear. It should be WHITE and it should be WIDE. The trend introduces the ultimate summer garment color, the very definition of lightness and carefree attitudes: white. You choose how and where! Wear it in the city to soften that dry urban heat or over your swimming suit on the way to the beach. White can and will take everything you add to it.

2017 In Style Between the Lines

Saint Tropez DKK 399,95

Saint Tropez DKK 149,95

Saint Tropez DKK 349,95

Co couture DKK 399,95

Second Female DKK 499,95

That “Lemonade” Again

Furst DKK 199,95

Millennial Pink

Neo Noir DKK 499,95

Cero DKK 499,95

Neo Noir DKK 399,95

Karen By Simonsen DKK 399,95

Soaked in Luxury DKK 199,95

BITTE KAI RAND DKK 799,95

Saint Tropez DKK 499,95

Peek-a-Shoulder

In Front DKK 499,95

The Pure White Robe

Fitflop DKK 899,95

20 WAYS TO FOCUS THIS SUMMER: ARE YOU UP FOR THE CHALLENGE?

Text Maria Nielsen Photo Pexels

his is the 20th issue of FOCUS Student Magazine, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re so excited to share it with you. The magazine couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have made it this far without you, the awesome readers! So to celebrate, we want to inspire and entertain you with 20 adventurous ideas that are sure to make your summer incredible. See how many challenges you can cross off this list before you hit the books again in September. Share your thoughts with us by posting your experiences on Instagram using #20waystofocus17!

FILM-FAVES CHALLENGE:

TASTEBUD CHALLENGE:

See 3 of your friends’ favorite movies. Ask 3 people what movie has had a special impact on them, or what movie they could watch again and again. If you’ve already seen it, have them list their top picks until you discover one you haven’t seen. Watch each movie with your friend (or by yourself, if you like) – just don’t forget the popcorn!

Try an international recipe. Ask your international friends about some of their favorite dishes from back home. Pick one and make it together!

GENDER-BENDER CHALLENGE: Find a friend of the opposite gender and do something with them that you might not normally do. If you’re a guy, get a manicure with a girl friend (It usually includes a hand massage, and you don’t have to get polish if you don’t want to!). If you’re a girl, try a new sport or video game with a guy friend – or maybe just leave the bra at home and put on a pair of boxers for the day!

R.A.K. CHALLENGE:

Do something nice for someone. R.A.K. stands for Random Act of Kindness. Pay for someone’s coffee, give a stranger a compliment, give away that one gift card to the boutique you never shop at.

LIFE-OF-THE-PARTY CHALLENGE: Be the host and plan an event. Have a little party, or maybe just invite people over for dinner. So what if your apartment is cramped! Don’t be afraid to get close and cozy.

MINI-VACAY CHALLENGE: Take a friend and spend a day (or a weekend) in another city. Aarhus? Copenhagen? Skagen? Odense? Explore Denmark, or explore another country if you’re feeling super adventurous! Feeling broke? Take a journey to the other side of town and look for things you maybe haven’t noticed before.

NEW-PATHS CHALLENGE: Find a different way home. Change it up! Don’t take your normal route but look for new options instead. Take some twists and turns, spend some extra time. While looking for other paths, enjoy the scenery! You never know what you might discover.

CHEAP-SKATE CHALLENGE: Attend a free event in your city. It can be anything – but you get extra points if it’s something you haven’t tried before!

LOCAL CHALLENGE: Try a new bar or restaurant. You know the place you always pass by and ignore. Time to walk in.

DO-PEOPLE-ACTUALLYLIKE-THIS? CHALLENGE: Whether it’s a book, movie, series, or just a song, try a new genre. Pick a genre you haven’t tried before or don’t think you would like. Maybe one you’ve never even heard of! Keep an open mind during the experience.

RAISE-THE-BAR CHALLENGE: The next time you’re in the city, order a new drink! Hunt for something interesting or unusual. Ask the bartender what he or she recommends.

UNPLUG CHALLENGE:

HELLO CHALLENGE:

Go completely tech-free for 24 hours. No Facebook, no Netflix, no Snapchat – no phone, no computer, no TV. I know it’s scary but people have survived this. Dare to unplug and see what happens in those 24 hours. I promise you’ll feel refreshed.

Get to know the people around you. Is there anyone you’ve noticed around school or around town? Anyone you think might be fun or interesting? Anyone who might be lonely or missing home? Ask to get a cup of coffee with them or invite them along the next time you’re out with friends. Be daring! It’s not always easy for people to start a conversation and make new friends. The more you do it, the better you get.

GREEN CHALLENGE: Buy something organic. The next time you go grocery shopping, try buying one organic item – milk, eggs, yoghurt, chicken, broccoli, apples, pasta? If you already buy organic, try to find an item you didn’t know was available organic. Organic beer anyone?

10-AGAIN CHALLENGE: Give yourself permission to be a kid again for one day. Play! Think about the things you loved when you were a child. Have a sleepover. Build a fort. Watch Disney movies all day. Have candy for breakfast. Play with LEGOs. Go outside and climb a tree, play football or hide-and-seek.

BABBLE CHALLENGE: Dub your own movie or show. Find a friend, pick something to watch, mute the TV, and then take turns putting your own words in the characters’ mouths. This works best with a movie you’ve never seen – the worse the acting, the better!

YES CHALLENGE: Say yes to the next invite you get, whatever it may be! A festival, a birthday party, a local event on Facebook? Do everything you can to make it happen. You could end up doing something you haven’t tried before. Sometimes a yes can change your whole life! Other times, it just gets you out of the house.

SPEAK-YOUR-MIND CHALLENGE: Write a review online. Your opinion makes a difference. Share it with others and let your voice be heard. Tell the internet about a product you liked or write about your favorite café – or call out a company that you think could be doing a better job!

WORK-FOR-FREE CHALLENGE: Volunteer for a day! Perhaps at a festival? There are many festivals in Denmark during the summer where you can volunteer for a certain number of hours and gain free entry. Definitely a win-win situation!

SUMMER-OF-LOVE CHALLENGE: Go on a date! If you have a boyfriend or girlfriend, spoil them by planning an extra special date. Sweep them off their feet. If you’re single, let this challenge get you out of your comfort zone. Ask that one person you’ve had your eye on – or just hop on Tinder and see what’s out there! (If you’ve broken up recently or just aren’t ready for romance, go on a “date” with a good friend.) Have a blast together and forget the rest of the world for a night.

You've got to go to

the City! 175 SHOPS

50 PLACES TO EAT

2500 FREE P-PLACES

CITY EVENTS: 11. August: Herning City Bicycle race All shops open til 20.00 19. August: Happiest dog in Herning at Torvet street 2. September: Denmark's longest market at Torvet street 9. September: Horse carriages in City Come to see or to take a ride 29. September: Open by Night in Herning City til 22.00 Find us at facebook/herningcity or instagram @herningcity

See more about City events at www.herningcity.dk

Vacation Mood On:

A List of Denmark's Best Beaches Text Vanessa Kovacs Photo Pexels

Søndervig

ummer in Denmark can be extremely unpredictable, and when the sun is shining, there is no time to hesitate: you have to enjoy and make your day superhyggelig. It’s good to have a plan for a one day vacation, when summertime sets in. We collected some wonderful ideas for you so you know where to take a dip in the water on the occasional dog days of this beautiful country.

Sønderhav Sønderhav is located close to the German border, and it has a beach where the waves meet under your feet. You can try walking on water and experience this unusual phenomenon. It’s a small but fun beach, with delicious ice cream and a breathtaking view.

Sønderborg Watching the sunset in a cozy harbor on a warm summer night? Long pier, outdoor gym, bicycle path by the sea… Sønderborg is a magical little place in the southern part of the country. Always smiling people, a

quiescent beach, a cozy walking street.This is the perfect place for getting a good rest.

Søndervig The smell of the salty sea and the voice of the waves enchants everyone in Søndervig. The sand is bright white, and you can walk far away through the shallow water. Here you can get a beautiful sun tan and enjoy the atmosphere of a top seashore in Denmark.

Aarhus - Den Permanente Beach If your ideal beach-day is a bit more pulsing and eventful, then Aarhus is for you. This beautiful seaside town has everything you need for a summer holiday: waterfront, nightlife, great shopping opportunities, and amazing local restaurants. Keep to the Danish fashion and bike your way through this beautiful city. Walk on the soft, white sand with a beer in hand and run into the water to get the real Danish summer experience.

Aarhus

Søndervig

Aarhus

Sønderhav

Sønderborg

Text Alexandra Munteanu Photo 3 Saints and a Panda

Saints And A Panda An Interview With Your Local Band

Your band has a very interesting name. What does it mean and how did you come up with it? 3SAP: Our name comes from a brainstorming session when our band first met up. We wanted something that would stand out and make people ask exactly that question! We started out as 4 people, and that’s why it’s called 1 panda and 3 saints – but after one of our vocalists decided to leave, we decided to keep the name because it’s so catchy and easy to remember. Can you tell us about how you met and what inspired you to make music together? 3SAP: Actually, we met quite randomly. Lasse had been talking with the Friday Bar at school about playing some live music, and he decided to find out who might be

interested in playing together by posting on Facebook. We were the only 3 that replied to the post, and then we just decided to meet up and see if we “clicked”, you know? And we did! We had so much fun right from the beginning, so we just continued and are still going strong today. If you were to use one word to describe your music, what would that be? 3SAP: Passionate. Being in a band is tough work, no doubt. What is your biggest motivation? 3SAP: What motivates us most is how much fun we have together – the social part. We absolutely love performing and interacting with the audience, and seeing them respond to our music.

Can you tell us what projects you are currently working on? 3SAP: We are working on building two strong sets of party and reception songs, so we can always be prepared for new gigs, and also to develop our skills. Could you briefly describe your creative process? 3SAP: Our creative process is all about feelings and experimenting with our voices and instruments. Sometimes we just find a song we really love and then try different versions of it, testing out how it would sound best. Improvisation is also a big part of our process, because it helps us stay open-minded and creative, doing our own thing. What can you tell us about the instruments you use for your music? 3SAP: We use mostly a guitar as our starting point and then add the voices. Karin and Antonina have very different timbres, so it’s often quite interesting to hear them sing the same song, because it just gives a totally new quality to it.

music, favourite bands, and performers; but we are united in the same value of combining our experiences and using them to create great music. Do you have any upcoming shows? Not at the moment, because we have been focusing on building our repertoire. For future gigs, we would love to do private events such as birthdays and parties, but also reception style gigs like new openings and weddings. What is your favourite thing about playing live? 3SAP: The energy we get from our live shows is so amazing. Playing music together and hanging out on stage is just the best experience. Seeing the audience singing along and giving us so much great feedback during and after the show is the best validation of our work! And where do you dream to be in the future? 3SAP: We want to do more private parties, more weddings, and more official gigs!

What about musical influences? Do you have any icons that have shaped your evolution as musicians? 3SAP: Each of us has completely different perspectives when it comes to our musical influences because we all have different backgrounds. We all have our own take on

Some quick-fire questions. You have 3 seconds to answer. Ready, set, go! • Best love song: “More Than Words” by Extreme – Super cheesy, but a classic! • Most overrated musician: Kendric Lamar

• Worst earworm (Note: an earworm is a song you hate that inevitably gets stuck in your head): Justin Bieber’s “Despacito” • A band you’d like to open a concert for: Maroon 5 • Your dream music video: The Dumplings’ “Technicolor Yawn”

Text by Cristina Maria Illustrations by Tatiana Coelho de Oliveira

“A summer song has a special sounding, it gives you a feeling of freedom, it reminds you of your wildest adventures, it makes you wanna dance. This summer Latin rhythms are my main favourite, particularly La Carretera by Prince Royce.” Ildikó Kinga Péter

“I once danced naked to the song ‘I Want to Dance with Somebody’ by Whitney Houston with a few of my girlfriends, while we were getting ready to go into the city. I laugh whenever I think about that hilarious and silly moment. Everytime I hear the song, I feel happy and energetic. Now, when my friends and I are in the city and this song plays, we MUST dance to it.” Julie Andersen

“For me, a summer playlist always includes Skrillex. Each of their songs radiates active, positive vibes, which remind me of summer festivals. My favorite song is called “Mind” and it never gets old. I really enjoyed Skrillex’s collaboration with Kai, she has an amazing voice . Every time I listen to it, my mind is simply blown away. Definitely my summer mood starts with one of their songs.” Oana Toudu.

“I love songs that connect me to an experience. When I think about summer, ironically enough, I’m thinking of a song that I heard for the first time in January. It is ‘Kizunguzungu’ by SaRaha, which I heard on a holiday to Gran Canaria. It just brings a smile to my face and reminds me of the sun, the pool, and relaxation. I’m Danish, so I don’t really understand what they are singing, but the energy is magical, and I just feel like eating ice cream and singing while wearing amazing sunglasses.”

“When it comes to music, I am sort of old school. Thinking about summer, one song comes to mind that is very dear to my heart. ‘D’yer Mak’er’ by Led Zeppelin takes me back 11 years to the day I first met my boyfriend and enjoyed an amazing seaside rock festival in Bulgaria. It is a song about love, but not cheesy. It is upbeat, funky, with an undeniable sweetness about it. Give it a try and you’ll almost be able to feel sand under your feet, bright sunshine, and spicy sea breeze.”

Nanna Knak Sondrup

Simona Daniela

Text by Maria Nielsen Illustrations by Tatiana Coelho de Oliveira

Sadness. Uncertainty. Disappointment. Hardship. Loneliness.

hese are things we don’t often see when we browse through our social media feeds. On Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat, we are used to seeing smiling faces, beautiful and exotic photos, and happy posts filled with silliness, excitement and accomplishment. Everyone’s lives are moving forward smoothly, and people seem to have everything figured out. That is… everyone except you. Let’s face it. You don’t always seem to measure up. People are busy living life and enjoying it to the fullest – and they look great doing it! Meanwhile, some days you can’t figure out the simplest things – sometimes you don’t even have the energy to tackle the day ahead of you. Social media is both a blessing and a curse. It is powerful, fun and inspiring. With it, we can connect with one another like never before. But it also gives us the ability to edit reality. With social media, we can choose which parts of our lives we want to share. We have the power to decide what people see and don’t see; and sometimes what people see is not the truth – or at least, not the whole truth. It is natural to want to fit in. We are, after all, human. We want to feel loved and accepted. Most of us are attracted to and want to be surrounded by happy, confident, beautiful people. Why, then, would we want to show our face to the world in the moments when we feel

ugliest? Why would we want to publicly share our feelings on the days when we are most unhappy, most vulnerable? Society constantly reminds us to smile – to fill our days with joy, beauty, excitement, and love. What society doesn’t tell us is that sometimes it’s okay to not be okay. It’s okay to fail, to have bitter thoughts, and to have bad days. We broadcast our greatest moments for the world to see; but what should we do with the moments that aren’t so ideal? Is it okay to hide these moments? Pretend they don’t exist? Should we edit them into perfection until they fit in with the rest? Even though we understand the wonderful lives we see online are not really perfect, we usually don’t realize the extent of the illusions we build for each other. It’s so easy to forget that the fun-filled posts and stunning photos we see on screen are actually just highlights in the lives of other people – capturing the best of the best, while the less exciting, less glamorous, day-to-day drudgery is not shared quite as often. So, through the filtered lens of social media, everyone seems to have everything figured out, including you. We must always be aware of the effects of this “idyllic illusion” on social media. The truth is, we are flawed but fantastic. All of us! We should accept ourselves under every circumstance and love ourselves unconditionally. Do not compare yourself to what you see on screen. If you want to be better, compare yourself to who you were yesterday. When you wake up in the morning, strive to be better than you were the day before – not better than the people who fill up your Facebook and Instagram feeds. The truths and half-truths posted online should never have the power to tell you how beautiful you are, how capable or smart you are, how happy you are, or how awesome your life is. Social media is a wonderful tool, but it is certainly not a tool used for measuring.

Types of People

YOU’LL INEVITABLY DATE

Text and Ilustration Odette Charles El Hayek

ince summer has finally arrived (yes, even here in Denmark), let’s talk about some hot topics! One of the most discussed matters of summer is amore, amour, kærlighed, or simply – love. You know that feeling of weak knees, butterflies in your stomach, lust, or whatever it is. Now, I’m not an expert in any way whatsoever, but I have carefully gathered some extensive, trustworthy research and came up with 5 types of people one will inevitably date at some point or another. Take it as a warning, nod your head in empathy, and reminisce about both your good and bad experiences. Enjoy! Warning! Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Regret

100% Bad Decision When Overused

1. THE PARTY ROMANCE

2. MR./MRS. TAKEN/ NOT TAKEN

Numero uno on the list is certainly the top one – the one you met at that party, being a “bit” tipsy (drunk on double vision level). Whatever happened, somehow you managed to turn the drunken flirt into a real date and came to the realization that alcohol is a cruel substitute for love, never to be used again. The magic cloak created by alcoholic intoxication disappears and let’s be honest: at this point we all swear we’ll never EVER drink again. That is, until the next party!

In order to experience this one, you need a girlfriend/boyfriend relationship. The length of said relationship is unspecified because it doesn’t matter how long you’ve dated or how brand new your relationship is. They will somehow find somebody on Tinder to chat up because you’re a modern couple with unconventional rules. They will smile to the hottie in the shop and buy drinks for that person they met at the party you didn’t go to. They will laugh smooth-

ly when you notice the messages on their phone, filled with more heart emojis than even you’d send. You will hear “don’t worry about it” (and similar phrases) at least once or twice a week. Clearly locking them up and away from all temptations isn’t a practical solution. But if your significant other is known better for flirting with others than for being your other functional half of the word ‘couple’ – it’s time for action.

3.THE ONE YOU NEED A RESTRAINING ORDER FOR Have you ever dated somebody for awhile until you felt the urge to run away before receiving another red rose on your weekly anniversary? Did you ever go to a family dinner with somebody’s parents for your first date? Has anyone ever checked your family’s finances on a governmental web page afterwards? If you’ve ever come across this suffocating type, even if you’ve ended everything, the game often doesn’t stop there! They randomly show up and always find a topic to text you about.They like that photo you posted two years ago. They create new social media profiles to contact you after you’ve blocked them eight times in a row. You know the type - and if you’re one of these specimens, get a life!

If you’ve ever found yourself being number x, I hope you didn’t even bother finishing the math equation. I like to believe that when karma is slow, at some point she comes around with increased interest.

5. THE ONE THAT’S NEVER THERE TO START WITH Yes, the lost one that theoretically dates you, but practically convinces you that those steamy romantic moments are expressions of deep friendship. Sometimes they’re around, sometimes months pass and you wonder if they’re still alive, but they rise with flowers out of the blue and your heart trembles. Cut it! At this point you’re raising a stray cat who goes on adventures across the neighborhood, but comes back as soon as they get bored and need a bowl of good-old easy “they’ll always be there”.

4. THE CASANOVA CHRONICLES They say life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get, blah, blah… The problem with some people is that they’re too greedy and murder the whole box, chocolate after chocolate, with a snap. That type dates for the sport of hooking up.

IF FOUND KEEP IT!

Text Ugne Tusaite Ilustration Plamena Somova

a crowd of students dealing with exams and other casualties, a lot of us tend to have our own little tricks to help ease our minds. It is a so-called protective mechanism. It helps to ignore the fact that you simply did not study for that economics exam, which you surprisingly failed… It is all clear. The black cat crossed your path on the way to the class that same morning, and it just could not be

a coincidence… Right? Superstitions carry a great deal of tradition from ages past. Some would dare to call them a national treasure and pride. So I would love to take the opportunity to enlighten you! As Derek Shepherd would say: “It’s a beautiful day to save lives.” So just out of pure helpfulness, let me introduce you to 20 more excuses from all around the world!

Spain It is believed that eating 12 grapes on the stroke of midnight will bring you 12 months of good luck. Although I heard many people prefer to drink 12 glasses of wine. It’s still made out of grapes, right? Also, Hispanics say that Tuesday the 13th is the unlucky day. I totally agree. Fridays are a sacred time, and no number could make them less special or lucky.

an movement has something to do with the marketing of this myth.

Germany To toast with a glass of water means you are wishing death upon everyone you are drinking with. Don’t mess with Germans. Get a beer.

Serbia

Russia

Instead of toasting with water, spill your drink behind someone’s back! In Serbia it’s believed that it will bring that person good luck.

If you find a bird’s poo on your car, your property - or even yourself - will bring you fortune. Russians also believe that gifting yellow flowers is considered to be a relationship curse, as they symbolize infidelity. To be honest, it does seem a bit harsh to put so much blame on some innocent bouquet. On the other hand, many of us are rethinking those “I’m sorry flowers”, I’m sure.

Netherlands Lending salt to a neighbor is considered to be bad luck. So if they were playing that annoying music last night, now you know what to do.

India Keeping up with the theme, in India it is considered unlucky to get a haircut on Tuesday. Someone important must have gotten a really bad hair day a few hundred years ago. According to Indian tradition, newlywed couples must compete to be the first to find a ring in a large bowl of milk. The prize? The winner gets to wear the “pants” in the relationship.

Dutch people also believe that you can’t sing at the dinner table because it is thought that you are singing to the devil, which will cause a food shortage for you. Food is important, so don’t mess with that, you might end up having to eat goat’s meat, and that’s not a pretty life.

Lithuania Whistling indoors is thought to summon devils and bring you to hell for terrorizing others. I personally love this superstition. Devils or no devils, whistling could save your sanity once in awhile.

Ireland

Rwanda Women avoid eating goat’s meat because they believe that if they do, it will cause them to grow facial hair. Perhaps the veg-

The legendary Blarney Stone at Ireland’s Blarney Castle attracts visitors who kiss

the stone to get the gifts of good luck and eloquence. Visitors who want its good luck must walk to the top of the castle, lean backwards, and hold on to a railing so their lips can reach the stone. Because life is not complicated enough...

Japan The Japanese believe that accidentally breaking a bottle of alcohol brings good luck and higher profits. Intentionally knocking alcohol bottles onto the floor won’t work it has to be an accident. I don’t know anyone who would do it on purpose though. A bottle of tequila can bring you just as much happiness without being broken.

Korea Even medical professionals in Korea subscribe to the superstition that falling asleep with a fan on will result in your imminent death due to hypothermia. I’m sure air conditioning companies don’t subscribe to this superstition at all.

China In China, as well as a host of surrounding Asian countries, the number four is avoided whenever possible. That’s because in some East Asian languages, the word for four is extremely similar to the word for death.

Eastern World In many places from Turkey to India, it’s unlucky to cut your nails at night. In fact, this particular superstition pops up in so many different countries that it may be safer to ditch the practice altogether. Just to be on the safe side.

Cuba

United States Homes used to be constructed with slanted windows for the purpose of preventing witches from flying through. Because casting spells and flying won’t help them fight the 45 degree angle. So there you have it! A few irrationalities in your pocket. Use them wisely! Or they may also work as great conversations starters at parties, especially the Cuban one. The world has great myths and fairy tales that surround us from the early days, so please share them and spread your culture! We would love to hear the superstitions you have in your own country.

There’s always room for one more drink. Cubans say that if you declare your last drink (or “el ultimo”) you’re tempting fate and are likely to die soon.

Portugal Walking backwards is considered very bad luck. The story goes that walking backwards shows the devil your way, and so he’ll be able to find you and cause you grief. It’s not a very difficult superstition to follow, to be honest.Why would you do it anyways?

Use the hashtag #focussuperstitions and we’ll regram it! Sharing brings good luck. Or so I’ve heard!

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