The International - December 2021 by The International Denmark

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ISSN 2596-5220

CHRISTMAS MINCE PIES

CHRISTMAS FUN FOR EVERYONE!

BLENDED FESTIVE TRADITIONS

WINTER HOUSE HYGGE

DECEMBER 2021 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

BUILDING BRIDGES ACROSS CULTURES

TOMOKO’S STORY OF BALANCING LIFE AND BECOMING A LOLLANDER DECEMBER 2021 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

COPING WITHOUT FAMILY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON CELEBRATING WITHOUT YOUR NEAREST AND DEAREST DOESN’T MEAN YOU CAN’T STILL FEEL THE HOLIDAY CHEER.

MEET THE TEAM

THE FIRST YEAR of this new decade has been full of anxiety, stress, frustration, confusion, fear, and disappointments. For many people, it’s meant losing a job—or a loved one. For others, it’s forced them to make difficult decisions about significant life events, like cancelling their wedding or for some internationals not being able to fly home. But, regardless of how the pandemic has shaped and changed your life. It’s safe to say that everyone has had a lack of celebrations this year – so why should Christmas be any different? As we inch closer to a much-anticipated holiday season, many people may feel emotional. After all, what will the holidays be like if we can’t see our family face-to-face? Or if we can’t meet our friends for our annual holiday get together? With the latest discovery of the Omikron variant and flights cancelled, this was NOT what we were counting on in our Christmas stocking.

EDITOR & FOUNDER Lyndsay Jensen - lyndsay@the-intl.com

MANAGING DIRECTOR & PARTNER Kenneth Macalpine - kenneth@the-intl.com

CONSULTING EDITOR Conrad Egbert

GRAPHIC DESIGN Karen Steyn - www.stainedmedia.co.za

WRITERS TEAM Ophelia Wu; Sarah Redohl; Mariano Davies; Skyler Bentley Hall; Tiny Maerschalk; Monika Pedersen; Narcis Matache; Tarek Abusham; Sara R. Newell; Aina Masood; Susan Jessen Spiele; Nikolaos Papadopoulos; Michaela Medvedova; Shani Bishop; Natasha Liviero; Heather Storgaard; Conrad Molden; Katie Noyed

So, what would be the best advice for feeling connected and remaining positive during this holiday season?

TIME FOR A COOK-OFF Traditions are a big part of what makes the holiday season memorable, so why not organise (if you have a partner in Denmark) a virtual cook-along with your family at home? You may look forward to hanging handmade ornaments on your tree, hearing the same stories from your grandmother, or having seconds of your aunt’s one-of-akind recipes. Every family has their own unique way of approaching these moments, but consider a modern approach this year. I know, we’re all pretty sick of Zoom calls, but how incredible is it that we have this technology? Don’t give up on it – find a way to connect digitally.

PRESENTS DON’T ALWAYS COME GIFT-WRAPPED If you’ve been smart (which I haven’t) and have mailed cards and presents already, that’s great! Small meaningful gifts and handwritten cards will go a long way in helping you and your family feel loved and valued. But, if budget is an issue, or you haven’t mailed your gifts – creativity is your BFF! So, schedule a virtual call to sing songs, discuss funny stories from the past, and stay in touch. Sometimes, a small gesture goes further than an expensive gift, creating new positive holiday memories to treasure forever.

IN REMEMBRANCE The holidays may be extremely tough for some people because they lost someone special to them recently. Consider creating a memory box that contains reminders of the person who has died. You can include photos, quotes you associate with them, any mementoes you may have. If you can’t do this project in person, pick up the phone to share stories, talk about how much you miss them, and acknowledge your grief.

SKÅL AND CHEERS If you have family who isn’t so keen on technology, a Zoom dinner might be too complicated for them. Consider instead having an off-screen toast with wine, coffee, tea, or hot chocolate if you can figure out zoom – great! If not, en-

courage everyone to send a selfie with a beverage of choice in a group chat. The photos will make you grin and hopefully get you through the day.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEALTH FROM THE INSIDE OUT Every part of our bodies is connected, and if we spend the next month loading up on mince pies, a never-ending supply of Danish Christmas cookies, our mental state will be cloudy at best. So try and be a little kinder with your body, and make a conscious effort to get enough sleep, exercise, laugh and get emotional support from your loved ones.

BE PRESENT WITH THE ONES YOU’RE WITH If you have a Danish partner, remember it’s tough for them to see you going through the turmoil of being away from your other family. Some of you might be lucky to have your Danish family with you at Christmas, who are delighted to be able to share their Jul traditions with you. Try to be as present as possible with your Danish family – how great will it be when you see your family again to share your experiences of a traditional Danish Jul.

COVER PICTURE Terumi Mascarenhas - www.fjordfoto.dk

SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM SoMe Coordinator Helen Jones - helen@the-intl.com

SoMe Ambassadors Neelam Gahlaut; Michaela Medvedova; Aina Masood; Katie Noyed; Amelie Taralle; Ane-Sophie Custura; Terumi Mascarenhas; Manon Coolen; Leslie Noygues; Shelly Pandey; Laura Luzinska; Shivangi Singh; Ritika Jain; Pavlos Tsiakoumis; Sakib Akhter; Rashmi Jadhav

DISTRIBUTION The International is available at a range of businesses, institutions, embassies, cafés and public libraries across Denmark

SALES

God Jul!

sales@the-intl.com

Love,

SUBSCRIPTIONS

LYNDSAY JENSEN - EDITOR & FOUNDER

For corporate delivery of the printed edition please contact: lyndsay@the-intl.com

THE-INTL.COM

The International is published 12 times a year. This issue was published on 2 December, 2021. Notice: The publishers regret that they cannot accept any liability for error or omissions contained in this publication. The opinions and views presented need not necessarily reflect those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek special counsel before acting on any information contained herein. All rights reserved. No part of this publication or contents thereof may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any

"MAY THIS CHRISTMAS BURN AWAY ALL YOUR SADNESS AND BURY THE TEARS SO THAT YOUR LIFE IS PERPETUALLY FILLED WITH HAPPINESS AND JOY. WISHING YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A NEW YEAR FILLED WITH FUN AND FROLIC!"

DECEMBER 2021 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

THE FEEL-GOOD STORIES OF DENMARK EXPLORING ODENSE THROUGH CALENDAR

HELEN JONES

MICHAELA MEDVEĎOVÁ

WINDOWS Imagine an Advent calendar where instead of chocolate, a gift from your favourite café or store is waiting behind its windows.

That's possible with Bykalender (or City Calendar), a physical Advent calendar full of gifts from local businesses. It started in Aarhus in 2017 and spread into cities all over Denmark - including Odense. Tore True Jensen, the owner and designer of the Odense Calendar, brought the initiative to the Fyn-based city in 2019.

CHRISTMAS WISHES

Odensekalenderen prints 3000 calendars a year, and people can buy one for 250 DKK online and in local stores. This year, the calendar contains 25 gifts worth more than 2300 DKK in total. They are donated by 25 companies based in the city - such as Storms Pakhus or Jumping Fun.

"It's a way of giving back to the people who are giving a lot of themselves." All calendars contain the same gifts, each of which is an excellent way for people to know what their town has to offer. This also supports local

businesses as they attract people they normally wouldn't. When you open a calendar window, it says what the gift is and when you can claim it. Some are valid only in December or January. Others you can use all through February or March. To receive your gift, simply rip off the window and hand it over to the store. "And it actually is a gift - you don't need to bring any money," says Line Mikkelsen, who covers marketing. Five percent of every calendar is donated to Frivilligcenter Odense that supports volunteer social work in the city. Last year, the organization received 30,000 DKK. "It's a way of giving back to the people who are giving a lot of themselves. So it makes sense to help those who help others," says Tore. And if you don't feel like using a particular gift? "You can pass the gift on to a friend and spread some happiness around," concludes Line. See if you can still find a calendar for this year - or see Odensekalenderen's Facebook page and sign up for the newsletter on their website! THE-INTL

KATHARINE H NOYED

3 WAYS TO HELP THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Manon Coolen - Odense @danishdiscoveries "I wish that everyone could travel home to spend Christmas with their families and loved ones!"

Katie Noyed - Roskilde @katharinehn "This Christmas, I hope to be present in each moment and enjoy the little things - like the sweet taste of æbleskiver, the bright sight of twinkle lights in Roskilde, or a cosy talk with my family in the US."

Pavlos Tsiakoumis - Copenhagen @tsiakpavlos "I've never decked the halls, and I have no idea what Jingle Bell rock is. But I hope your Christmas rocks!"

According to Humanity in Action, approximately 10-15 thousand individuals are experiencing homelessness on any given night in Denmark. With the season of giving among us, here are a few ways you can support the most vulnerable members of our community this holiday season:

Leslie Noygues - Horsens @Lesienys

1. Shop for mindful gifts

2. Make food donations

Kirkens Korshær is a Danish charity dedicated to helping the most vulnerable community members, including those suffering from poverty, mental and physical health illness, addiction, and homelessness. Anytime you purchase a gift at one of their 240 genbrugsbutikker in Denmark, you not only are choosing to shop in an environmentally-sustainable way, but you are also doing your part to support those experiencing homelessness. If you’re someone who prefers to give handmade presents, you can also keep an eye out for fundraisers that shelters are offering. For instance, a shelter located at Istedgade 100 in Copenhagen frequently holds knitwear sales to raise funds for their services. They have a wide variety of winter clothing and accessories for children and adults alike. Additionally, if you make a donation, you will receive a hand-crocheted house as a symbol that everyone deserves to have shelter. They call it: a home for a home.

We’ve all seen it: it’s the end of the day, and bulging rubbish bags are being filled with the day-old leftover bread from our local grocery store. Most of the time, these baked goods are just smidt ud; however, it doesn’t have to be that way! Consider chatting with your grocer or baker about the possibility of collecting food that could be donated to the nearest shelter. This little chat could make a massive difference in the lives of individuals living on the street.

MICHAELA MEDVEDOVÁ comes from Slovakia and moved to Denmark 3 years ago to study for her Master's degree. Living in Odense she says it's the perfect city for her because it's not too large to be intimidating, but still exciting!

Christmas is almost here, and however you celebrate, it's hard to avoid the magic in the air. But the past year has also seen its fair share of firsts. So whether you spent last Christmas in lockdown or experienced a real Danish Julefrokost for the very first time, at The International, we're coming together to wish for better times in the new year. We asked some of our incredible Social Media Ambassadors from all over Denmark to send in their Christmas wishes to see what the future holds and how we can work together to make this Christmas better than the last!

3. Buy (and read) homeless newspapers It is illegal to beg in Denmark, but unfortunately, not everyone has the circumstances to make a living due to many highly-complex reasons. With this in mind, buying newspapers such as Hus Forbi and Strada is a tangible way to support those experiencing homelessness. So consider picking one up next time you pass an individual selling one of these papers this holiday season! THE-INTL

KATHARINE H NOYED is from the United States. After working in the United Arab Emirates, Katharine now lives in Roskilde with her husband and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Development and International Relations with a focus on Global Refugee Studies.

"I wish for french cheeses in all Danish supermarkets."

Ane-Sophie Custura - Copenhagen, @Sophie.Custura "Wishing for a world without lockdowns!"

Neelam Gahlaut - Billund @framesbyniki "My Christmas wish is to meet family members and friends in person. It has been more than 2 years since I visited my home country, and the uncertain situation makes it difficult to plan things. Hoping to enjoy festivities with my family rather than wishing them on video calls!"

Michaela Medved'ova - Odense @who_run_the_world_pandas "I wish to spend this Christmas with my family after last year's break so I can bake cookies with my mom and sister, taste homemade wine, and hear my grandma ringing the bell, calling us all to the Christmas tree. Also, I wish for higher alcohol content in gløgg!" THE-INTL

DECEMBER 2021 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

CHRISTMAS

Due to the high levels are infections in Denmark, we encourage you to follow the government's guidelines and stay safe. For up to date information on these guidelines and the latest news, follow www.coronasmitte.dk

AARHUS

DEN GAMLE BY

LONDON TOAST THEATRE - THOMAS PETRI

HAPPENINGS IN DENMARK

COPENHAGEN

1 DEC-15 JAN

1 DEC-2 JAN

CRAZY CHRISTMAS

CHRISTMAS IN DEN GAMLE BY

“TELL ME ABOUT IT” is a Christmas treat or stocking filler for both Danes and internationals. There is no doubt that the performing arts took a hard knock during the Corona lockdowns. Writer and director of London Toast Theatre, Vivenne McKee, was inspired to write a show which takes the audience away from Corona, Trump troubles, and Brexit. “I needed to create a show for the audience to escape and enjoy a few hours of silly fun and laughter during these dark days, where Covid may be still lurking in the shadows.” Vivenne McKee has done just that, by whisking us all back to the crazy Eighties, with its pulsating pop songs, big hair, funky fashion and exciting TV shows. Inspired by an old box set of Miami Vice and she has created this year’s totally mad cure to winter blues. So, sit back and enjoy the craziest show in town, full of the most fabulous costumes and the hottest top-talented team of comedy actors!

Experience Christmas in Den Gamle By from 20 November to 2 January and travel back in time through 400 years of Christmas history with glowing lanterns, original Pancake puffs with apple slices, historic Christmas ornaments – and get into the true spirit of Christmas.

FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://LONDONTOAST.DK/BOOK-TICKETS.HTML

FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://WWW.DENGAMLEBY.DK/CHRISTMAS/

This year, you can also experience Christmas Evenings in Den Gamle By – an exclusive evening experience. You can also indulge in a delicious Christmas lunch with the history of Christmas in Danish in our restaurant Gæstgivergården on 26 November or 3 December from 6 p.m. Please note: We ask all of our guests to buy their tickets online and thus book their arrival time. This especially applies if you consider a weekend visit. We want you to be sure that you will experience Christmas in Den Gamle By at the requested day and time.

TICKETS: 3315 1001 TEATERBILLETTER.DK OR BILLETLUGEN.DK LONDON TOAST THEATRE

DECEMBER 2021 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

LTT.The International.81x154.291121.indd 1

DEN GAMLE BY

NOV 16TH - JAN 15TH

DEN GAMLE BY

GLASSALEN, TIVOLI

LONDON TOAST THEATRE - THOMAS PETRI

TELL ME ABOUT IT

LONDON TOAST THEATRE - THOMAS PETRI

CRAZY CHRISTMAS 2021

29.11.2021 09.57

AARHUS JULEMARKED FB PAGE

AARHUS

1-19 DECEMBER AARHUS JULEMARKED Visit Aarhus' largest and cosiest Christmas market. This annual Christmas market in Ridehuset has been running for 22 years and is one of the oldest and most traditional Christmas markets in Aarhus. Visitors and exhibitors come from far and wide with lots of returning visitors. Here you can experience a unique selection of handicrafts that represent everything from the trends of the time to old handicrafts, along with a personal and artistic touch from the individual exhibitor. In addition, this unique market offers you gifts that you won't find anywhere else in the city. Remember to wear a mask, and have your Coronapas on hand.

A focus on learning

FOR MORE INF0: WWW.AARHUSJULEMARKED.DK

AARHUS

TIVOLI FRIHEDEN FB PAGE

Early Years setting (3-5 year olds) Primary School (5-11 year olds) Secondary School (11-16 year olds) High School (16-18 year olds)

CERTAIN DAYS IN DECEMBER JUL I FRIHEDEN Come have a magical Christmas experience with the whole family for a proper Christmas adventure in Tivoli Friheden. An experience that is guaranteed to awaken the Christmas mood in both young and old. Instagramable shots as you walk through our 70-meter long light tunnel with more than 50,000 glittering Christmas lights along with more than 16 kilometres spread across the park. Awaken your Christmas mood while you enjoy warm beverages and sweet food in our many Christmas stalls. In addition to many cosy Christmas stalls, enjoy amusement rides and our large Ferris wheel. *Please note: Make sure you check the link, as it's not open every day!

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COPENHAGEN

5 DECEMBER

11-12 DECEMBER

CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT PAINTING WORKSHOP

ACOUSTIC SUNDAYS

MUSICON JULEMARKED

Acoustic Sundays, hosted By Jimmy, who is a songwriter in the tradition of Bob Marley and John Lennon, where love, spiritual and political songs stand side by side as one. Acoustic Sunday's is the platform that allows everyone to strengthen their human touch. Service is, as usual, with a lunch and dinner menu, fantastic coffee from Honduras, beers and a variety of wines.

Huge Christmas market in Roskilde's new creative district. Christmas market with 100 exhibitors in Hall 9. Lots of Christmas items, crafts, clothing, jewellery, handicrafts and much more.

Back by popular demand! Last year they sold out, so tickets are going fast – book your spot today. Decorate your own holiday ornament while sipping on some warm gløgg and listening to classic holiday music!

Food market with street food and Christmas treats in Hall 7 arranged in collaboration with @ Mad & marked. Ice rink, children's carousel Christmas trees for sale at Søjlepladsen. A total experience for the whole family. Free entry, but remember your Coronapas.

FOR MORE INF0: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/1MVFSBY7I

Choose your day: Thursday, 25 November Sunday, 5 December Thursday, 9 December Sunday, 12 December All classes are from 18:30-20:30

FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/1FLH4VNGQ

The price per class is 295 DKK, and everything you need is included, even the GLØGG! Book your seats here: www.artescapestudios.dk/booking All ages welcome, remember a mask and coronapas. Seating is limited.

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CERTAIN DAYS IN DECEMBER JUL PÅ GÅRDEN

STORE HEDDINGE

STEVNS JULEMARKED WEBSITE

RINGSTED

LUMAGICA FB PAGE

AARHUS

1-23 DECEMBER

12 DECEMBER

LUMAGICA - CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND

STEVNS JULEMARKED This charming Christmas market is finally open again after an extended Corona break. Only Sunday 12 December from 10:00-16:00. The entire Christmas market is held under one roof in the old museum building. To get an idea about what stallholders will be there, look at previous years pictures on their website. So join them in a countryside setting, with many unique stalls offering homemade goods to the public.

Take part in this year's most beautiful family experience when "LUMAGICA - Christmas Wonderland" takes place in Ringsted. Take a walk in the enchanting Christmas landscape, where you will experience Denmark's cosiest Santa Claus country and the most fantastic light shows. Bring the whole family and experience an unforgettable imaginative day with interactive experiences, light art, music and delicious food and drink. You can purchase tickets on their website://lumagica.dk/ ringsted-christmas-wonderland/ See you at Denmark's most beautiful light festival!

Take a walk at the farm during the Advent weekends. Christmas trees can be purchased in beautiful surroundings whilst enjoying homemade gløgg, æbleskiver, market stalls and lots of twinkling lights - all with sustainability and quality in mind. Sustainability means a lot to GrimFest, and Christmas is not always a sustainable time of year. But, this is how they are sustainable: - We have found local and conscious Christmas tree sellers from Silkeborg, who only cut down the trees that can be sold, with as short a transport as possible. - When you are finished with your tree, you can drop by the farm after Christmas and have it chopped into chips, which we will use for later use. - You can also buy an organic potted Christmas tree, which you can plant again when you have finished Christmas celebrations. - Christmas stalls will either be recycled or go to a good cause, e.g. Kræftens Bekæmpelse.

FOR MORE INF0: HTTPS://WWW.STEVNSJULEMARKED.DK/

FOR MORE INF0: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/IVCD2SKP

STEVNS JULEMARKED WEBSITE

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BORNHOLM

ODENSE

ODENSE ZOO

FERIEØEN BORNHOLM

MORTEN FOG PHOTOGRAPHY - VADEHAVSKYSTEN

ESBJERG

1-23 DECEMBER

1-19 DECEMBER

1-24 DECEMBER

JULEBYEN ESBJERG

BORNHOLM JULEMARKED

Esbjerg's city centre really gets you in the Christmas mood this December. With lovely scents complemented by atmospheric Christmas music and well-stocked shops throughout the city, create a cosy environment while you do your Christmas shopping. For example, on Torvet, there is a small cosy Christmas town with stalls next to the famous ice rink.

In November and December, the old fishing town Nexø is transformed into a veritable Christmas town and invites people from near and far to the Bornholm Christmas Market. All the inner town with small cozy shops and the whole harbor area with wooden stalls smell and glow of Christmas. You can visit the Bornholm Christmas Market every Friday to Sunday in all the 4 weekends before Christmas.

CHRISTMAS STALLS AND MAGICAL LIGHTS When darkness begins to fall, the ZOO's Christmas stalls open, where you can explore 25 different Christmas stalls, and if you need something to warm you up, you can enjoy a round of special ZOO winter soup - developed especially for the ZOO by James Price.

FOR MORE INF0: HTTPS://WWW.ESBJERGCITY.DK/DET-SKER/

In the evening, the experience goes from cosy to magical, when more than 27 kilometres of Christmas lights and several fantastic installations are turned on and light up the ZOO like you have never seen it before. For example, you can look forward to seeing the reindeer, Santa's sleigh, a six-meter high Christmas present or a large, seven-meter long heart - all decorated with beautiful lights.

FOR MORE INF0: HTTPS://BORNHOLM.INFO/EN/CHRISTMASMARKET/

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DECEMBER 2021 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

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FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://JUL.ODENSEZOO.DK/

COPENHAGEN

1ST WEEKENDS IN DECEMBER MAGIC CHRISTMAS MARKET

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1 DEC-2 JAN

31 DECEMBER

TIVOLI CHRISTMAS

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One million twinkling lights Even the most ambitious at-home Christmas decorator will be blown away by the next-level style of the classic gardens. More than a million twinkling lights light up the dark gardens and bring a dash of magic to everything every day.

The Magical Christmas Market in Odense takes place in the historic, cobbled streets of the old town, where Hans Christian Andersen grew up.

If your heart beats faster when you hear a good beat, this electronic new year's bang could be your perfect party match. Culture Box, Denmark's top venue for electronic music, have curated their favourite underground electronic masterminds and are ready to set the tone for quite the all-nighter celebration of 2021's beginning.

Oh Christmas Tree The Christmas tree is an important part of any Danish Christmas celebration. Tivoli takes this love of a decorated fir tree to another level with 1,000 trees (count them!) spread across the garden together with an additional 7.5 tons of fir branches. It all smells as good as it looks.

The Magical Christmas Market is filled with local specialities and quality products. You can find handmade sausages, speciality beers, designer tableware, handmade jewellery and much more when you stroll through the atmosphere filled streets between the small old townhouses. The Magical Christmas Market attracts approx. 60,000 guests who participate to get in the Christmas spirit with mulled wine, spruce branches and lanterns, to meet friends and acquaintances and to experience art and culture for young and old. The Christmas market attracts both local citizens and tourists from other regions and countries. Magical Christmas Market is for the whole family, and we look forward to inviting you to Christmas in Hans Christian Andersen's Odense the first two weekends in December.

FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://CULTURE-BOX.COM/

This Christmas, we'll give you our hearts... This year’s Tivoli decorations include a special celebration of hearts across the gardens and in all the decorations. There is even a 115 ft. glowing heart right in front of the Nimb Hotel - that's really something special.

FOR MORE INF0: HTTPS://WWW.TIVOLI.DK/DA/HAVEN-OGFORLYSTELSER/SAESONER/JUL

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BUILDING BRIDGES ACROSS CULTURES

TRANSLATING AND TRAVERSING CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IS NEVER EASY. BUT TOMOKO KITAMURA NIELSEN HAS SEEN A LOT OF TRANSFORMATIONS DURING HER DANISH EXPERIENCE.

PHOTOGRAPHS TERUMI MASCARENHAS - WWW.FJORDFOTO.DK

TEXT MICHAELA MEDVEĎOVÁ

WHEN TOMOKO KITAMURA NIELSEN boarded the plane from Amsterdam to Tokyo in 2000, she was changing where her life was headed. The Japanese journalist was coming back from covering the 2000 European Football Championship. She was sitting next to a Danish guy who worked in Japan and returned from a summer vacation in Denmark. As if in a romantic movie, they would later end up getting married. And for her, this cross-border meet-cute was a premonition of a professional and personal story lived across cultures.

A DANISH SENSE OF CALM As in any international relationship, Tomoko and her Danish partner eventually discussed where they would settle. The pair decided in favour of his homeland - the Danish island of Lolland. "We talked about how once we have a child, it may be better for them to have an education in Denmark. He wasn't fond of the Japanese system - kids go to prep schools at an early age. But he thought they should learn by playing a bit longer." The deal was sealed when Tomoko got the chance to visit Denmark and saw kindergarteners playing outside all day - and enjoying it to the fullest. The speed of everyday life in the Scandinavian country also impressed her. In Tokyo, her schedule as a freelance translator for numerous TV stations and productions was very hectic. Yet, the Danish way of life was calm. “Nobody had a watch - nobody here was watching time. In Japan, people always have to know what time something is happening

DECEMBER 2021 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

SHOT ON LOCATON AT DEN GRONNE VERDEN

and how many people are coming. Danes just said we could have dinner together on the weekend. I was surprised - when exactly is the weekend? And where should we meet?” Less impressive? The food. “It was kind of boring. Everything was brown and very heavy for me. But that has very much changed since then because of New Nordic Cuisine, a culinary movement that had a huge effect not just on expensive restaurants but also on the selection of ingredients in the supermarket or in ordinary cafes.”

ON THE BORDER OF CULTURES But the bland brown dishes did not turn out to be the biggest headache. When Tomoko relocated to Lolland in late 2001, joining the local community with strong relationships between families living in the area was difficult as many events were based on longstanding ties. There weren’t many Japanese people living in Lolland, which made it more challenging for her to become a part of the community. “People were looking at me like I was a rare animal,” laughs Tomoko. “Although I wanted to have friends as soon as possible after arriving and tried saying hello to everyone, people were just staring at me, even though I was sure they spoke English. I think they were just curious about me and didn’t know much about Japan.” Eventually, she found helpful Lollanders trying to teach her the Danish way and the language and enquiring about the Japanese culture in return. But the language did not come to Tomoko quickly. She started attending language school, but catching the meaning of casual conversations was difficult. “Danes get to-

DECEMBER 2021 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

gether often and are very talkative. But they didn’t have much patience while waiting for me to join a conversation. Sometimes I could feel them thinking - why is she not saying anything?” It was a struggle for someone who has as much to say as Tomoko does to speak up. Today, it is still challenging for her to write in Danish, but she has also been working as an interpreter from Japanese to Danish, for example, interpreting for the Japanese Minister about green transition or education. Having her (now former) husband and his family there to ask endless questions about the language certainly helped her learn in the early days. So did raising her son, but it came with a price. “My former mother-in-law was very strict about not speaking Japanese with my son. That’s something I regret.” As a result, her now 18-year-old son understands Japanese but cannot reply. He’s planning to go to Japan next year and learn more about the language and culture. Raising him with a language barrier was sometimes frustrating for Tomoko. When he was little, her Danish was poorer, and it was challenging to communicate with him deeper. But there was also a cultural struggle. “Danish kids are more independent - adults and schools encourage them to think for themselves. In Japan, when parents tell you something, you have to listen.” So as Tomoko was brought up the Japanese way, she had to learn how to raise her own child the Danish way. Denmark and its culture have left their mark, though. “At one stage, I had an identity problem. When I visited my family and friends in Japan, they said I am not Japanese anymore because I forgot how I should behave in Japanese society. For example, if we eat together, the women should pour the beer or sake. So I was just sitting and drinking or pouring for myself.” But Tomoko knows she doesn’t need to think about whether she is Japanese or Danish. She is something in between.

MAKING CONNECTIONS Just as her identity, Tomoko’s work is like a bridge between her two cultures. But getting to professional fulfilment took time.

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After language school, she got a job at a local TV station in Lolland as the next step in her career. “In the one and a half years there, I learned a lot. In local TV stations, you have to do nearly everything. I learned how to interview in Danish and film with a camera; how to edit and set up a studio.” Apart from professional competencies, Tomoko met many people and learned a lot about Lolland and local politics. But then, the strategy of the Ministry of Culture changed, and due to a lack of subsidies for local television, Tomoko was fired - which was a first for her. “When I met the consultants at the Jobcenter, they looked at me and perhaps thought: Okay, she’s from Asia, perhaps she could work as a social assistant or a cleaning lady.” But luckily, when a new consultant read her CV and saw Tomoko had freelanced in Japan, they advised her to take an entrepreneurship course to help her start her own business in Denmark. And she did. In her company, aTree, she now works as a journalist, writer, lecturer, consultant, and coordinator for creating connections between Denmark and Japan. “Often, I am working with both Japanese and Danish embassies. As a result, I meet many different kinds of people, from the Crown Prince to kindergarteners,” laughs Tomoko. She also arranges trips for Japanese people to visit Denmark and vice versa. In her experience, Japanese people are more interested in Denmark and Scandinavia because people in the region often rank as the happiest nations on earth. However, according to Tomoko, lately, Japanese people are more interested in how democracy, education, and welfare work in Denmark. She even wrote a book about Lolland, published in 2012 in Japanese. But even though 2017 marked the 150th anniversary of Denmark and Japan’s relationship, Japan is still an exotic country for Danes. “Japan is not great at sharing news or their latest issues in English with other countries. That’s why Denmark has a small amount of information about Japan, and it’s still sushi, karate, geishas, and yakuza that rule people’s imagination, even though we have a lot more to tell.” Broadening cultural understanding is also the prima-

"THERE WEREN’T MANY JAPANESE PEOPLE LIVING IN LOLLAND, WHICH MADE IT MORE CHALLENGING FOR HE R TO B ECO M E A PART O F T HE COMMUNITY. “PEOPLE WERE LOOKING AT ME LIKE I WAS A RARE ANIMAL,” LAUGHS TOMOKO." ry fuel behind Tomoko’s effort to establish a new Lolland Folkehøjskole, a school focused on an international perspective on food. Because of climate change, politics and religion, different countries eat differently. We need to understand more about each other’s food and how to share resources to ensure their proper distribution. Here, international cooperation could bring valuable insights. For example, “Danish politics is working a lot on green transition, and there’s a lot of talk about Danes starting to eat less meat. Japan could really provide a lot of their experience and inspiration.”

BRAND NEW EXCITEMENT A Folkehojskøle with an international focus is only a small example of how Lolland has been evolving. “I still feel some people are unsure about those who don’t speak Danish, but generally, they are more positive about meeting new people.” The refugee crisis in 2014, when Lollanders helped refugees from Syria settle down in the area, was a heartwarming example of this shift. Because of the current construction of the Fehrman Belt Link, an immersed tunnel between Germany and Lolland, many foreigners are coming to the island. “Now, I can feel the excitement. People in Lolland are really starting to be excited about seeing new people.” The construction project was a key motivator for Tomoko to run for November’s local elections - as the first Japanese citizen ever. When the tunnel is done, the 45-minute travel time between the two countries will be reduced

"WE DON’T NEED TO COMPARE LOLLAND TO OTHER PLACES. WE DON’T HAVE TO LOUDLY SAY THAT WE HAVE A BETTER LIFE. WE KNOW WE HAVE A GOOD ONE."

to 5-7 minutes. “Politics will be critical in whether Lolland will be a place for European people to have a layover - or just drive through. The international perspective on how people from other countries look at Lolland is missing. Maybe I can help locals make even better decisions. I’ve had a chance to work between Denmark and Japan, so maybe I can use my experience.” Contrary to the custom nationwide, she only put up a few posters. Instead, in the weeks leading up to the election, Tomoko tried to meet people in person explaining her stance and getting their support. Unfortunately, when the polling stations closed on November 16, Tomoko wasn’t among the 25 Lollanders elected to sit in the city council and shape the future of the region for the next four years. As Denmark continues to welcome internationals in the coming years, the next local and regional elections might see them represented among the councilmen and women more. Having international voices in Danish politics is essential to Tomoko. “Sometimes, people don’t know about our challenges. Maybe if we can tell them how we think and how we feel in Danish society, we can work together and make it better for all.”

A GOOD LIFE But while her passport still claims she’s an international, Lolland has been a part of her for twenty years now. She cares about her Danish home. It gives her the luxury of space she did not have in Tokyo. “There, it was nearly impossible to be alone. Although you were in your apartment, you could still feel and hear people and cars outside.” In Lolland, she can often find herself alone on a beautiful beach. Many Japanese people she brings to Denmark are captivated by this experience. “They are fascinated by seeing sunrise and sunset. In Tokyo, many can’t do that because of the skyscrapers.” Compared to the bigger cities, Tomoko feels people in Lolland are more downto-earth and appreciate the important things in life. They are not always preoccupied with something. Instead, Lollanders focus on being present with people they share the moment with. “We don’t need to compare Lolland to other places. We don’t have to loudly say that we have a better life. We know we have a good one.” THE-INTL

DECEMBER 2021 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

BLENDED FESTIVE TRADITIONS LIVING ABROAD NATURALLY LEADS TO A BLEND OF TRADITIONS, AND THESE SEEM TO SHOW THEMSELVES BEST AT CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR.

PHOTOGRAPHS ISTOCK

TEXT HEATHER STORGAARD

Æbleskiver are now known in Denmark and the UK thanks to the Copenhagen-born Great British Bake-off presenter Sandi Toksvig introducing them.

GROWING UP AS a third Culture Kid, I find the blend of traditions that grow with every new country experienced a part of the festive experience, mainly because it inevitably leads to more memorable days and foods. So, if you can’t get enough Christmas hygge, I’ve written about some of my favourites from Scotland, Switzerland, Germany and Denmark that span early December through to the middle of January. SAMICHLAUS One tradition that gets Christmas going a bit earlier in December is Sankt Niklaus Tag, popular throughout much of central Europe but known to me from Switzerland and Germany. Children (or anyone who would like to take part) leave a shoe or a boot at the door for Saint Nik to come and fill with fruits, nuts and chocolates. In rural Switzerland, receiving the treats depends upon the correct recital of Swiss-German poetry, which played a part in my learning the language as a child. Nowadays, I find an excuse to buy good Swiss chocolate early in December and kick off Christmas with a tradition that’s very homely for me.

BAKING Christmas baking is a big part of tradition everywhere where the season is celebrated. Getting mincemeat for British mince pies or custard powder for New Zealand trifles to Denmark and distributed around expat friends every year can become an operation in itself! Æbleskiver are now known in Denmark and the UK thanks to the Copenhagen-born Great British Bakeoff presenter Sandi Toksvig introducing them. However, I find it a shame that few in Denmark know of German Christmas foods, considering that, at least in Jutland, you’re never more than a few hours from the border. German Stollen, a yeast dough with fruits and spices, rolled up with mar-

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zipan in the middle, holds brilliantly, so it can be made early in the season. If that’s not enough marzipan for you, then Danish Kransekage for New Year is also a fabulous treat. Finally, if you want to keep the festive food going even longer, Dreikönigskuchen (Three Kings Cake) is a Swiss sweet bread with fruit, made for Epiphany on 6th January. My husband thinks it’s like an enormous British Hot Cross Bun, which makes it popular in our house!

BILINGUAL NEW YEAR Hogmanay, otherwise known as New Year, has traditionally been bigger than Christmas for many Scots. Christmas has made some headway in recent years, especially for families, but something about a Scottish Hogmanay feels different from New Year anywhere else. In my family, we have always sung Auld Lang Syne in its original Scots, but in recent years my husband and I have added Jeppe Aakjærs’ Jysk (Jutlandic) translation, “Skuld gammel venskab rejn forgo”. It seems apt to sing about re-

membering old acquaintances in both Jutlandic and Scots, as we try to balance a life in both places.

FIRE FESTIVALS Impending bleak January with storms brought by the North Sea will not be a foreign concept to anyone living in Denmark. However, in Northern Scotland, this is brightened not by candles and hygge but by January fire festivals. As a child, the most local to me was Burghed, where burning barrels are rolled through the streets, but the most famous is probably Up Helly Aa in Shetland, celebrating the Norse heritage of the islands with a parade of Viking enflamed long-boats. If you’re looking for a winter break that’s a bit different, there are direct flights from Esbjerg to Aberdeen, from where you can take a comfy overnight ferry to the Shetland capital of Lerwick. I am not brave enough to light that fire myself, so this is one tradition that I have not tried to transport to Denmark! THE-INTL

HEATHER STORGAARD WRITER Heather Storgaard comes from Northern Scotland, grew up in Switzerland, and lived in England and Germany. She met her Danish and soon-tobe British husband back in 2017, and they now split their time between Central Scotland and Helgenæs, a peninsula in rural Eastern Jutland. Languages and cultural studies are a big passion, leading Heather to pursue a degree in Culture and Heritage and a career in photography and translation. @heatherstorgaard

FOOD ART

MINCE PIES IF YOU’RE OF ENGLISH-SPEAKING ORIGIN, CHANCES ARE CHRISTMAS JUST ISN’T THE SAME WITHOUT MINCE PIES. THIS RECIPE IS ADAPTED FROM TWO MUCH LOVED BRITISH CHEFS — MARY BERRY AND PAUL HOLLYWOOD — BRIMMING WITH FESTIVE FRUIT AND SPICE. PHOTOGRAPHS & TEXT: NATASHA LIVIERO / UNSPLASH

METHOD: #1 For the fruit mince, place all the ingredients, except the alcohol, into a pot. #2 On medium-low heat, mix the ingredients with a wooden spoon. #3 Once the butter has melted, gently simmer for around 10 minutes, stirring occasionally and making sure the mixture doesn’t dry out. Set aside to cool. #4 Add the alcohol, mix and set aside until pastry is ready. Alternatively, prepare the mixture in advance and store it in sterilised jars in a cool room. #5 For the pastry, heat the oven to 1800C. Prepare two 12-hole regular-sized muffin trays with baking spray. #6 Place flour and salt into a large bowl. Add the butter, and with your fingers, work it into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles sea sand. #7 Add the sugar and mix through. #8 Add the egg and work the dough until the egg is fully incorporated and the dough just comes together (add a splash of water if need be). You can do this in a large bowl or on a floured surface. Do not over-work the dough. #9 Shape the dough into two balls. Flatten, wrap in clingfilm and refrigerate for 15 minutes. #10 Prepare two round cookie cutters: one for the cups (approximately 2cm wider than the top of your muffin cup) and one for the lids (to fit neatly on top of the muffin cup). Roll out the dough 3-4 mm thick; cut out circles for the cups and press into the muffin holes. Fill each muffin cup with approximately 2-3 Tbsp fruit mince. Do not overfill. #11 Cut out the lids and carefully brush the edge of each pie with egg wash before placing the lid on top. Gently push down to seal. Use a palette knife to neaten the edges. At this point, you can add a decorative star to the centre of each pie. #12 Brush the tops with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar. Then, with a sharp knife, make a small cross in the centre of each pie. #13 Bake for 20-22 minutes or until light golden brown. While still hot, add another sprinkling of sugar to the tops. #14 Cool for five minutes before removing the pies from the muffin trays onto a cooling rack.

MINCE PIES (MAKES APPROXIMATELY 20 PIES)

INGREDIENTS: Fruit Mince 260g raisins, seedless and multi-coloured, chopped 100g dried cranberries, chopped 50g mixed peel 65g butter 115g dark brown sugar 100g apple, peeled, cored and grated 25g blanched almonds, finely chopped 1 lemon, grated and juiced 1 clementine/orange, grated and juiced 4g mixed spice 2g cloves 2g cinnamon 100g brandy or alcohol of your choice Pastry 380g plain flour 260g unsalted butter, cold and cubed pinch of salt 125g castor sugar 1 large egg 1 small egg, beaten for glazing white sugar for sprinkling

NATASHA LIVIERO - PASTRY CHEF Natasha is a recently qualified pastry chef who is South African by birth and Croatian by blood. She spent many years working for a wellness publication but did an about-turn at the beginning of 2020 when she joined a culinary school to fulfil a lifelong dream to study patisserie. She’s passionate about European patisserie and loves spending time in the kitchen experimenting with recipes (while quibbling with her feline friends), and is always on the hunt for interesting new cookbooks.

natashaliviero

DECEMBER 2021 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

BEING GINGER IN THE

LAND OF THE VIKINGS CONRAD MOLDEN’S GUIDE TO RED HAIR WOES. PHOTOGRAPHS ISTOCK

TEXT CONRAD MOLDEN

IT’S 2016, AND I was back visiting my home country of England. It was cold, rainy and bleak. A typical day in Britain no surprises there. I was walking down a busy road, holding two heavy plastic bags filled with shopping, and suddenly I heard a voice. An ugly teenager puts his head out of a car window and shouts “Ginger!” as he cruises past. I am left standing there. Wet and embarrassed. Almost thirty years old and feeling like a bullied school kid. This can be an unfortunate reality for people with red hair in Great Britain. Feeling like red hair is normal was actually one of my great pleasures moving to Denmark. It is even something celebrated in their history. The Viking explorer Erik the Red would never have been mocked from the window of a Citroën C3. Instead, he would have dropped his bags of Aldi shopping, chased down the car and cut the dude in half with an axe. As you may expect, I genuinely went to an all-boys Hogwarts-style school. Except instead of witchcraft or wizardry, they had funding issues and social problems. There was lots of bullying there, of everyone, but especially the gingers. There is even an unofficial “Punch a Ginger” day. I remember being hit in the face whilst waiting for a bus outside my school. What a charming place Britain has become. And we wonder why our continental European neighbours don't miss us. These experiences had some lifelong outcomes for me. They did make me come to hate my appearance, but they also led me to a passion for comedy. I used humour as a defence and began to entertain my bullies. It is hard for someone to insult you when you have already done it for them. There is no truth that those with “fire hair” have naturally bad tempers – it

“There is something so refreshing about tolerance in Danish society.” - Conrad Molden

is a childhood of bullying which has left us just slightly p*ssed off. There was also no solidarity amongst the kids with red hair. Other minority groups form social movements and groups determined to end prejudice and enforce rights. Gingers, however, just try to avoid each other. We are not a race or ethnicity. Nothing holds us together. We are just a random group, two percent of the global population, constantly told we look like Prince Harry or Ron Weasley (because apparently, these are insults). Until I came to Denmark, I felt like the whole world was against me, made to feel utterly abnormal in my own skin. Then, in Aarhus, I suddenly realised that the world is not as cruel and judgmental as a South London all-boys public school. I spoke with Danes, made new friends, and suddenly there was a kindness and a warmth in attitudes to different appearances. I vividly remember walking past the

“Boardgame Café” and seeing the happy faces of misfits, geeks and nerds. In England, these people were ridiculed; here in Denmark, they happily played Dungeons & Dragons in plain sight. Smiling, laughing and sharing big bags of Matador Mix. I must say, I wanted to be a part of it. There is something so refreshing about tolerance in Danish society. Not feeling told to “treat all people the same” but rather understanding that it is precisely our weird appearances that bring us all together. We are all abnormal in our own little ways. The terrible climate surrounding differences during my adolescence was so painful at the time. Looking back, I don’t want to see red and cut that Citroën C3 guy in half with an axe. Instead, I see a scared young man who probably did not have a lot going on in his life. A product of the slightly broken and dysfunctional South London I also grew up in. He probably needs a hug and some love - I think we all do. THE-INTL

CONRAD MOLDEN WRITER & COMEDIAN Conrad is a 30+ father of two, performing in the Danish stand up scene. He got his big break with a national tour of his one-man show 'Danglish', which is streaming (along with its sequel) on the subscription service TV2 or his website. He is an amateur anthropologist, living amongst the Danes and reporting back to his international friends. He has ambitions to lær the dansk but after nine years thinks nodding and grumbling might be a more realistic survival tactic. His comedy is aimed at anyone seeking comfort, support or relief in this strange land. @ConradMolden.dk @conradmolden @ConradMoldenComedy @conradmolden

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You can also read or download the latest issue online: the-intl.com

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NIS - THE WORLD IN MINIATURE PHOTOGRAPHS NORTH ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS ARE like the world in miniature, with many nationalities represented. Everyone brings their own traditions to the community, so no year is like any other. This cultural richness is something families enjoy and want their children to experience. In recent years North Zealand International School (NIS) has recognised many different festivals celebrated by the international school community, including Chinese New Year and Eid. For Chinese New Year, one of the parents from China explained how the Chinese no longer use fireworks for displays, instead choosing drones that move together to form colours and patterns in the sky. After explaining the foods, songs and traditions, each child at NIS was given a red envelope with 2 chocolate coins inside. To mark Eid, the end of Ramadan, NIS learners first learnt about the festival in class. All the learners then received a small goody bag with a QR code. Once scanned, this QR code linked to a website that explained who at school celebrates Eid, what they do to celebrate and what they love about it. Christmas is celebrated differently in every country, and so the traditions change as families come and go. As North Zealand International School (NIS) is part of Nordsjællands Grundskole og Gymnasium (NGG), NIS learners are fortunate to learn and celebrate Danish traditions too.

TEXT SHANI BISHOP, NORTH ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

best door. Some of the best doors are shown here, which one do you like best? Check out the NIS Facebook page for this year's doors!

SANTA LUCIA On 13th December, learners at the school celebrate the life of Santa Lucia. Boys and girls from one year group form a procession around the entire school. Each learner in the parade wears a white outfit and carries a candle whilst singing the traditional song. With all the lights off and the candles glowing, it is very enchanting.

JULEBASAR In normal years the support association 'Friends of NGG' organise the famous Julebasar within the school. There are decorated classrooms, fun family activities, raffles, and food to raise money for the school. Each class practises and performs a Christmas song, and each classroom is transformed. Some become winter wonderlands complete with icy, frosty landscapes and treats. Others morph into casinos or Santa's workshops.

END OF ANOTHER YEAR Before our learners and their families leave for Christmas, there is one last hurrah. On the final afternoon, the parents are offered Æbleskiver and hot chocolate to celebrate the end of term. Families gather to chat and wish each other a good Christmas before heading off.

WINTER DOORS Last Christmas, when we couldn't gather, each class in the school decorated their door. Every door was different. Some were traditional with Santa, snow or Christmas trees - others were funny or clever. Some stretched along the walls, and some were 3D. The designs were unique and testament to the creativity and artistic talents of our students. In both the Danish and International departments of the school, prizes were given for the

wonderful details. Afterwards, they made little Sinterklass helper hats. Later the children put a shoe by the classroom fireplace and left a carrot for Sinterklass's horse. On arrival at school the following day, the children found a small present or a chocolate goody.

THE THREE KINGS DUTCH SINTERKLASS Dutch families kindly come into school to speak to the children about Sinterklass. First, the children learned about Sinterklass, his helpers, and this Dutch tradition's

The Spanish speaking community introduced the three kings festival to NIS. On 6th January, parents explain how the three kings offered presents to baby Jesus. To celebrate this, presents are given to children - so the lucky learners at NIS often receive a little gift. THE-INTL

"CHRISTMAS IS CELEBRATED DIFFERENTLY FROM COUNTRY TO COUNTRY, AND SO THE TRADITIONS CHANGE AS FAMILIES COME AND GO."

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WHERE'S THE 'GOD'

IN GOD JUL? PHOTOGRAPHS UNSPLASH / ISTOCK

TEXT SARAH REDOHL

Less than half of Danes believe in God, yet 75 percent are registered members of the Church of Denmark. Columnist Sarah Redohl thinks that’s not as paradoxical as it seems.

CHRISTMAS TIME IS here again! That means many Danes will soon be attending church for the first time this year, on Christmas Eve. Although 75 percent of Danes are registered members of the state-supported church of Denmark, only 3 percent regularly attend church. In fact, according to the Danish newspaper Kristeligt Dagblad, less than half of the members of the National church even believe in God. How can so many Danes identify as members of the National church without belief in God? Perhaps it’s not as paradoxical as it seems. CHRISTIANITY COMES TO DENMARK Today, Danish Christians generally see religion as a matter of national identity rather than religious identity, said Brian Arly Jacobsen, associate professor at the University of Copenhagen and an expert on the sociology of religion. At Denmark’s birth as a nation-state, religion and state were already deeply intertwined. The inscription on the Jelling Stone, often referred to as Denmark’s birth certificate, declared that the Viking king Harald Bluetooth had not only “won for himself all of Denmark” but also “made the Danes Christian.” In 1536, the church was officially integrated into the Danish state. But by the 1800s, the Danish Lutheran church had become too formal and ritualistic, too separate from Danes’ daily lives. N.F.S. Grundtvig and his followers began the revitalisation movement that intertwined Christian belief with Danish identity. According to historian Uffe Østergaard, this merging of Lutheranism, social democracy, and nationalism over the course of centuries has resulted in a particular form of Christianity in Denmark that “has become so deeply embedded in society that we no longer notice it at all.”

"RELIGION IS WHAT EVERYONE ELSE HAS." Many Danes, writes Kristeligt Dagblad, don’t equate their faith with religion: “Religion is what everyone else has.” This might explain why half of all Danes have a negative perception of religion, while so many remain members of the National church; it isn’t seen as a religion in the same way others are. Even religious practices and rituals in Denmark have become somewhat detached from the larger concept of religion. When sociologist Phil Zuckerman interviewed Danes for his book Society Without God, he noticed that formerly religious rituals still mark important moments in life but have little to do with the religious meaning behind those rituals. One example is the prevalence of confirmation, a ritual to affirm one’s faith in God that now marks the transition to adult-

hood. Seventy percent of Danish teens get confirmed; even those who opt out often have a ‘nonfirmation’ party. This ‘cultural Christianity’ is particularly evident around Christmas, the celebration of which is today considered largely secular. When religion is enmeshed with national identity, and the vast majority of a population share the same faith, it's easy for religion to become synonymous with culture. When the nation becomes secular, this culture - despite its religious origins - is also considered secular. Religion indeed becomes "what everyone else has."

SECULAR NATION, STATE CHURCH As the United Nations’ Special Rapporteur Heiner Bielefeldt writes, the Danish constitution protects religious freedom, but it does not guarantee religious equality. After all, the National church receives state funding alongside its constitutionally privileged position. According to the Danish Institute for Human Rights, recent legislation “has placed pressure particularly on religious minorities to limit certain religious manifestations.” For example, bans on face coverings or the requirement to shake hands during one’s citizenship ceremony. How do such policies conform to Denmark's constitutional right to freedom of religion? Perhaps, when one's own religion has become synonymous with culture, restrictions on the religious freedom of minorities might be perceived instead as cultural integration. Even so, two thirds of people living in Denmark who were born elsewhere say they experience more religious freedom here than in their country of origin, according to a poll by Statistics Denmark. And nine out of 10 believe their lives are better in Denmark than back home. The latter is a belief I share with many of my fellow internationals in Denmark. Nearly 200 years ago, Grundtvig wrote that one must be a good human before one can be a good Christian. Today, that poem (Menneske først og kristen så) has been reinterpreted by many Danes to mean that being a good human is more important than the religion to which one ascribes. The latter is a belief I share with my Danish neighbours. Whether Lutheran, Muslim, Buddhist, Catholic or Atheist, we are first and foremost human beings. “This,” Grundtvig wrote, “is the order of life.” THE-INTL

SARAH REDOHL JOURNALIST, WRITER, FILMMAKER Sarah is a journalist, writer, and filmmaker from the American Midwest. Although she holds a journalism degree from the University of Missouri, she’s been a natural-born storyteller since she could talk. Her work has taken her all over the world, from Amsterdam to Zambia and many places in between. She's travelled to more than 40 countries, living in several before settling down in Copenhagen with her partner and their two (well-travelled) cats. Prior to moving to Europe, Sarah worked in a variety of newsrooms, from print to radio, and taught multimedia journalism at her alma mater.

"WHEN RELIGION IS ENMESHED WITH NATIONAL IDENTITY, AND THE VAST MAJORITY OF A POPULATION SHARE THE SAME FAITH, IT'S EASY FOR RELIGION TO BECOME SYNONYMOUS WITH CULTURE."

@sarahredohl @sarahredohl @sarahredohl

DECEMBER 2021 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

KEEPING DANISH 'JUL' TRADITIONS EXPATS OFTEN SAY THAT REPATRIATION TO YOUR HOME COUNTRY IS THE HARDEST PART OF THE ADVENTURE. SHANI BISHOP SHARES HER REPAT JOURNEY WITH US. PHOTOGRAPHS ISTOCK / UNSPLASH

TEXT SHANI BISHOP

LAST CHRISTMAS WE had a sort of English Christmas in Denmark when we didn’t go home. This year we will have a sort of Danish Christmas in the UK. Last year I couldn’t get turkey, so we had chicken instead. I’m looking forward to eating turkey again this year. In the UK you can eat Christmas dinner any time you like because many restaurants and pubs offer it on the run-up to the big day.

DANISH TRADITIONS WE WILL KEEP

One Danish tradition we loved was eating Risalamande. The kids loved waiting to see who had found the whole almond - I think we will do this on Christmas Eve like in Denmark. Unfortunately, marzipan pigs are not plentiful here, so I plan to fashion one out of marzipan with the help of a YouTube video. I massively over brought Danish Christmas tree decorations in Denmark. We have lots of cute Danish flags and all sorts of glittery Brink Nordic delights, which will appear on the tree. This year we will have a full-sized real tree, our first one in 5 years, so I’m really looking forward to that. I love the smell, the glitter and the colour. In Denmark, all Christmas trees wear white lights - in the UK, there is a multitude of colours and variety. John Lewis, a nice department store here, is decked out in pink and green this year. In addition, all the department stores here released a Christmas advert. These cinematic style adverts are really glamorous and do a great job of tugging at your heart strings. Pebernødder. We all love these little ginger biscuits, so with 15 packets of Dr Oetker Pebernød mix in the cupboard, there will be plenty for Christmas this year and next! I plan to make some for guests, some for gifts, and cover others in chocolate like the ones from Irma. Yum!

THE NORWEGIAN GIFT Every year Norway gives an enormous Christmas tree to the UK. It is a gift to the people of Britain from Norway as a token of gratitude for British support to Norway during the Second World War. This huge tree sits in Trafalgar Square in London and is a focal point for carol singing throughout Christmas. Last year when everyone couldn’t gather the Mayor of London and Oslo made a film about the tradition. It was fantastic to see how the tree was cho-

DECEMBER 2021 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

sen from so many and transported to London. Read the story of “The history behind the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree” here to learn more. London is a great place to visit at Christmas. The angel lights along Regents Street are always phenomenal. I’ll also be heading for Covent Garden and Carnaby Street. Department stores such as Fortnum and Mason, Selfridges and Hamleys have fantastic window displays to see. I also want to visit the huge Waterstones books shop as it’s like Aladdin’s cave.

THE RUN-UP TO CHRISTMAS I really enjoy the few months before Christmas. There are

usually many events in our village: Victorian Christmas fair, a Christmas tree display, and lots of local fairs and concerts to enjoy. Light festivals seem to be very popular here, with many happening in London and locally. After five years away, just seeing family will be the greatest gift. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, everyone! THE-INTL

"ONE DANISH TRADITION WE LOVED WAS EATING RISALAMANDE. THE KIDS LOVED WAITING TO SEE WHO HAD FOUND THE WHOLE ALMOND ."

THE SCHOOLING CHOICE DILEMMA PHOTOGRAPHS ISTOCK / UNSPLASH

TEXT MONIKA PEDERSEN

THE EXPAT LIFESTYLE is usually perceived as glamorous, exciting, and adventurous. Of course, it is all these things, but there are downsides. Each family member has individual challenges such as a new job and work culture, perhaps no set job for an accompanying spouse, new school, and friends for the family's younger members. One of the biggest concerns for parents is selecting a school that is the best fit for their children. Help can come within the relocation package that includes a relocation agent, who helps with all the regular issues such as housing, moving, schooling etc. However, as the market has changed, this start-up help is sadly not always available, and parents are left to figure things out.

“A state school is also an exciting option as it provides a new learning opportunity both educationally and culturally.” - Monika Pedersen

SCHOOL CHOICES The initial question is what type of school: an international, a state school, or a boarding option. And, can a place be secured? An international school system has been a lifeline for many relocating parents. The schools follow a curriculum that has been approved and certified by international educational systems such as: The International Baccalaureate, The Cambridge Assessment of International Education, and educational councils such as The Council of International Schools, the New England Association of Schools and Collages, the Nordic Network of International Schools to mention just a few of the many associations which work in partnership to maintain standards, best educational practice, and professional collaboration among educators. The curriculum followed is a blend of international practices and aspects of national systems that are fused together. This fusion ensures that a mobile population of school children have the possibility of continuity in their education as they move from country or continent. And, more importantly, an education that is internationally recognised, so a child is not disadvantaged but ensured a very positive future at any institution of further education.

WHAT ARE YOUR OPTIONS? There are approximately 12 000 international schools around the world. In Denmark, the number is approximately 30, with

a large percentage located in Copenhagen and the surrounding areas. One of the key characteristics of an international school is that it is private, the language of instruction is usually English, and the school provides wraparound care with after school clubs and activities, a parent community group, and support systems. This leads to a situation where a child and the family become part of an expat community. This has tremendous benefits, such as an understanding and welcoming group of internationals who have been in a similar situation and are only too happy to help others make a smooth transition and begin an interesting new chapter. In contrast, a state school is also an exciting option as it provides a new learning opportunity both educationally and culturally. These schools often have more openings and can provide a wealth of resources. There is a transitionary year in Denmark, which involves intense language immersion, so a child is afforded every opportunity to acclimatise to the language before attempting to grapple with the curriculum. Attending a state-run school provides a student with the chance to learn a new language, experience a new curriculum, as well as the culture of the country, and make local friends. Nevertheless, this option requires resilience and a pioneering spirit. It is a good option for a family who has a longer work contract or intends to stay permanently.

In Denmark, the educational system has really considered its offerings. There are bilingual schools that allow students the best of both worlds. The school has two sections: a Danish section and an international one. The student has exposure to aspects of the Danish system while also following an international curriculum. These schools are a smart option as they avoid the 'expat bubble', which can reduce the authentic cultural experience while at the same time taking off the strain in mastering a totally new schooling system. Boarding is also an option, but often not so popular with a mobile family as the family wants to remain together rather than have a member located elsewhere. However, a boarding school allows a child total immersion into a new environment. As an educator who has worked in international, bilingual, and state schools, a good option, though depending on the family, is a bilingual school, as there is a real opportunity to have an authentic experience. The child develops resourcefulness and a global citizen's skill set to navigate a transitory and ever-changing environment. THE-INTL Sources: The International-School Surge The Atlantic https://iscresearch.com/

MONIKA PEDERSEN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATOR Monika comes from the London area of the UK, where she worked in the state system and the international school system, as an English teacher of 11-18 students and then a section leader. She has also worked in Germany and now in Denmark. She has an overview of the British, International, and American educational systems and is currently learning about the Danish system. She has been in education for 32 years and continues to enjoy the profession. She has relocated to Copenhagen as she is married to a Dane. She enjoys jogging, waterside walks, and cooking. @monikapedersen @monikapedersen

https://eng.uvm.dk/

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CHRISTMAS FUN FOR EVERYONE! WITH CHRISTMAS JUST AROUND THE CORNER, IT’S TIME TO GET EXCITED ABOUT UPCOMING FESTIVITIES! THIS MONTH WE OFFER SOME ACCESSIBLE CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES SUITABLE FOR ALL.

PHOTOGRAPHS UNSPLASH / ISTOCK

TEXT SARA R. NEWELL / NIKOLAOS PAPADOPOULOS

CHRISTMAS IS ALWAYS time for celebration, and here in Denmark, the land of hygge, it is a central tradition, intertwined with many Danes’ social and family lives. Whether big or small, Christmas events are abundant in the country, dressing it up in festive colours and providing fun and entertainment for all! But is it all-inclusive? In this issue, we checked out accessibility across the country for special needs families:

COPENHAGEN DELIGHTS The first and foremost place that comes to mind is the Tivoli amusement park in Copenhagen, one of Europe’s oldest amusement parks and most visited attractions; indeed a focal point for Christmas celebrations in the capital. There are new activities to choose from during the festive season. The park has made some strides towards accessibility, from free entry for assistant companions (this is not always an option in some places) to allowing visitors to loan wheelchairs for free. However, Tivoli does not come without issues - some rides are simply not accessible, large crowds can trigger sensory overload. In addition, brightly decorated amusement parks might prove too much for sensitive individuals, and lack of proper changing facilities for people lacking upper body strength might hamper their experience. For more information: https://www.tivoligardens.com/en/ praktisk/gaester-med-funktionsnedsaettelse

AARHUS HYGGE Tivoli Friheden, a similar amusement park in Aarhus, offers many identical options, although its website is much more limited in information. For more information: https://friheden.dk/information/

ILLUMINATIONS A series of events that really stand out are those of Lumagica. The organisation behind them holds light festivals from mid-November to December in Ringsted, Ødense, and Aabenraa. These festivals are genuinely suitable for all as they also take sensory disabilities into consideration. As a result, the festivals are not overpacked, the atmosphere is calming, and the lighting is smooth. In addition,

the paths are manageable for wheelchair users, and facilities are in place to service those in need. One downside is a lack of changing facilities for wheelchair users, which is sadly noticeable throughout Denmark. For more information: https://lumagica.dk/faq/

CHRISTMAS MARKETS Finally, local Christmas events are abundant across the land. As the country dons its festive outfit, Christmas fairs, markets, concerts, rides, and many more activities spring up across the country. Most of these activities are free, and one can find them on their municipality’s websites. Accessibility information for these activities is not always available, and it depends on where the activity is held. For example, Ribe’s Christmas celebrations are renowned, and buildings in the town are accessible - however, wheelchair users might have difficulty navigating the town’s cobbled roads. There are, however, two significant takeaways from our search. The first is that there is no real concerted effort to organise and promote events that are accessible to all. There is an utter lack of events dedicated to special needs families, accessibility information is not always prominent or even available, and a simple internet search is never enough to find accessible activities for everyone.

NIKOLAOS PAPADOPOULOS is originally from Greece, but has been living in Denmark for a few years. With a Bachelor's degree in Economics and a Master's degree in Marketing from the University of Southern Denmark, along with considerable work and volunteering experience in several areas, he has always had a passion for creative writing. He now lives in Esbjerg and enjoys physical activities, especially in nature, exploring new places, and discovering new cultures and ideas.

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"TRIPS OUT FOR SPECIAL NEEDS FAMILIES TAKE EXTENSIVE PLANNING, DEPENDING ON THE NEEDS OF THE IMPAIRED INDIVIDUAL(S), AND BEING UNABLE TO PLAN FOR A VISIT IS VERY FRUSTRATING." This might deter people even before the visit starts to an attraction or event. Trips out for special needs families take extensive planning, depending on the needs of the impaired individual(s), and being unable to plan for a visit is very frustrating. Additionally, while many activities are usually accessible to people with specific impairments, they do not cater to everyone. Larger events and venues tend to focus on wheelchair access, but they might fail to consider other kinds of sensitivities, such as sensory disabilities. For example, it is understandable that, by default, Christmas celebrations are full of artificial lighting, often accompanied by music, which might be uncomfortable for specific individuals. In that case, particular areas could be offered for sensory impaired people, where noise and lighting levels are moderated but can still offer a Christmas experience. A little consideration might go a long way towards true inclusivity, and Denmark could start showing how all of its people truly matter. THE-INTL

SARA R. NEWELL is from Canada, went to high-school in Costa Rica, and has worked and studied in Iceland and Denmark. She is a disability rights activist and has a master's degree in Technological Business Development and Biomedical Engineering from Aarhus University. Sara has lived in Denmark since 2003, and lives with her husband and daughter. She hopes to contribute and share insights with others who have children with disabilities. https://www.linkedin.com/in/sararose-newell-b1904726 / https://m.facebook.com/groups/bakopomdepaarorende

A GIFT FOR YOU

AND YOUR FAMILY FOLLOW ALONG TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ULTIMATE PRESENT OF BEING PRESENT AND INCORPORATING MINDFULNESS IN YOUR LIFE THIS YEAR. PHOTOGRAPHS UNSPLASH

TEXT AINA MASOOD

AS THE DAYS get colder and darker in Denmark, our natural inclination is to slow down, turn inward and enjoy cosy moments. However, as cities shine brighter than usual, we end up doing the complete opposite. The holiday season keeps most of us busy with planning and shopping for gifts. We want the perfect gift for our friends and family members, and heaps of time is spent thinking, buying, and wrapping presents. Consequently, rather than being joyful, the holiday season can become stressful. It’s understandable to be stressed because of the high expectation of our loved ones. We must acknowledge this stress and move forward purposefully by engaging in behaviours and activities that bring us joy.

THE PERFECT PRESENT The perfect present for you and your loved ones is the “Gift of Mindfulness”. Mindful.org defines mindfulness as “the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we are doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us”. While this sounds complex and creates a mental image of formal meditation practice, there are informal ways to practice the skill of mindfulness. For example, mindful eating, mindful walking, practising gratitude and love, conscious shopping, etc. The imperative rule here is to bring your attention to the here-and-now.

HOW TO BE MINDFUL There has been a surge in mindfulness research since the late 90s. It has been associated with improved mental health and is also linked with reduced stress, increased awareness and insight, attention to others’ well-being, and increased kindness to oneself and others. In addition, mindfulness is considered a low-cost intervention to mitigate signs and symptoms of stress.

AINA MASOOD PSYCHOLOGIST Aina is the founder and CEO everyone in a single shopping spree, allow yourself some time. Use this time to think about what you need to purchase and whether your budget allows the purchase. This will help you be mindful of your budget and spending. 2. Feeling your emotions Along with the positive emotions wrapped around the holiday time, the negative emotions like fatigue, anxiety, anger, and loneliness must also be recognised. These unexamined and underlying negative emotions might be leaving us overwhelmed and drained. To fully engage in holiday celebrations, mindfulness can help by helping us notice our emotions. Allow yourself to feel how you feel; acknowledge that everything is all right even when everything is not perfect and that imperfection is healthy and normal.

So, how can you enjoy the benefits of mindfulness this holiday season?

3. Savouring the joyous moments While we look forward to holidays and being with our friends and family, our attention to negative experiences can overshadow joy, love, and warmth. Try to savour the moments by being present in the moment. Notice how you feel while baking cookies, decorating your tree, watching movies, or just sitting and exchanging stories. Use kindness and mindfulness.

1. Mindful shopping Before you rush out to buy presents for

4. Reframe-Rephrase Be cognizant of how you talk about your

holidays. Notice the words you use. Generally, we are tempted to say that the holidays will be busy/exhausting/stressful as too much to do. Words have power. We can manifest joy by looking forward to happiness. Try reframing and rephrasing by saying how full of love, connection and fun your holidays will be. You can also set up for success by simplifying your holiday season. For example, instead of one person cooking for an entire family, share tasks and have fun in the kitchen. 5. Listen to a guided meditation If you want to be mindful and feel gratitude, you can practice guided meditations and use the attached links. There are also tons of resources available online. I would also remind you to be aware, mindful, and kind as you reflect on this year and make resolutions for the next. Finally, I wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year! THE-INTL

of R.A.I.N (Recognise, Accept, Investigate, Nurture), a company that helps universities and organisations take care of their colleagues and employees' mental health. Aina has completed her master's in clinical psychology from Pakistan. She has lived in the USA for 6 months and has been in Denmark for over a year. Passionate about mental health and destigmatising mental health problems, she is working towards helping individuals and organisations be healthier, happier, and more productive. She accomplishes this by working with clients via Skype, conducting workshops/webinars with various organisations, and through research and writing. She is

Additional Links: https://llttf.com/resources/mindfulness-slow-down-and-be https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=hH7U7UlHpoo&ab_ channel=GlobalWell-Being https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=U9YKY7fdwyg&ab_ channel=Goodful

a professional photographer and uses her pictures to reflect on her daily life and shares them on her blog. A psychologist, writer, speaker, mental health advocate, photographer, explorer, volunteer, and a wife, Aina is making her way through the world and narrating the story of her life.

"SAVOUR THE MOMENTS BY BEING PRESENT IN THE MOMENT."

https://www.linkedin.com/ in/ainamasood/ https://www.instagram. com/ayena_reflections/

DECEMBER 2021 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

JUTL AND

DANISH CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS AARHUS AND EASTERN JUTLAND IS HOME TO MANY INTERNATIONALLY-MINDED COMPANIES AND ORGANISATIONS THAT ALL CONTRIBUTE TO THE INTERNATIONALISATION OF THIS AREA. THIS MONTH TINY MAERSCHALK, WRITER AND HEAD OF INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, SHARES HER CHRISTMAS IN DENMARK EXPERIENCES.

PHOTOGRAPHS INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY / UNSPLASH.COM

TEXT TINY MAERSCHALK - INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

THERE IS NO doubt about it - the holiday season has hit Denmark full force. Outside it’s dark, dreary and cold, but bright lights light up the streets and houses both inside and out. It is the time of year to go all-in with Christmas hygge. This means devouring enormous amounts of sweets, biscuits and the all-time favourite gløgg and æbleskiver. After living in Denmark for 20 years, I admit that the Danish Christmas traditions are growing on me. Even though I still struggle with the nisser or pixies. Personally, I prefer angels. The months leading up to Christmas are dark and cold in Denmark, and each opportunity to fend off the gloom is more than welcome. I guess that is why Danes go totally bananas with candles, baking and decorations.

wonder why churches are filled to the brim on Christmas Eve, this being a solid contrast to the rest of the year where finding a seat in a Danish church is not an issue at all. “It is interesting that the one day where many Danes see it as cosy and meaningful to go to church is Christmas Eve (in the daytime). The current service is actually not that old but was institutionalised in the 1990s. So, of course, there have been services before, but the Christmas service many think about today is not a very old tradition. But the Christmas service is a good example of the relationship between the majority Church and the members and citizens of Denmark - it is a mix of traditions, practices and of course for some also personal beliefs.” Marie Vejrup Nielsen explains.

RELIGION OR CULTURE?

ADOPT, MERGE OR DISREGARD?

Christmas is a strong part of the religious heritage in many countries, and the Christmas traditions reflect that. In Denmark, however, it can be hard to find any religious focus. So I turned to Marie Vejrup Nielsen, Associate Professor and Deputy Head of School of Culture and Society at the Department of the Study of Religion at Aarhus University. Marie Vejrup Nielsen explains: “In Denmark, many Christian traditions are seen as “just culture” and are celebrated as Danish more than Christian. Most Danes see their own practices as something to do with family traditions and national traditions. At the same, for a scholar of religion, this is a form of religion. One that is not about personal beliefs, but about standard practices.” She continues: “The change from a religious to a cultural event has happened over a long period of time. As she continues: “In a way, religion is about common practic-

At work, you will be submerged in Danish Christmas traditions with decorations, your colleagues bringing home-baked goods, the canteen serving Danish Christmas food, the annual Christmas party or julefrokost, maybe even being your colleague’s secret nisser who is expected to engage in shenanigans. As an international, it can be challenging to find the balance between your own and Danish traditions. Do you adhere to your own traditions, adopt all the Danish traditions, or find a middle ground and mix your own with the local traditions? Especially in Denmark, where Christmas traditions are strong and dominate for several months, it can be challenging to find the balance, so your own traditions also get attention. Are you interested in finding out more about Danish Christmas traditions? Then follow International Community’s Facebook page, where we celebrate one tradition per day during December. THE-INTL

es, but of course, there has been a change over the centuries from a stronger traditional religious focus to a broader cultural focus today. This can, for example, be seen in how many Muslims in Denmark celebrate a form of Christmas, as part of the Danish-Muslim culture.” It took me years to realise that Christmas in Denmark is not a religious celebration but part of Danish culture. So one can

“It took me years to realise that Christmas in Denmark is not a religious celebration but part of Danish culture.” - Tiny Maerschalk

INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY OF AARHUS We of fe r a w ide ra ng e of events, seminars and online activities that help internationals get settled in Denmark. Learn more on our website or follow us on: www.erhvervaarhus.dk www.internationalcommu nity.dk @internationalcommunity Aarhus @internationalcommunity aarhus

DECEMBER 2021 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

CHRISTMAS ONCE AGAIN...

SUSAN JESSEN SPIELE LIBRARIAN Susan is a librarian at Roskil-

I am way more a Halloween person than a Christmas one. However, I had to promise my Editor to choose Christmas-filled novels this time. But I have sneaked my own version of the holiday spirit onto the list. So choose wisely - enjoy!

de Library, and in charge of the English section. She does English events all year; everything from expat dinners and pub quizzes, to karaoke nights

EASY AND LIGHTHEARTED

BRILLIANT, FUN AND ASTUTE

WRAPPED UP IN YOU BY CAROLE MATTHEWS

THE MISTLETOE MURDER AND OTHER STORIES BY P. J. JAMES

Hairdresser Janie's sin-

With a preface by

gle status is a constant source of gossip for her friends and clients. After too many nights in with her cat, a blind date disaster and news that her ex is getting married - Janie decides to holiday in Africa.

Val McDermid, these four short stories will brighten/darken your Christmas! Written by an author with keen insight, three of them are set during the holidays and will make you appreciate your own family more.

A HEARTBREAKING, UPLIFTING LOVE STORY

FAMILY, SECRETS AND DRAMA

THE WISH BY NICHOLAS SPARKS

THE CHRISTMAS PARTY BY KAREN SWAN

In 1996 sixteen-yearold Marissa is sent to

Three sisters are

a small town in North

thrown into a family

Carolina. Here she

crisis when their father

meets and falls for

dies and leaves the cas-

Bryce. In 2019 she is a

tle to the youngest es-

renowned travel pho-

tranged sister. She de-

tographer in New York

cides to sell, and a final

and grounded during

great Christmas party

Christmas tells her as-

is their farewell and the

sistant about her past.

new owners hello.

and book talks.

DID YOU KNOW? Join the pub quiz at the library Thursday the 9th of December; you can come as a team (max 6 persons), or if you come alone, we will help you find a team. You are welcome to bring your own beverage, or you can buy it here. The chips/crisps are on the house! Free tickets: Pub Quiz at the library!

DECEMBER 2021 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

THE IMPORTANCE OF MENTORSHIPS THE INTEGRATION AND EMPLOYMENT OF INTERNATIONALS THROUGH MENTORSHIP.

PHOTOGRAPHS ISTOCK

THE 1ST OF November marked a celebratory day for graduates of the Greater Copenhagen Career Program (GCCP), a six-month career programme designed to assist university students with their job search in Denmark. The ceremony was held at Rådhuspladsen with the Mayor of Employment and Integration, Cecilia Lonning-Skovgaard, acknowledging the commitment and success of participants in 2021. Through monthly seminars, networking events with Danish companies, and a personalised mentor, the GCCP encourages the integration and employment of graduates in Denmark. Led by Business House Copenhagen (Københavns Erhvervshus), the GCCP is funded by Copenhagen Municipality and EU Social Funds. Organisations collaborating with the GCCP also included Copenhagen Capacity, Garuda A/S, Relocare, Perspectiv, Nelleberg Potentialeudvikling, Science City Lyngby, IDA, Prosa, DM, Djøf, SIRA, AKA and numerous educational institutions in Denmark. This year I was honoured to participate as a mentor, offering guidance to a Scottish Master’s student while connecting with professionals throughout Copenhagen. As a result, since 2015, the GCCP has graduated six hundred and forty students, matched one hundred and sixty mentor-mentees annually, and successfully achieved a sixty percent employability rate.

MENTOR AND MENTEE MATCH Matching the mentor and mentee is an essential aspect of the GCCP, and Bridget Cerafoglil speaks highly about her experience. Originally from Italy, Bridget has been in Denmark for a little over two years. After completing her Master’s degree at Aarhus University, she successfully secured employment as a Sales and Operations Manager with Globe Publishing. Bridget shares some of her takeaways.

TEXT SKYLER BENTLEY HALL

ness negotiations or intercultural conflicts. This expertise is revealing itself quite valuable for my current role. The experience of studying abroad helped expand my perspective while observing the world around me. I developed a problem-solving mindset and an adaptive attitude. What were the benefits of working with a mentor? The work I pursued with my mentor made me feel comfortable and aware of my possibilities in the Danish job market, either from a professional or personal point of view. After setting and tailoring my profile to past experiences and future ambitions, we discussed the different rules and aspects of the labour market in Denmark. I learned what to expect, what to provide the employers, and what to ask as an employee. One of the main takeaways was building awareness about my professional profile and the idea that being a foreigner is not a negative but a strong asset to advertise. Why should students consider the GCCP? Being an international student is an amazing but challenging experience. It could be challenging to find your space in a society with different values and different labour cultures. For this reason, I consider it very relevant to receive help and support during this process, as the GCCP aims to do. I also enjoyed meeting people from different countries and backgrounds. Exchanging perspectives and ideas made this experience even more meaningful. Learn more about GCCP: https://international.kk.dk/artikel/ what-greater-copenhagen-career-program or contact Malene Stausholm Perkins, Relocare Group ApS, to become a mentor: msp@relocare.dk THE-INTL

How did your studies contribute to your current role? I was enrolled as a Master student at Aarhus University in the Intercultural Studies and International Communication programme. This provided me with the knowledge needed to manage and succeed in any kind of communication exchange between different linguistic and cultural parties, such as international busi-

DECEMBER 2021 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANT Skyler is originally from Canada, and after living in Switzerland for several years, she transitioned to Denmark with her husband and son all proud Canadians. Skyler has worked in the education sector for three decades and found her true passion for supporting students with their educational journey. As the Founder of Bentley Hall Educational Consulting, she advises on career and university options globally. Skyler enjoys spending time with family, ex-

"I was lucky to get Bridget as

Why did you join the GCCP? While studying in Denmark, I liked the country and system on which society is based, so I considered staying permanently after graduation. My main concern at this stage was whether or not I could fit in the job market after leaving student status. While conversing with an international friend, I learned about the GCCP and applied with success.

SKYLER BENTLEY HALL

ploring new cultures, and em-

a mentee - she is an extreme-

bracing the hygge lifestyle in

ly hard-working, bright person,

beautiful Denmark.

highly motivated in building a successful career. She listens carefully and contributes to a good discussion. Her determination and eagerness to learn and

bentleyhall.ca instagram.com/skylerbent leyhall/

develop became the key fac-

facebook.com/skyler.bent

tors of the project's success and

leyhall

made my work as a mentor easy and highly satisfying." - Valeria Lebedieva, Virksomhedskonsulent, Københavns Kommune

YOUR TIME WILL COME... A LETTER TO THE NEXT GENERATION OF INTERNATIONAL LOCAL AND REGIONAL CANDIDATES. PHOTOGRAPHS ISTOCK

TEXT NARCIS GEORGE MATACHE

HELLO THERE, BRAVE international. I can see that an idea is beautifully taking roots inside your head. The idea is to take a step forward in your community and become a candidate for Denmark's 2025 local and regional elections. You are probably wondering – "will I still make history as an international in Danish local and regional politics?" Yes, you will. There are 97 municipalities (Not 98 because Samsø had a Dutch mayor) and four regions (Not five because Nordjylland had a Romanian councilman), which never had a person without Danish citizenship elected. We represent 10% of the population, and after the 2021 local and regional elections, we have no local and regional councilmen representing our interests. In 2013, we had a Dutchman elected in the Local Council of Samsø. In 2017, we had four international candidates, with one becoming the first deputy. In 2020, the first deputy became the first international elected in a Regional Council. In 2021, we had the largest field of candidates ever (more than 30), with more than half from the Romanian minority. Unfortunately, the path towards representation is long and full of obstacles. However, as a veteran of local and regional elections (campaign leader in 2013; candidate in 2017 and 2021), I can confirm that we made progress. If in 2013, the presence of internationals at the voting booths surprised many people, in 2021, we had instruction signs in English (in many municipalities, not all). If in 2013, only one Danish candidate spoke towards internationals, in 2021, we had many Danish candidates attempting to open dialogue with internationals. If in 2013, on the municipalities' websites, it wasn't mentioned that we could vote, in 2021, all the municipalities wrote about it, with some even choosing to do it multilingual. Slowly, we are reaching the critical step, in which all internationals know that they can vote, and all the Danes know that we can vote—the expected evolution towards common knowledge.

NARCIS GEORGE MATACHE POLITICIAN Born in 1990 in a village in the north-east of Romania, Narcis made Aalborg his new home since 2009. Smitten by the Danish model, he decided to get involved in the local comWhile the voting presence of internationals keeps getting better, seven out of ten internationals never voted in Denmark. We don't know the voting presence in 2021 (for internationals specifically) yet - however, the general trend doesn't look optimistic. The Danes had the lowest voting percentage in a century. So, while we progress on making the knowledge of voting rights common, that doesn't automatically translate into usage. The next big challenge we need to tackle is the lack of knowledge and trust in politics. Basically, internationals need to answer these questions in their heads – Why? and what for? A Dane is continuously cultivated into the arts of democracy and politics. An international most likely has been touched by the hands of democracy and politics. Some even left a little nervous. Rebuilding trust, exonerating the word "politician" of negative connotations, educating about political processes and practising with democracy are all needed before an international will

"SLOWLY, WE ARE REACHING THE CRITICAL STEP, IN WHICH ALL INTERNATIONALS KNOW THEY CAN VOTE." feel comfortable to use their right to vote. Telling an international that they can vote is simply is not enough. Brave future international candidate. I advise you to already start your campaign in 2022. One year before is just not enough. Especially if you plan to activate international voters, make a monthly target to meet at least 2% of the votes you need to get elected. Become visible in the community, join different associations, make or participate in events. Attract people with different backgrounds around you. Empower the international community by organising them locally. That is my advice to you. Start early, and I am sure you will make history in 2025. For you and for us all, that share your destiny. THE-INTL

munity leading to him becoming a strong voice on the topic of usage of the local political rights by the internationals. In 2017, he became the first nonDanish citizen to run for regional elections and to represent Denmark in the Council of Europe. He holds or held leadership positions in European Youth Denmark, Europabevægelsen, Socialdemokratiet Nørresundby, DSU Aalborg, and Frit Forum International. www.facebook.com/Narcis George.Matache/ https://www.linkedin.com/ in/narcisgmatache/

LAST WEEK IN

DENMARK

DECEMBER 2021 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

VISIT RØMØ & TØNDER

VISIT LANGELAND - JOHN RASMUSSEN

WINTER HOUSE HYGGE IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST CHRISTMAS IN DENMARK OR THE FIRST TIME YOU HAVEN’T PLANNED A HOLIDAY ELSEWHERE, WHY NOT CONSIDER STAYING IN A SUMMER HOUSE YOU HAVEN’T BEEN TO BEFORE AND HAVE A HOLLY, JOLLY CHRISTMAS. YOU MIGHT DISCOVER NEW DANISH TRADITIONS OR EVEN MAKE FRIENDS WITH YOUR LOCAL NEIGHBOURS DURING YOUR STAY.

PHOTOGRAPHS UNSPLASH / VISITDENMARK

TEXT OPHELIA WU

WHAT COMES TO mind when you think of a Danish Christmas? Tivoli? Julefrokost? Or the smell of gløgg? What about Summer houses? Chances are, when you’re in Denmark, you have seen empty streets during summer as if the cities are left with only half the population. The concept of summer houses in Denmark is probably like the country houses in the UK (think Cotswolds) and US (think Hamptons). Every now and then, families want to get away from the bustling cities and retreat into a quiet and peaceful place or a common meeting point for all family members who live around the world.

OPHELIA WU FASHION CONSULTANT & JOURNALIST

THE DANES AND THEIR SUMMER HOUSES Summer houses are very rooted in the Danes' lifestyle, and they date back to 400 years ago when the government started giving out small plots of land to industrial workers who live in a crowded city, so they have a chance to get away from all that for some fresh air and quiet time. This has led to over 200,000 summer houses in the country - some on the coast with an endless sea view, some in the middle of the woods, and some on the many islands. As internationals, some might be unfamiliar with this concept of having a little summer house in the countryside. In some countries, the cost of having a countryside cottage is too high, some might find it unnecessary. So while we’re all here in Denmark now, we might as well take advantage of it and experience it if you haven’t been invited to one before. Yes, it’s not summer yet, but how about using them as a miniChristmas get-together or getaway? With some uncertainties of travelling still hanging in the air, domestic getaways are the next best thing. These Danish summerhouses come in all shapes and sizes, and they are all over the country. Wherever you choose, one thing for sure is that they are quintessentially Danish - you will find yourself amongst the most simple Danish design, with access to nature and a good night's sleep.

A DANISH STAYCATION There are plenty of things, or not that many, to do around Christmas in Denmark. But, it depends on what you enjoy

DECEMBER 2021 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

L i ke he r hometow n Hong Kong, Ophelia has a diverse background and upbringing. She moved to Copenhagen in 2019 after 10 years of living in London. Her fashion and jourYOU HAVE TO REMEMBER, DANES RETREAT TO THEIR SUMMER HOUSES WHEN THEY ARE NOT WORKING AND DURING HOLIDAYS, SO THESE HOUSES ARE MEANT FOR RELAXING AND RECHARGING YOURSELF WHILE BEING SEMI-DETACHED TO THE BUSY WORLD OUTSIDE. - spending a week in one of the summerhouses on Bornholm or Fyn, even in North Jutland, can be rejuvenating. Exploring the local Christmas markets are as festive and nostalgic as a fairy tale, or looking into the clear skies and star gazing while you contemplate your life, these summerhouses are sure to be a base for you to explore everything around town. While not all 200,000 summer houses are available for rent, because, let’s be honestthese are houses owned by families, inherited from their grandparents, not everyone is comfortable renting out their private sanctuary, especially over festive seasons. But imagine being in a cosy cottage on the coast with the backdrop of some mighty old pine trees, the hurling wind, and the crisp cold air outside the window in stark contrast with the crackling sound of a wood-burning fireplace while you sit around with your loved ones, warm and toasty, covered with a woollen blanket and a cup of mulled wine (gløgg) as they call it here. Isn’t that dreamy and cosy? Hyggelig is the word you will be using for sure. You have to remember, Danes retreat

to their summerhouses when they are not working and during holidays, so these houses are meant for relaxing and recharging yourself while being semi-detached to the busy world outside. Don’t expect to find a McDonald’s right at your doorstep, but you will find delicious and healthy local produce. I don’t know about your experience, but when I was living in London, I found the idea of going to the countryside in Cotswolds or a tiny village up in Scotland near one of the Loches very exciting. The times I spent in those little cottages with homemade breakfast, long strolls in quaint old towns and whatever nature was close by were just so calming and soothing. I had the best sleep and woke up to birds singing and the warm sunlight - they always made me feel reinvigorated. What’s not to love? There are no flights to catch, it’s easily accessible by road, it’s sustainable, and you can even make stops along the way to explore more towns. Perhaps the budget might end up the same as a ski package in Germany, but a domestic staycation sounds less stressful given the current situation. THE-INTL

nalism career began in 2007 at ELLE Hong Kong magazine, and later on as an online stylist at Net-A-Porter.com in the UK; she has worked with all sorts of creatives, brands and celebrities globally. She now works on everything fashion and communicationrelated. With her love of travelling and places her work brought her to, people she met from all walks of life inspired her to start her own business M for Minimal: a place to raise the awareness of going back to basics through conscious consumption and mindfulness with a touch of spirituality - something she has been practising since her teenage years. @mforminimal.com @mforminimal.mfm @opheliawu

E-BOKS THE DANISH NATIONAL DIGITAL POST OFFICE.

PHOTOGRAPHS ISTOCK

TEXT MARIANO ANTHONY DAVIES

OUR EBOKS IS in many ways the new Danish national digital post office. It is a secure electronic mailbox used to receive digital mail from the private sector, such as bank correspondence and the public authorities. Denmark has become one of the most digitalised societies. Except for some of the elderly, who can apply for exemption, every adult has access to the established Danish digital post office called eBoks, which can be accessed through a Danish national security system known as NEMID. It's also good to note that when your child turns 15, they will need to have their own NEM-ID. Additionally, if you have a special needs child who cannot communicate, you will need to apply for a digital signature to receive access to their eBoks. A physical letter has become something historical in Danish. Private and public communication is carried out digitally and eBoks has become our letterbox for all public and private sector communication. This shift in the way we communicate that with each other has led to the closure of the Post Office service as we knew it in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The Post Office in Denmark is now run by Post Nord, the Swedish postal service that incorporated Post Danmark (the Danish postal service) back in 2014. The traditional Post Office building dedicated to postal services has been replaced in Denmark by more than 34.000 retail outlets, where citizens pick up packages. A package can be sent from these locations and picked up from one of these locations. However, packages can also be delivered to business and private addresses for a small delivery fee.

WHAT IS EBOKS? As a digitally based service, eBoks allows you to read your mail online anywhere, at any time and from any device (computer, tablet or mobile phone). Each person's eBok is linked to their Danish Personal Registration Number and is not dependent upon any form of geographical location. Furthermore, there is no charge for using this service, which has become the cornerstone of all mail communication in Denmark. Whenever an individual's eBoks receives a new mail, the recipient also receives an email or SMS to know when a new mail item has been placed in the eBoks.

MARIANO ANTHONY DAVIES PRESIDENT & CEO OXFORD BUSINESS SERVICES APS Mariano has over 40 years global experience as a bus All eBoks communication is stored in each person's digital space, where it will remain unless the owner decides to delete any historical correspondence, and there is no limit to how much mail you may have in your eBoks. Access to mails is straightforward and intuitive. This probably explains why over 5 million Danes are registered users and over 600.000 companies. This millennium service now receives more than 10 million online daily contacts, and within a six-day week, the service delivers to approximately 150 million residences and 13 million companies.

THE HISTORY OF EBOKS The first marketed design goes back to 2001 and already by 2004, eBoks was able to offer a secure digital signature in Denmark. A year later, all Public Sector employees received their payslips via eBoks. By 2009, eBoks surpassed 2 million users and 3 million by 2011 – the same year that eBoks was introduced in Norway. By the time that eBoks was introduced

in Sweden in 2015, the digital system had more than 11 million users in the Nordic countries and during 2017, more than 442 million documents were sent via eBoks to 14 million people globally. In 2018, e-Boks decided to join the United Nations Global Compact Pro gramme to contribute to promoting positive global development. Specifically, eBoks works with the UN Global Goals, where its focus is on responsible production (SDG 12) and a citizens' right to data protection (SDG 16), creating multiple digital mailboxes for the joy and benefit of the individual and the environment. 2019 was the year e-Boks took a massive growth leap on the international market. In Ireland, e-Boks was chosen as a supplier of public digital post, just as Greenland chose e-Boks as their supplier of digital post. Furthermore, 2019 was also when e-Boks launched a new app containing e-Boks Plus that provides users with a range of value-added services. Less than 20 years after its launch, eBoks now sends over half a billion documents annually. THE-INTL

ness executive. He spent ten years with KPMG, so far thirty years with British Chambers of Commerce (while also running Oxford Business Services ApS). He is a British citizen, who grew up in Kent, went to boarding school in Sussex and has a British university education. He has been married to a Dane for over 45 years and has held over 150 official anti-Brexit speeches since 2016. He both speaks and writes Danish without difficulty. oxford-business.com

OVER 5 MILLION DANES ARE REGISTERED USERS AND OVER 600.000 COMPANIES. DECEMBER 2021 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

SEPARATION ANXIETY IN DOGS PHOTOGRAPHS ISTOCK / UNSPLASH.COM

TEXT TAREK ABU SHAM

DOGS ARE SOCIAL creatures who will give you attention no matter what. However, this unconditional love may create problems when you have to leave your dog alone at home. Your dog may feel lonely when "left" alone. This is called separation anxiety, and dogs quickly become addicted to company. If this company has suddenly disappeared, then dogs can quickly become frustrated, sad, and scared. Symptoms of a stressed dog can be obvious and include things chewed to pieces, faeces and urine on the floor, teeth marks on furniture, etc. Sounds terrible, right? If your dog is already suffering some separation anxiety, check out these tips to help improve the situation.

TAREK ABU SHAM

FIVE TIPS ON FIGHTING SEPARATION ANXIETY IN DOGS: 1. PROVIDE YOUR DOG WITH ENOUGH EXERCISE It may well be that once in a while, we do nothing all day. It feels nice, cosy and well deserved. Our dogs also like to relax, but spending a whole day without activities is a huge no-no! Dogs need to be stimulated through both physical and mental activities. Dogs have different activity levels based on their breed and age. But whether you have a French Bulldog or a Rottweiler, they both need to have their activity levels met. Otherwise, they will get bored and amuse themselves, and you most likely will not be happy with that. 2. TURN ON THE MUSIC AND PROVIDE A SMALL SPACE TO ROAM Silence can be calming to us, but too much quiet can be problematic. Having some music in the background for your dog will help provide some calm. Dogs are usually surrounded by people when they are at home, and even though it may not seem this way, they listen all the time. The radio will not replace you, but it will help fill the void. Also, the smaller the space that is available for your dog, the better. Many people leave their dogs in a kennel as the dog will feel safer, and it limits the risk of the destruction of objects. 3. GREETINGS AND FAREWELLS Do you kiss your dog before leaving home? Or say hello first thing when you get home? Doing that will only "hype up" the atmosphere, and then you disappear. Showing excessive emotion upon arrival can indicate that something should be celebrated, so your dog will interpret your next departure as something unwelcome and will make it harder for your dog to stay home alone and increase the level of separation anxiety. It is not wise to leave your dog alone for more than 5-7 hours a day - this applies to trained dogs. With puppies, the time is much shorter. Train your dog gradually by letting your dog think you are really leaving. Take the keys and lock the door behind you - wait a certain amount of time and then come back. Repeat the process several times a day. If your dog is calm, stay outside a little longer the next day. Stay calm when you leave or arrive as dogs pick up how you feel.

DECEMBER 2021 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

CEO & FOUNDER OF MYPETERINARIAN

4. GIVE YOUR DOG SOME ALONE TIME It's only natural to spend time with your dog when you're at home - talking, playing, or cuddling together. Keep in mind, though, that all this attention can affect your dog's well-being when you are not together. It is good that you want to spend a lot of time with your dog, but overstimulation can have negative consequences. Is your dog running around and playing all day in the garden? It might be a good idea to turn it down a notch as it will shock your dog if the activities go from 100 to 0 when no one is home. So give your dog some alone time as it will help develop a little independence while you are together! 5. EXTRA HELP To lend a hand while you're away, why not hire a dog sitter or walker who can come to your home, spend some time with your dog, and reduce the overall period of alone time? This will also provide your dog with some much-needed exercise and the opportunity to socialize.

NO SEPARATION ANXIETY = NO PROBLEMS...ALMOST. Although separation anxiety is not the only problem we experience with our dogs, the anxiety can create a very bad mood. If the mood is bad for a long time, it can lead to inappropriate behaviour from both dog and owner. Remember, should you need some assistance with your anxious dog, MyPeterinarian provides a professional to look after your dog while at work! THE-INTL

Tarek was born in Amman, Jordan and from an early age has had a love for animals. He met his spouse in Amman and then soon embarked on an expat lifestyle that took him to Dubai, Prague, and now Copenhagen. Originally a veterinarian, Tarek reinvented himself professionally and decided to launch his own company. W it h M Y P E T E R I NA R I A N , Tarek has combined his veterinary experience with his entrepreneurial spirit. MyPeterinarian cares for pets in the Copenhagen area, offering pet sitting, walking, veterinary services and more to come soon. www.mypeterinarian.com

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How to use a face mask

Before use: Wash your hands or use hand sanitiser

Find out which side of the mask is the front. It is usually the coloured side

Cover your nose and mouth with the face mask and secure it behind your ears

Make sure the face mask sits tightly against your face

Do not touch the face mask during use. Change it often and always put on a new one if it gets wet or dirty

To remove the face mask, take hold of the elastic ear loops, and do not touch the face mask itself

After use: Wash your hands or use hand sanitiser

You can reuse a face mask if you are only going to wear it briefly, for example if you need to get up and go to the toilet at a restaurant. Keep it in a plastic bag or inner pocket. Always use hand sanitiser before and after use.

27.10.2020

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