The International - September 2018 by The International Denmark

international

the

ISSN 2596-5220

FOOD: BAKED GOODIES

DISCOVER: INNOVATIVE AARHUS

CULTURE: FIND YOUR PLACE

TRAVEL: DISCOVER DENMARK

SEPTEMBER 2018 - THE-INTL.COM

FREE

EMBRACING LIFE IN DENMARK

PAPER

ED LEY ON DEALING WITH CHANGE

SEPTEMBER 2018 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

DISCOVER MORE OPEN UP YOUR MINDS AND HEARTS TO DISCOVERING DENMARK. THERE IS SO MUCH OUT THERE JUST WAITING TO BE EXPLORED...

UNLESS YOU'VE BEEN living under a rock, I'm sure you've watched the Fox News story unfold about Venezuela being compared to Denmark. Denmark may not be my "home" country, but like a protective parent, I went on the defensive about the news report that attacked Denmark shamelessly. My husband, who is a Dane, was quite amused by my rantings and how I stuck up for Denmark. Just goes to show how after 11 years here, how much I love my adoptive country. It was lovely to see how politely, and with actual concrete facts, Dan Jørgensen from the Socialdemocratic Party responded to Fox News - killing them with kindness as only Danes can do! When does that transition happen from being an expat to falling in love with your adoptive country? For some people it's a case of love at first sight, for others a friendship has to develop first before they are totally in love. This past summer has been wonderful, and exactly the kind of summers I'm used to coming from South Africa. But, all good things have to come to an end, and the rain has begun to fall, cool nights are moving in as we

slowly slide into autumn. But it's not time to retreat inside just yet! September has some great events lined

up, from CPH Pix, food festivals and marathons from pages 4-9. This issue we introduce a new column to the mix - The International Community of Aarhus. Keeping our Jutland expats up-to-date with all that's happening in the area, and sharing expat Subhiksha's story about her move to Denmark on page 30. Claire's business column introduces us to modern cultural anthropologist, Rob Scotland. Find out about his exciting world on page 21. As it's important for The International to appeal to expats all over the country, our newest column by wellknown, Kay Xander Mellish, will introduce you to life outside of Copenhagen on page 26. So keep exploring Denmark, meeting people outside of the "big cities" - Denmark is full of little towns just waiting to be explored. Here's wishing you a great September, hoping all your children have settled back into school, and that you're transitioning into life in Denmark!

“To move, to breathe, to fly, to float, to gain all while you give, to roam the roads of lands remote, to travel is to live.” - Hans Christian Andersen

Love,

LYNDSAY JENSEN MANAGING EDITOR AND PARTNER WEBSITE: THE-INTL.COM

MEET THE TEAM MANAGING EDITOR & PARTNER LYNDSAY JENSEN has twenty years' experience in the advertising and publishing industry, and holds degrees in Business and Desktop Publishing (print and repro). Born in the UK, and brought up in South Africa, she has the ability to understand different cultures, and is passionate about networking. She is a wife of twenty one years and mother to two boys aged 20 and 14. She loves travel, photography and art. lyndsay@the-intl.com

INTERN LÉA SEVERINO is a Master's student in Film & Media Studies at the University of Copenhagen and an aspiring journalist. Passionate about literature and arts, she started writing culture-related articles for the newspaper of her home university in Switzerland, where she graduated with a Bachelor's in French and Cinema. lea@the-intl.com

SALES For advertising sales, please contact: sales@the-intl.com ADDRESS

The International ApS, Industrivej 14, 4683 Rønnede; +45 42676745

Provins-Trykkeriet ApS, Vordingborg

COVER PICTURE MANAGING DIRECTOR & PARTNER KENNETH MACALPINE is a Nordic Financial Manager in the Transport industry. His education is in Finance and he has a business degree obtained in the UK. Born in Norway he moved to Denmark at the age of 22. He is of Danish Scottish ancestry and lives in southern Denmark with his large multi-national family consisting of Danish, Irish and Brazilian heritage. He is always interested in new challenges and loves to live life to the fullest. kenneth@the-intl.com

SUB-EDITOR DAVID NOTHLING-DEMMER is a print and digital writer, communicator and media production manager/ editor. He has several years’ experience in the media and publishing industry, and holds a Master’s degree in media and politics from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa). He is passionate about politics, publishing and people-empowerment. He is a husband of almost two years, and has a love affair with good food and wine. david@the-intl.com

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ADVERTISING SALES HEIDI GREVES is married, and a mother of six boys. She Moved back to Denmark five and a half years ago after 14 years in Kent, England. Born in Copenhagen to a British mother and a Danish father, Heidi has knowledge and language skills of both countries. She has experience in the tourism industry in Denmark, and sales experience in England. She loves to be creative with photography, art and baking, and loves to socialise. heidi@the-intl.com

DISTRIBUTION SATYA PRAPANCA is married, and moved to Denmark one and a half years ago from Indonesia. His previous work experience includes; subtitle translator, documentary films, photographer, and music curator in his spare time! Satya's passion is composing music with his guitar and laptop. He enjoys nothing more than taking in the beauty of Copenhagen while enjoy coffee/tea and cake at a local cafe.

Lidia Drzewiecka at Visuable

DISTRIBUTION

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

SUBSCRIPTIONS

For home or corporate delivery of the printed edition please contact: distribution@the-intl.com The International is published 12 times a year. This issue was published on August 28, 2018

CVR:

39118181

Learn Danish your way www. laerdansk .dk SEPTEMBER 2018 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

WHAT'S ON

IN SEPTEMBER IT'S ALL HAPPENING IN SEPTEMBER; FROM HALF MARATHONS AND SPORTING DAYS OUT ON THE STREETS OF DENMARK TO FOOD FESTIVALS AND MUSIC EVENTS TO ENTERTAIN AS AUTUMN SHOWS ITS FACE.

COPENHAGEN

ABSALON

FOXY BROWN

EGESKOV SLOT

KVÆRNDRUP

1 SEPTEMBER

3 SEPTEMBER

4 SEPTEMBER

CLASSIC DAYS

GOLDEN DAYS: FOXY BROWN

SYNG SAMMEN

A unique opportunity for you to see and follow some of the world's rarest and most historic vehicles in the setting they were built for – streets and roads. The atmosphere will be historically authentic, and you are welcome to dress up accordingly, and become part of Classic Days. Classic Days is not just about vehicles, but also about history, culture and entertainment from 1900 to 1980. Classic Days is a cornucopia of car models from different countries, stalls selling food, music and classic garb, not to mention the big and beautiful road race from Egeskov out to various towns on Funen.

In collaboration with the Golden Days Festival, Cinemateket in September explores the shadow pages of Bfilm, where instructors had the freedom to experiment with style and taboo subjects. Director, Jack Hill, is one of the B's master craftsmen, and Foxy Brown (1974) is the sequel to the hit Coffy (1973), both with star Pam Grier, who plays the Queen of Blaxploitation. The films are rooted in both the Black Power movement and feminist currents in the 1970s. Pam Grier is both a strong woman, a caring mother, a sex object and a fearsome antiracist warrior. On the one hand, the films can be criticised for cultivating stereotypes about gender and race, and, on the other hand, to be honoured as giving feminist empowerment to women and minorities. In any case, they are violently entertaining, flabby and taboo-cruising - complete with groovy funk music. On September 3, the DFI will show Foxy Brown with introduction by Information Culture Editor, Katrine Hornstrup Yde, focusing on the feminism's historical significance and continued relevance.

Looking for a fun way to learn the Danish language? Do you enjoy singing? Every 1st Tuesday of the month all singing voices are gathered in the Tower Room on the 3rd floor of Absalon. Singing primarily Danish songs, both new and old, rhythmic and simple, beautiful and sad, Syng Sammen will have you singing some of the famous season songs. If you are 16 years or older , join this festive event where you will sing songs from texts or by listening and learning along the way. You do not need singing experience, all voices are welcome. Purchase tickets for DKK 50 via ticket link, with excess tickets being sold at the bar.

ADMISSION: SEE WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS - WWW.EGESKOV.DK/EN LOCATION: EGESKOVGADE 18, VED EGESKOV, 5772 KVÆRNDRUP

ADMISSION: TICKETS - HTTPS://BIT.LY/2KE7DVR TIME: 20:00 – 21:30 LOCATION: ABSALON, SØNDER BOULEVARD 73, 1720 COPENHAGEN

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VISITCOPENHAGEN

COFFY

VISITFAABORG

ADMISSION: SEE WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS WWW.DFI.DK/CINEMATEKET TIME: 19:15 – 21:10 LOCATION: CINEMATEKET, GOTHERSGADE 55, 1123 COPENHAGEN

NYBORG

NYBORG KOMMUNE

SILKEBORG

ARLA FOOD FEST

TOUR DE GUDENÅ

AARHUS

7-9 SEPTEMBER

8 SEPTEMBER

8-9 SEPTEMBER

ARLA FOOD FEST

TOUR DE GUDENÅ

Arla Food Fest is a three-day event being held from September 7-9 at the Tangkrogen in Aarhus. The event showcases many food-related products, creating a public, sensuous event with a particular focus on the gastronomic, Nordic food culture. The Food Fest unites the most influential Nordic breeders, chefs and producers for an exchange of experiences and exciting food debate. Additionally, the festival facilitates and mediators the spread the acquaintance of Nordic food both nationally and internationally.

Tour de Gudenå is a one-day, 73-kilometre or 42-kilometre race for all classes. The 73-kilometre race is kicked off in Silkeborg on the lake in the heart of the city, and the finish line is Randers Bridge in Randers. The race offers two ‘pit stops’ – at Ans and Langå – where the participants can take a break and refuel their bodies with refreshments. The race thus has no stages, but is run in one stretch.

KNIGHTS OF THE NORTHERN KINGDOM

ADMISSION: SEE WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS WWW.ARLA.DK/OM-ARLA/EVENTS/ARLA-FOOD-FEST/ LOCATION: TANGKROGEN, AARHUS

ADMISSION: SEE WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS WWW.TOURDEGUDENAA.DK LOCATION: SØVEJ 1, 8600 SILKEBORG

Experience authentic medieval atmosphere in an original setting in one of the most important castles in Danish medieval history – Nyborg Castle. "Nyborg Kampdage", the Battle Market takes place in the second weekend in September. Knights from Northern Europe meet at Nyborg Castle to practice, show of their skills and re-enact a full medieval battle. This recreates the atmosphere of the late medieval court’s splendor and colours on a scale not seen since the Middle Ages. It is a live presentation in an original spot, for a battle of knights that will have you amazed.

ADMISSION: FREE LOCATION: NYBORG SLOT, SLOTSGADE 34, 5800 NYBORG

“Opening a Danish textbook could be your next big career move”

Alejandro, engineer from Cordoba.

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HORSENS HORSENS TEATERFESTIVAL - HORSENS KOMMUNE

BRØNDBY

RBOT.DK

VISITODENSE

ODENSE

10-16 SEPTEMBER 11-13 SEPTEMBER 14 – 16 SEPTEMBER EAT! ODENSE FOOD FESTIVAL

AUTOMATIC EXPO

HORSENS THEATRE FESTIVAL

SPIS! Odense Food Festival is a new ambitious Odensean food festival that puts quality and taste on the menu. The event pays tribute to the talented Funen and Danish suppliers, and detail-oriented food craftsmen, and puts the spotlight on all the visionary Odense restaurateurs who in recent years have set the bar incredibly high and helped to put Odense on the gastronomic map. SPIS! Odense Food Festival wants to increase the Danish food courage and make us more aware, creative consumers, who know how to appreciate the change of seasons and the quality of authentic ingredients. Quite simply – to get us out of our armchairs and into the restaurants, cooking in the kitchens and out into the herb gardens.

The Automatik Expo is an international exhibition of automation, process and robot technology. The Expo aims to develop not only as an ideal platform to learn overseas advanced technology and management experience, to strengthen international communication, but also as a showcase to the public and a potential market for robot technology.

Horsens Theatre Festival is a unique opportunity to explore and experience a broad selection of Danish performing arts for young audiences. The festival presents about 35 Danish performances of the highest quality – and furthermore a few hand-picked performances from abroad. In addition to the performances, the festival offers different platforms for theatre representatives and other guests to meet and greet. Be sure to join the official opening, Saturday evening banquet with award ceremony as well as networking opportunity, and more informal venues for socialising. The festival takes place every year during the 3rd weekend in September.

ADMISSION: SEE WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS WWW.AUTOMATIKMESSE.DK LOCATION: BRØNDBY STADION 10, 2605 BRØNDBY

ADMISSION: FREE – FOR MORE INFORMATION WWW.BOERNETEATERFESTIVAL.HORSENS.DK/ENGLISH LOCATION: RÅDHUSTORVET 4, 8700 HORSENS

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HORSENS TEATERFESTIVAL - HORSENS KOMMUNE COLOURBOX

MISS JEANETT

JERN & MASKININDUSTRIEN

NYODENSE

AUTOMATIK MESSEN

ADMISSION DETAILS:SEE WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS – WWW.SPISODENSE.DK LOCATION: 5000 ODENSE C

ESBJERG

COPENHAGEN

TELENOR COPENHAGEN MARATHON

YOUTUBE

FANTASYFESTIVAL - ESBJERG KOMMUNE

COPENHAGEN

14 – 16 SEPTEMBER 15 - 16 SEPTEMBER 16 SEPTEMBER FANTASY FESTIVAL

COPENHAGEN BATCHATA FESTIVAL

The good story is at Fantasyfestival. Here you will be able to meet the fantasy genres in all thier many magical shapes; in movies, books, music and games. Esbjerg Municipality Libraries welcomes everyone to the fourth round of Fantasyfestival, which will take place on September 15-16, 2018. The fantasy festival's purpose is to inspire classic fantasy-to-fantasy enthusiasts of all ages. The magic happens when enthusiasts meet different media and actors who represent, and in different ways, convey the genre.

Salsa Libre Copenhagen is happy to present the second edition of Copenhagen Bachata Festival! Three evenings and two days with full focus on bachata: • More than 30 hours of dance workshops in Bachata Sensual, Bachata fusion and Dominican Bachata with some of the best instructors and performers. • World class artists. • Three Bachata social dance parties, as well as international shows, and much more.

Join the 23,500 runners when they take on the 21.1 kilometres course at Copenhagen Half Marathon. The route passes by some of the highlights of Copenhagen; The King’s New Square, Frederiksberg Allé and the city lakes as well as the Marble Church, The Old Stock Exchange and The Parliament Christiansborg. Even though the marathon is for the runners – both recreational runners and pro athletes – it's good entertainment for the 100,000 spectators along the course as well. The day is car-free, meaning, that runners and spectators get the usually busy roads and streets all to themselves.

ADMISSION: SEE WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS – WWW.FANTASYFESTIVAL.ESBJERGKOMMUNE.DK LOCATION: NØRREGADE 19, 6700 ESBJERG

ADMISSION: SEE WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS WWW.TICKETMASTER.DK/BACHATA LOCATION: KEDELHALLEN, 2000 FREDERIKSBERG

COPENHAGEN HALF MARATHON

ADMISSION: SEE WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS WWW.CPHHALF.DK LOCATION: GUNNAR NU HANSENS PLADS 11, 2100 KØBENHAVN Ø

FANTASYFESTIVAL - ESBJERG KOMMUNE

YOUTUBE

COPENHAGEN HALF MARATHON

H i g h Ac ad em i c S t an d ar d s C h ri st i an E t ho s C onv en i en t l y l o cat ed i n H el l er u p

rygaards.com SEPTEMBER 2018 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

AARHUS

VISITAARHUS

COPENHAGEN

CPH PIX

VISITDENMARK

HILLERØD

27 SEPTEMBER – 10 OCTOBER

21 SEPTEMBER HILLERØD CULTURE NIGHT

28 – 30 SEPTEMBER HEARTS & MINDS FESTIVAL

CPH PIX

An awesome night awaits you in Hillerød. Bring your family and friends for a great cultural experience. There is something for every taste and age – and all activities are within walking distance. At this year’s Hillerød Culture Night, you’ll get all the good stories about the castle, the town, the houses, and the citizens. Doors that are normally closed, are opened for the night's guests. Spooky guided tours at the Castle, a family trip in the small wood 'Indelukket' with flashlight, guided tour at Pharmakon in the Danish Collection of the History of Pharmacy, treasure hunts, contests, and at the library there is plenty of activities for large and small. Learn more about North Sealand’s new hospital - more than 150 activities await the night's guests. It all starts with a huge parade through the castle, the town, and down to Hillerød Camping. Read more on www.kulturnathillerod.dk in Danish. Please note: The guided tours and activities in general are in Danish.

Learn More About the Good Life at the Hearts & Minds festival in Aarhus. Hearts & Minds gives you intelligent inspiration for living the good life. The festival focuses on living the good life with a healthy body, mind and intellect. Experience how communication and activity can be combined, and learn more about what happens to your body when you run, eat right, socially interact, challenge your intellect and much more. What do we even know about the good life? Where do we find it? Is it based on raw food or red wine? Running shoes or a recliner? Let your senses be tickled and your intellect be challenged by experiences that speak to your heart and mind – sense and sensibility. The festival revolves around the presentation of knowledge, activities and culture, which all are fun, social and healthy ways to learn. The festival’s events are held in various urban spaces and at select stages in close co-operation with the city’s institutions of culture and knowledge.

With more than 50,000 visitors each year, CPH PIX is Denmark's international feature film festival. Expectations are always high when CPH PIX opens its doors to a brand new festival programme with concerts, seminars, debates and of course hundreds of film screenings. The festival offers quality films from around the world, including films that the audience would not normally get a chance to see. CPH PIX also focuses on new talent and avant-garde as well as cross collaborations between art forms and institutions. Like all the other top European competition film festivals, it includes a standard dose of red carpets, glitterati and VIP parties. See the full festival programme on the CPH PIX website.

ADMISSION: SEE WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS WWW.CPHPIX.DK LOCATION: TAGENSVEJ 85F, 2200 COPENHAGEN N

ADMISSION: SEE WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS WWW.HEARTSANDMINDS.FUAU.DK LOCATION: VARIOUS LOCATIONS AROUND AARHUS

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VISITAARHUS VISITAARHUS

HILLERØD KOMMUNE

'BETTY BLUE' (1986) - CPH PIX

VISIT NORTH SEALAND

'THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY' (1999) - CPH PIX

ADMISSION: SEE WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS WWW.CPHHALF.DK TIME: 16:00 – 22:00 LOCATION: VARIOUS LOCATIONS AROUND HILLERØD

VISITRIBE

ODENSE

VISIT ANDERSEN

HORSENS

VISITHORSENS

RIBE

29 – 30 SEPTEMBER 29 SEPTEMBER

30 SEPTEMBER

KUNST AND AUTUMN MARKET BLUES ALIVE FESTIVAL

HC ANDERSEN MARATHON

Horsens invites you to the annual blues festival. Enjoy a day of raw and rough blues, from both upcoming and well established, Danish and International artists.

Ribe marks the beginning of autumn with a market in the center of the town. It will be full of life and good market atmosphere in Ribe, where you can buy fruit, vegetables and other crafts, or make a good bargain in one of the shops in town. See and buy art wares of good quality from local craftsmen and women as well as participants from most of Denmark.'

Six-year-olds eagerly running their first mini-marathon of 4.2 kilometres; excited debutants, who have been training intensively for their first whole or half marathon; experienced athletes, who have been at the starting line more than a hundred times before. You will meet all of these people in a wonderful atmosphere full of intention to break personal boundaries and live out exercise dreams, when the H.C. Andersen Marathon is on. The Funen marathon is an adventure for everybody – from the short, fast – most likely to cross the finishing line first, to the last recreational runner, dragging himself onto the grounds of Odense Atletikstadion after nearly six hours on the roads of Odense. As spectators on the pavement, you will play an important part in this Funen fairy-tale, since support during the race is invaluable to the runners. If you wish to experience one of the magic highlights, find a place at the intersection between Kongensgade and Vestergade. Here, the runners pass four times, and from the commentator booth, the former elite runner Allan Zachariasen will skilfully guide you through their endeavours. During the race, lots of activities will take place around Odense Idrætspark. At the sports centre, you will find a sports fair with lots of great offers on all the gear you cannot live without as a runner, and the children can play at the exciting gymnastic facilities. The Odense marathon has 15 years behind it, and it has a reputation for being a particularly well-organised race. Furthermore, this is the only European venue where you as a woman can join a half marathon for women only.

ADMISSION: SEE WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS - WWW.BLUESKARTELLET.DK/BLUESKARTELLET_FORSIDE LOCATION: ALLEGADE 16A, 8700 HORSENS

ADMISSION: LOCATION: SEE WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS - WWW.HCAMARATHON.DK LOCATION: ODENSE IDRÆTSPARK, 5200 ODENSE V

WORLD'S MARATHONS

BLUESNEWS.DK HORSENS FOLKEBLAD

VISITRIBE

ADMISSION AND LOCATION: WWW.VISITRIBE.COM

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EMBRACING

CHANGE HEALTH COACH, ED LEY, HAS EMBRACED HIS NEW LIFE IN DENMARK. LEARN HOW THIS INSPIRATIONAL COACH HAS BUILT A CAREER ON HELPING OTHERS ACHIEVE THEIR BEST SELVES, AND HOW IN THE PROCESS HE IS LIVING HIS BEST LIFE.

PHOTOGRAPHS LIDIA DRZEWIECKA - VISUABLE; TEDX BRISTOL TEAM; CHRISTINA LEY TEXT DAVID NOTHLING -DEMMER

ED LEY HAS lived in Copenhagen with his Danish wife, Christina, and their two daughters, (4) and (7), for just over a year. Having grown up in a little village just outside of Bristol in the United Kingdom, Ley and his wife decided to sell their Bristol-based business, and make the move to Denmark with an eye for a new adventure and a mind for practicalities. “My family and I were in Hellerup visiting my in-laws – my father-in-law was sick with cancer – when one day we were down on the beach watching the girls playing with their Mormor, talking about the difficult times that lay ahead. We spoke about the logistical and emotional challenges of running a business in the UK, and looking after our children, while more frequently visiting my wife's parents in Denmark. When I had what felt like a moment of clarity, I turned to my wife and said: ‘why don’t we move here?’ she turned to me and said: ‘OK’, and that was that,” Ley explains. A hundred days later, and their Danish adventure began. Having sold their gym and healthcare business in the UK, Ley says that moving to Copenhagen was never in his plans, but that it has been truly life-changing. “It has allowed us to turn our dream life into a reality overnight. I love the way Copenhagen is designed with the country side, the sea and of course the Danish values that go into making the life-

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style easier to embrace,” he says. Ley says that he grew up in a home without a father – who left when he was just two. “Perhaps as a defining moment as a two-year-old can have (my father leaving), my memories of early childhood don’t directly suggest it. I don’t remember any feelings of fear or abandonment, and I’m not conscious of any echoing through my life. I think your childhood often points to what would be your greatest strengths today, and when re-employed we often find success comes more easily to us,” says Ley. Always looking to the bright side of life, Ley says that he hasn’t found it difficult to adjust to life in Denmark, “I think having a Danish wife and mother in-law has likely sheltered me from the challenges faced by many expats.” His ethos has always been that if six million other people find it quite straight forward, then the answers can’t be that hard to grasp. He does however admit to still learning the language – mostly through his daughters who are now fluent – saying that he’s more focused on establishing his health consulting business. “At the moment, though, it’s earning then learning. I anticipate that will be reached before Christmas. I love languages and I think there is no better way to fully understand a culture, so I am looking forward to the experience.”

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HELPING YOU ACHIEVE MORE Ley and his wife, through their consultancy business, help timeshort business leaders achieve better health by optimising physical and mental performance. “I do one-to-one coaching with men predominately, and my wife does semi-private with women,” Ley smiles, saying that he’s currently growing his business by having coffee with interesting people. Growing up a sporty child, Ley loved playing football, table tennis, cricket, tennis, running and basketball, and was happy to play with anyone who was around. In his teens he washed cars, dabbled in carol singing and even set up a football school for 10-years-olds – which he says was quite successful. “After school, based on the success of my football school, I decided to go to college and study a National Diploma in Sport Science. This would give me the coaching skills, as well as a good base in anatomy, physiology and psychology,” he says. It was during this course that Ley says he realised that he pre-

ferred helping people out of pain. One day whilst at a pub, speaking with a physiotherapist professor who had recently designed and partly delivered a degree, encouraged him to take it up himself. “I took a year off education, and worked in about 20 different jobs which I absolutely loved. I met so many different people and learned so many new things, including how trapped people seem to become who they are by their circumstances, often mistaking their world for the world.” In 2001 he began his BSc Degree in sport conditioning, coaching and rehabilitation. Whilst formally trained, Ley believes there is no substitute for finding someone who is the very best in a particular field and finding a way to pay them for their insight, knowledge and experience. Ley, who has been a personal trainer for over 14 years, says that he was inspired into the field as a means to pool all of his skills together under a positive frame. “I started working with a Chelsea FC physiotherapist, the South Gloucestershire Cricket team, Bath Rugby and Olympic Medalist Snow boarder Jenny Jones’s condi-

LEY AND HIS WIFE, THROUGH THEIR CONSULTANCY BUSINESS, HELP TIME SHORT BUSINESS PEOPLE ACHIEVE BETTER HEALTH BY OPTIMISING PHYSICAL AND MENTAL PERFORMANCE.

ED’S TOP 5 TIPS FOR LIVING A HEALTHIER LIFE Ley offers this advice for those of you looking to embrace a holistically healthier life: ➥ Trap your thoughts on paper. It will reduce

the emotion attached to your stressors, and

allow for fresh insight and perspective.

➥ Keep learning physically and mentally,

every day.

➥ Eat mostly real food - fish, meat, eggs, and

as much vegetables as you can get your

hands on.

➥ Get outside every day, both first thing in

the morning and at lunch time if possible.

➥ Sweat every day.

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"YOU'LL NEVER CREATE A LIFE YOU LOVE BY DOING THE THINGS YOU LOATH."

www.cis.dk

tioning coach. I also worked with a doctor giving health advice to frequently returning patients, as a massage therapist and rehabber in the best Chiropractic clinic in Bristol and even did pitch-side work with Bristol Rovers” he says of his career before opening his own gym and healthcare business in the UK. Neuroscience, and a philosophy of approaching life and the world in different ways, with a long-term outlook is what has shaped his health consultancy in Copenhagen. “We have been taught to be so results focused that we use results-based decisionmaking tools. We use external markers to guide our decisions when we really desire the experience. Most of us would rather that sex take a long time rather than be over in a minute, but the end result is the same. It’s true that the result is important to us, but too often with our life goals we forgo the experience and the end result is the same, our brain resists and we end up without the habits required to maintain the result,” Ley explains. He goes on to quote a good friend and coach, Dax Moy, who gave him the best advice he’s ever been given: ‘You’ll never create a life you love by doing the things you loath’. “I have grown this philosophy over years of working with my clients, and have seen that it truly leads to lifelong change. It doesn’t just happen when a person does different things, our brain literally has to change. In order to be a new way in the world, we actually have to see the world in a new way,” Ley says. Many of the greatest challenges his clients face he says include stress and low energy, he uses neuroscience and performance coaching to help them overcome these challenges. THE-INTL

Before long, you’ll belong Settling into a new country can be challenging – especially for the nonworking spouse. We know, from studies and from experience, that a successful posting depends on the happiness of the entire family – and our school is home to a very active, warm and welcoming community. Our PTA offers a wide range of opportunities: newcomers network, Spring Fair, Halloween, Yoga, Activities Fair, Wine and Cheese Evening, Dads’ Club and Ladies’ Night Out. Dedicated parents coach our sports teams, run our boy scouts and serve on the school Board. At CIS the whole family finds a place to grow roots and make friends. So to quote one of our parents: “I came for the job, but we stayed for the school.”

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SUPER SMART AARHUS With so much great design in Denmark, it’s easy to take it for granted. But on a recent trip to Aarhus, Keri Bloomfield was reminded just how smart it can be.

PHOTOGRAPHS KERI BLOOMFIELD

TEXT KERI BLOOMFIELD

'SMART AARHUS' IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS WHO ARE ALL COMMITTED TO CREATING AND IMPLEMENTING A WIDE RANGE OF SMART CITY DEVELOPMENTS.

I MUST ADMIT, Danes

are quite clever. For starters, they’ve made designing chairs, lamps and furniture an art form. In fact, should you have the misfortune of being burgled in Denmark, I can almost guarantee that your television will be safe. Instead it’ll be your designer furniture and lamps (should you be fortunate enough to have them) that will be the first to go. Alongside furniture designers, Danish architects and urban planners are also pretty clever with design, as is evident by the many ambitious projects (past and future) throughout the country. Leading the way when it comes to smart design is Aarhus. With a population of around 340,000 it’s Denmark’s second largest city, and thanks to its very own ‘smart’ initiative, it’s also carving a strong reputation as one of the smartest cities in Denmark. ‘Smart Aarhus’ is a partnership between various organisations who are all committed to creating and implementing a wide range of smart city developments. It encourages collaboration between the public and private sectors as well as citizens, the business community and knowl-

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edge institutions. To achieve this, they’ve turned the normal model of urban planning upside down with issues raised by citizens now forming the basis of a wide range of city planning initiatives and projects – from big to the small. It’s hard to visit Aarhus and not notice the impact its having on the city. It’s an exciting place to be right now. What I found most amazing is the everyday design details that are making the city that much more liveable for those who call Aarhus home. For instance;

DOKK1 This large urban media centre, located on the waterfront, incorporates the library, culture house, cafe and borgerservice (residents service centre). It also has various indoor and outdoor play areas for children of all ages, including virtual football. It feels very much like one big happy communal space thoughtfully designed for as many people within the community to enjoy. Right down to ‘smart pram parking’ – my personal favourite – a pram park with

painted lines just like you would find in a regular carpark. A small initiative but a super smart one – Viking organisation at its best.

SMART START-UP Having nailed city-wide bike share schemes in Denmark many years ago, it now seems to be the time for city-wide umbrella share schemes courtesy of Aarhus start-up Dripdrop. Just one example of the many creative startups you can find here. I found one of their smart umbrella sharing stations at the Aarhus Street Food Market. It’s one of eight sites they’re using in their testing phase. Soon this will be increased to over 35 locations. They’ve also established umbrella sharing schemes (although without the smart technology) in 15 other cities throughout Denmark, as well as in Sweden, Norway, Switzerland and Finland. But it all started in Aarhus – a city seemingly incubating a whole lot of great ideas. The idea is simple, yet more importantly, smart. It al-

lows users to grab an umbrella when they need it by simply downloading an App and so long as they return it within 24 hours, it is free to use. Smart. Or as the folk at Dripdrop like to say, “Happiness is having an umbrella when it rains, and not having one when it doesn’t.” It’s an idea which was the result of a small cultural misunderstanding in Taiwan when one of the founders saw buckets full of umbrellas outside shops and restaurants and began borrowing them. Not realising they had been left by the customers who were probably hoping to collect them again when they left the shop. Dripdrop co-founder and COO, Mattias Edström, believes Aarhus is a great city for start-ups, “There’s an increasing community of angel investors in Aarhus supporting a wide range of start-ups either by investment or by sharing their knowledge. This combined with an enormous willingness within the business and creative community to help (each other) and try new things makes Aarhus a uniquely fertile soil for starting out as a start-up”. The concept of umbrella sharing, of course, involves an element of trust and selfresponsibility, but thankfully we’re in Denmark where trust and self-responsibility come in rather large doses.

ture installation as part of a Sculpture by the Sea event held in 2015, its popularity resulted in it becoming a permanent fixture. Creating a new tourist hot spot with guaranteed instagramable status. A simple wooden circular bridge, yet so smart.

THE FUTURE From Smart Mobility to Smart Drones, Aarhus has a large number of equally ambitious and smart projects currently on the go which are likely to also begin making footprints across the city soon. You can check out a full list of all the ‘smart’ projects currently in progress at www.smartaarhus.eu. Everyone needs a little bit of Aarhus smartness in their lives. THE-INTL

THE INFINITE BRIDGE One of the most beautiful finds in Aarhus is the Uendelige Bro (the Infinite Bridge). A bridge that never ends, allowing you to keep walking around and around. Originally installed as a temporary sculp-

D E T I LE B LSPIAM A CES AVAIL

KERI BLOOMFIELD BLOGGER Keri Bloomfield is a connector, writer, event manager and blogger currently living in Copenhagen. Originally from New Zealand she was recently employed by her daughter (Bilingual Backpack Baby) as editor, writer, photographer and social media manager to document their adventures living in Denmark. Prior to this job posting, Keri navigated a corporate life in New Zealand and England working in the field of event management and people management. She is strongly passionate about healthy workplaces (and pastries).

Now based in Denmark Keri is on her way to becoming bilingual (she hopes) and is the co-organiser of ‘Post A Letter Copenhagen’. A monthly event held at ENIGMA Museum of Post & Communication in Østerbro. Entry is by donation and in return attendees are able to write letters to anywhere in the world for free. She recently initiated a project for volunteer writers to write to lonely elderly people all over the world. This is part of Keri’s greater goal to encourage more thoughtful and meaningful communication in the world. You can read and follow Keri’s adventures in Copenhagen with her Danish partner and daughter, and learn more about Post A Letter Copenhagen, by visiting: www.bilingualbackpackbaby.com www.postalettercopenhagen.com

ROSKILDE

TER REGISW NO !

Building Character At Skt. Josef ’s International School, we strive to have happy, knowledgable children skilled with the right character so that each child learns how to learn. Skt. Josef ’s International School, provides quality international education for children aged 5 to 16 (Year 1 to Year 11).

sktjosefs.com Skt. Josef ’s International School

Frederiksborgvej 10, Roskilde

+45 4635 2526

info@sjs-roskilde.dk

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RASMUS FLINDT PEDERSEN

LIOR ZILBERSTEIN

TUALA HJARNØ

CHRISTIAN LINDGREN

CRACKING THE DANISH CULTURAL CODE According to a 2017 Internations survey, Denmark ranks dead last in terms of ease of settling in. How then can one expect to not only settle in, but integrate into the Danish society? Understanding the Danish culture can go a long way in terms of integration, but such an understanding can only be gained by cultivating heightened emotional intelligence. PHOTOGRAPHS COPENHAGEN MEDIA CENTER; ISTOCK PHOTO

WHAT DOES IT take to successfully integrate into the Danish society? It is certainly not a simple answer, but rather dependent upon several factors. What is certain, however, is that in order to authentically integrate into Danish society, one needs to understand, gain an appreciation of and participate in the dynamic reality that is Danish culture. Thus, integration requires cultural understanding. Sounds easy enough of a formula; but what is culture, and how does one go about enhancing cultural understanding and participation? We will shortly dive into what culture is and how different cultural dimensions manifest themselves in Denmark, but there is something more fundamental and a pre-requisite to this; namely self-awareness. This key cog of emotional intelligence, and a bedrock of philosophical insight, is the key to developing cultural understanding, and thus necessary for successful integration into Danish society. “Know Thyself.” This famous saying attributed to the philosopher Socrates nearly 2,500 years ago, epitomized his philosophical message to the world, namely a call to examine one´s own beliefs and attitudes. In 2018 we would say that Socrates was advocating for enhanced self-understanding. To know thyself, or better understand thyself also happens to be a key pillar of emotional intelligence. This is not a coincidence! Cultivating self-awareness requires courage, as one must ask the most crucial of questions in life again and again. Why? This is the question, as it requires a simultaneous examination of one's beliefs, while denoting an openness to new thinking. By having the courage to ask why and enhance self-aware-

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ness, inherited beliefs and attitudes can be put to the test, and new ways of being and doing can emerge. It is in this space of new being and thinking that one can seriously begin to understand, appreciate and adopt a new culture.

WHAT IS CULTURE? Culture is defined by the renowned Dutch sociologist Geert Hofstede is defined as “the collective programming of the mind, which distinguishes one group or category of people from another.” Thus, when we are talking about cultures, we are talking about group characteristics and not individual human beings. This is an essential point, as to confuse individuals with cultures is a recipe for stereotyping. This being said, understanding key features of cultural dimensions does indeed provide value. Hofstede distinguishes between cultures by looking at four main cultural dimensions that each culture possesses to varying degrees. These are: Power distance, individualism vs. collectivism, masculinity vs. femininity, uncertainty avoidance. Where does the Danish culture fit into this picture? In a nutshell Denmark is a country with very low power distance, meaning a flat hierarchy. Individualistic in terms of its emphasis on “I” instead of “We”. Feminine with regards to

TEXT THOMAS MULHERN

the trademarks of the social welfare society and has a low uncertainty avoidance, manifested in the comfortableness with doubt and critical inquiry. These cultural dimensions, which I will not expound upon in this piece, have consequences in terms of both living and working in Denmark. What does it take to successfully integrate into the Danish society? There is not one answer, as it depends on the specific circumstance. That being said, one universal feature of successful integration is that it requires courage. That is the courage to “know thyself”, to examine one´s own beliefs and attitudes and thus come to a richer understanding of the self. This is the crucial first step to being emotionally intelligent, and accomplishing this step can help create the openness required for understanding, appreciating and contributing to an adopted culture. Understanding what culture is and what dimensions make up the Danish culture are crucial, but nonetheless secondary features in terms of enhancing cultural intelligence. To be culturally intelligent, one needs to be emotionally intelligent. To integrate one needs to have the courage to be open, step outside of the comforts of one's personal and cultural beliefs and take the time to understand, appreciate and contribute. THE-INTL

ONE UNIVERSAL FEATURE OF SUCCESSFUL INTEGRATION IS THAT IT REQUIRES COURAGE. THAT IS THE COURAGE TO "KNOW THYSELF".

THOMAS MULHERN MANAGING DIRECTOR, GLOBALLY LOCAL Thomas is the former International Department Head at Institut Sankt Joseph, where he led the first fully bilingual Danish/English educational program in Denmark. He is himself an expat, married to a Danish repat and father to a Danish/American. Thomas has experienced first-hand the barriers that make integration in Denmark so difficult, but has also learned the tools to breaking down these barriers and what it takes to integrate, and make Denmark a lasting home. Globally Local uses innovative services to internationalise organisations, and integrate expats and Danish repats.

www.globallylocal.dk

HAMLET ON THE GROUNDS

OF HELSINGØR

This August, a group of Copenhagen International School (CIS) 10th graders were joined by 28 students from the Geneva International School, in Denmark Students participated in a day of Hamlet-based activities, workshops and a grand trip to Helsingør Castle.

PHOTOGRAPHS I-STOCK PHOTO

THE DAY BEGAN with fifteen 10th graders making their way out of class to their common area on the 4th floor, and waiting expectantly for their Swiss peers to arrive. “Our first impression of CIS’s modern, yet warm, building filled us with excitement and enthusiasm for what was to come,” said Maisie Wynd, a year 11 Genevan student. Over orange juice and croissants, the students talked, exchange names, shared friends and interests. After an hour, the chattering group filed down the High School tower, descending to the campus’ spacious and ambitious new theatre facilities where the day’s Hamlet activities were to begin. With the orchestra pit covered, and the 250 seats pushed back, the 50 students were able to form a large circle on the theatre floor. Lead by DP English teacher Ms Prisk, the students recited lines as a way to warm up, “To be or not to be”, they shouted together with bravado. An effective ice-breaker. Next came a task: they were told to get into mixed groups, and were each given a short scene from the play to direct, rehearse and perform. There were no scripts, so each group had to rely on their improvisation skills as well as their own knowledge of the play. After half an hour, the 10 groups were ready to perform: Act 1 scene 1 got up onto stage, the others formed a half circle around them – for now they were audience members.

TEXT

COPENHAGEN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

As a final touch, Ms Prisk brought on a curious collection of hats and wigs, “So we know who’s who,” she explained. For Hamlet there was a pair of headphones, Ophelia got a braided, yellow wig, Cornelius a golden crown, and so on. It was impressive. In the following hour the students manged to pull off a practically un-rehearsed version of

"TO DIE, TO SLEEP - TO SLEEP, PERCHANCE TO DREAM AY, THERE'S THE RUB, FOR IN THIS SLEEP OF DEATH WHAT DREAMS MAY COME..." WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, HAMLET

the three-hour long classic. Each in their turn, the groups got up stage, put on their hats and wigs, and performed. “Watching the whole play unfold through scenes of varying styles between groups at the end was the most interesting part,” said Cecilia Longoni, another Ecolint 11th grad-

er. Each group had tackled the task in different ways, some scenes were hilarious, with the actors themselves bursting into laughter along with the audience, others were sober and serious, capturing the tragedy’s drama and austerity. Some used physical theatre, one Ophelia was played by a boy, a Hamlet played by a girl, some stuck to Shakespearian language while others reverted to modern dialect. For the final grand scene, four teachers were pulled on stage to perform the last epic duel. After a short lunch, the day of Hamlet action continued, “before we knew it we were back in the chilly air, and on our way to the legendary Kronborg Castle,” said Maisie, “talking to the CIS students whilst travelling to Helsingør, learning about their life in Copenhagen and comparing it to ours, made the day’s experience even better.” The afternoon was spent touring the castle independently, exploring the building’s various nooks and crannies, and performing Hamlet sketches on the authentic grounds. It was an exceptional way to spend the Tuesday, and to make use of the campus and local attractions. In Cecilia’s words, “I would like to thank all the people I met and who helped organise this memorable experience for our group. We will always cherish these treasured memories.” THE-INTL

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TECH ON TREND Bring your fashion and beauty regime up to the digital age with these tech-inspired style trends. PHOTOGRAPHS VARIOUS

FOR CLEANSING The Foreo gives both your face and neck a very deep cleanse, and also stimulates lymphatic drainage to reduce puffiness. It has an impressively long-lasting battery, is lightweight and unlike most cleansing brushes, you’ll never have to buy a replacement brush head, as the silicone bristles are bacteria-resistant. FROM DKK 999.

BEAUTY GADGETS

THE RECENT COPENHAGEN FASHION WEEK HAS INSPIRED ME TO PULL TOGETHER ALL OF MY FAVOURITE BEAUTY AND FASHION TECH. THESE BEAUTY GADGETS AND TECH TRENDS HAVE REVOLUTIONISED MY OWN BEAUTY REGIME, AND CAN YOURS TOO.

TEXT SUZAAN SAUERMAN

FOR HAIR Dyson Supersonic Hairdryer – Professional Edition – is the hairdryer, reinvented. It looks minimal and beautiful, and is the only hairdryer that says ‘fashion’ as well as ‘function’. The Dyson is best in its class for speed, weight and noise. It dries hair extremely fast (around six minutes for long hair), and the super-quiet motor that’s located in the handle instead of the head, offers a more lightweight feel. It’s great for all hair types, leaving hair smooth and shiny. It has a slightly hefty price though, but should be considered an investment for your hair. FROM DKK 4000.

FOR MASSAGE Don’t be put off by this gadget’s lack of electrical buzz. Once you master the art of the Ying Yu Jade Facial Roller, it’s a game changer, especially around the eye area. Put the roller in the fridge 15 minutes before you use it, and combine with a refreshing eye gel to take full advantage of its depuffing powers. FROM DKK 220.

FOR ORAL HYGIENE The beautifully designed Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Electric Tootbrush comes with a handy travel-friendly charging case, offers five different cleaning modes – clean, sensitive, gum care, white and polish – and provides advanced cleaning and whitening, leading to improved gum health. I can personally feel the difference after the first week of use. FROM DKK 1699.

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FASHION GADGETS & GEAR

✱

BANDIER WORKOUT LEGGINGS

EDITOR'S TOP PICK! THIS EXCITING NEW INVENTION WILL KEEP TRACK OF YOUR SLEEPING PATTERNS.

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dition to activity tracking throughout the day, the lightweight ring measures your sleep duration, showing you trends over the course of the week, giving you a bigger picture look at your hours of shut-eye. And it’s one of the few fashion tech products that matches your outfit everyday.

SUZAAN SAUERMAN

FROM DKK 1200.

LIFESTYLE TECH ADVISOR Suzaan has over 18 years’ experience working for various technology brands and leading global marketing organisations, developing innovative product portfolio’s, driving digital transformation and creating unique user experiences. Currently, she focuses her time on wearable and hearable tech, helping various brands to create unique

BONOBOS TECH CHINOS Bonobos has made close to the perfect pair of trousers that aren't jeans. They have stretch, they repel water and stains, and they have enough features to be useful without looking overly casual. A close friend, firmly believes they have a place in every guy's wardrobe. FROM DKK 1400, AND AVAIL-

ABLE IN DIFFERENT COLOURS.

product experiences to enhance lives. She is also an active keynote speaker and panellist at various global technology and lifestyle events. Suzaan, a self-confessed tech geek, has travelled extensively, having worked and lived in all the continents of the world. In her spare time, she loves to keep fit by running and training at The Wolfpack Gym. She has a passion for food and wine, always scouting the best cup of coffee in the city, and enjoys art galleries. Suzaan lives in Copenhagen, was born and raised in South Africa, and is a British citizen.

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PREPARING THE FAMILY

FOR WINTER

It seems strange to start to think about winter already when summer is barely over! However, if last winter was anything to go by, it may be a good idea to start preparing yourself (mentally and physically) for the long, dark and cold winter months.

PHOTOGRAPHS ISTOCKPHOTO

IN THE AUTUMN run-up to winter, I come across a lot of new expats in a panic about how best to approach the infamous Danish winter. With this in mind, I’ve come up with a few practical steps you can take now to make the winter a lot more bearable.

PREPARING FAMILIES FOR WINTER The beginning of September is the time when you need to get a jump-start on winter, especially if you have children. Take for instance clothing, if you don’t buy your kid’s winter stuff as soon as it comes into the shops, you face a stressful time and a potentially unequipped (and cold) child once temperatures drop. Already, people are buying winter boots, coats and snowsuits, and if you want to have a chance of a decent choice when it comes to kids sizes, then you need to get shopping now. When it comes to footwear, make sure you get your kids a pair of boots that are waterproof and equipped to keep feet warm. Adopt destroyer tactics when it comes to gloves. You know your child will be losing these constantly over the winter, it's a fact of life, and you can’t just get more. So, buy up a big supply when they are in the shops. You can get quality winter jackets and padded trousers, as well as snow suits or Flyvedragt in H&M, Bilka, Føtex and a number of small children’s clothes shops. The prices can vary dramatically, but the most important thing is to make sure they are water proof, wind proof and can withstand a sub-zero temperature. The label on the product will state this.

Gearing up for winter can be costly, so be on the lookout for decent second hand items, espcially for smaller children (up to age six). The Mødrehjælpen (moedrehjaelpen.dk/forside/kontakt/butikker) shops are a good place to start. Many preschools and day-cares ask that you don’t use scarves for safety, but rather a kind of balaclava hat called elephant hue or elephant hat. They come down well below the neck for extra warmth. This should be enough to keep your

TEXT MELANIE HAYNES

ence to my mood and general energy levels over the winter. They are not cheap, but are definitely worth the investment. On the subject of darkness, our bodies can really start to miss Vitamin D over the winter, so consider taking either a Vitamin D supplement from the autumn onwards or a decent multivitamin including Vitamin D. These can be bought relatively inexpensively from pharmacies, and you can buy very specific combinations depending on your age. Flu jabs are another thing to consider

MELANIE HAYNES CONSULTANT, BLOGGER & WRITER Melanie is a relocation consultant, blogger and writer based in Copenhagen, where she has lived for the past ten years. After experiencing relocation to Copenhagen and Berlin, she runs a settling-in service aimed at expats, called Dejlige Days Welcome. Through her consultancy she helps people planning to move to Copenhagen or who are already living here. She regularly writes about expat life in Denmark in The Local Denmark and the Huffington Post as well as on her popular blog, Dejlige Days. She has also appeared in the press including the Guardian and The Sun-

"A DAYLIGHT OR SAD LAMP IS A CRUCIAL PART OF MAKING WINTER BEARABLE." child warm and dry (and whinge free) during winter, especially as kids will be playing outside whatever the weather – as is the Danish way.

PREPARING YOURSELF FOR WINTER A daylight or SAD lamp is a crucial part of making winter bearable. I use mine to wake up naturally in the morning, and also for a blast of daylight during the day. I really do believe that it makes a differ-

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seriously. Many workplaces offer these for free, and if you fall into specific categories, you can get the jab for free from your doctor or pharmacy. Lastly, for comfort and warmth, make sure you have a decent pair of warm, waterproof boots, a longer length winter coat, warm hat, gloves, and ear muffs so you can enjoy the winter without freezing. Stay warm! THE-INTL

day Times, and also in the Danish media talking about life as a seasoned expat in the Danish capital. She lives with her husband and son close to the beach in Copenhagen.

www. dejligedays.com

BRAND AWARENESS ST IN THE 21 CENTURY Modern Cultural Anthropologist, Rob Scotland, is driven by the lives we live as modern citizens. A passion that has allowed him to succeed in the world of business, and in advising companies on how to best grow their brands. PHOTOGRAPHS MAILTDE LANTTO

TEXT CLAIRE ROSS-BROWN

"THE MOST INSPIRATIONAL BRANDS/ PEOPLE/SERVICES HAVE FIGURED OUT HOW TO TAP CONSUMER NEED AND KNOW WHEN TO DISRUPT WHEN THINGS GET STALE,"

ROB SCOTLAND, FOUNDER of the creative consultancy, BANDIT, has worked with creative agencies including Leo Burnett, Wieden + Kennedy and Ogilvy. His strategic cultural insight has given life to campaigns for the likes of Nike, McDonald’s, PANDORA, Samsung, Lurpak (Arla), Max Factor, GAP and Carlsberg. But, what exactly does a cultural anthropologist do, and how does this translate to business? It’s quite simple – by observing society he gets insight into trends that shape the way companies do business. “I observe and analyze modern culture and audiences,” says Scotland. He does this by “investigating consumer insight via qualitative and quantitative research methods, to knowing why the latest trends are happening,” he goes on to say. Scotland says that he sets out to achieve for companies what they don’t have the time or resources to do – to make their brand or offering consumer-centric. “The digital/social age has changed everything, from sales to communication and so on. Businesses that don’t understand the consistency of their brand may be the single

SCOTLAND SAYS.

CLAIRE ROSS-BROWN BUSINESS ENTREPRENEUR AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FINTECH COMPANY CASHWORKS

most defining characteristic in the minds of their customers – therefore they need to foster that. It requires a mind shift, and an investment of time and energy into truly understanding your target audience’s life – it's totality, not just the aspects relevant to your business,” he explains.

DOING BUSINESS IN THE DIGITAL AGE Also a business speaker, Scotland says that companies should put consumers needs front and centre of their thinking. “Understand the lives of your audiences and the relevance of what you are trying to sell to them. The most inspirational brands/people/services have figured out how to tap consumer needs and know when to disrupt when things get stale,” Scotland says. He uses Millennials – an age group spanning the 1980s to the late 90s – to drive home his point. “This audience has experienced huge advances in technology that have radically changed how they buy, sell and consume products and services. Today, anything is possible. Brands and services that meet a consumers needs can be

created at any time by anyone – from a device no bigger than the palm of their hand,” Scotland says. The next generation, he says is probably going to be the greatest we’ve ever had. “Eight years ago there was no iPad, 11 years ago there was no iPhone, and in the last hundred years we’ve had more innovation than in the last 1000.” Millennials and Gen Z live “glocally” in an effortless way, local but with a “global outlook”. Scotland says that this represents huge opportunities for a business that is constructed to sell to anyone in the world irrespective of geography or gender for instance. “My aim is to share a genuine thought or observation about what is happening in the lives of a specific group of people. I’ve taken the stance that young people are becoming Polymaths with their ability to master many skills to a world-class level. The hope is that the audience can take some time, listen and leave thinking differently about a topic,” he says. Scotland is currently the Strategic Director for Copenhagen agency Bold Scandinavia and self-confessed sports geek! www.ldnvkng.com THE-INTL

Claire has over 26 years', experience working as both a business consultant and actress/singer. She has worked as a Headhunter in London city with Investment Banks, produced an album and invests in companies. Claire is a true Londoner, yet considers Denmark her home, where she lives with her family. She loves to run, box, snowboard and wakeboard. Her column in The International is about Entrepreneurship, interesting businesses and key business people, board member of www.boernogungeinoed.dk

www.cashworks.ch

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TRINE BRANDTRYHEDE

DOM MAHER

THE NEXT GENERATION OF INNOVATIVE THINKERS His Royal Highness, Prince Joachim, is set to visit Skt. Josef’s International School in Roskilde. His visit is part of the National Science Festival, that has thousands of students across Denmark participating. PHOTOGRAPHS ISTOCK PHOTO

TEXT DOM MAHER

THE NATURAL SCIENCE Festival, open to all schools across Denmark, is aimed at creating engaging experiences with science among children and young people. The festival takes place in September each year, and has over 150,000 participants. Schools dedicate anything from a few hours to a full week to focus on science. This years’ theme is ‘The Final Frontier’. To honour the event, Skt. Josef ’s will hold a school-wide science fair with over 1,000 students involved in a fun day showing off their skills and talents in science. The open day will allow parents to come along and see a wide range of projects on September 27. HRH Prince Joachim, in his capacity as protector of the sciences in Denmark, will visit the school science fair in support and promotion of the sciences. Harry Osborne, a science teacher at Skt. Josef’s School, believes that “science is all about discovery and engaging in memorable experiences. Science has such a positive effect on student’s everyday lives and their well-being. Science is about being a part of something bigger.”

YOUNG SCIENTIST COMPETITION Skt. Josef’s School is always heavily represented in the Unge Forskere (Young Scientist) competition which is Denmark's largest science-based talent contest. It is a competition for children and young people in primary and secondary school, who love science and technology. Skt. Josef’s had 11 teams represent the school at the finals (in April) out of a total of 50, the highest representation of any school. One of the final projects was a devise for the household glass recycling container. The device absorbs the noise of recycled objects being dropped into a bin, so that it does not bother neighbours when the likes of bottles are smashed together. The inventors, Adam and Johan explained, “The

DOM MAHER SKT. JOSEF’S ROSKILDE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

Dom is the Head of Departidea came because we live next to a container. Therefore, we have tried to develop a kind of sock, that is, a kind of tube of some elastic material that the bottles must slip through. It creates friction and slows down the bottles on the way down, and makes less noise when it hits the bottom.” Two science teachers at Skt. Josef’s, Ole Grevald and Caroline Matthiassen, were also awarded the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s Natural Science Teachers’ Prize. The award worth DKK 250,000 recognises extraordinary teaching effort to build and promote science talent at the school. The two teachers helped to create the Science Talent programme, and also prepare students for the Young Scientist competition.

STEM Last year, Skt. Josef ’s school started a STEM club, an after-school programme for students from both the International and Danish departments. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and

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SKT. JOSEF'S SCHOOL IS ALWAYS HEAVILY REPRESENTED IN THE UNGE FORSKERE (YOUNG SCIENTIST) COMPETITION WHICH IS DENMARK'S LARGEST SCIENCE-BASED CONTEST.

ment at Skt. Josef’s International School in Roskilde. He has over twenty years of experience in education in different countries and across various school systems. Skt. Josef’s International School is located in beautiful

Mathematics. The club gives children the opportunity to freely explore interesting concepts where the students plan, develop and improve their designs and inventions. Students have designed and built a soda dispensing unit, and a coin sorting machine. Skt. Josef’s Roskilde International School has limited spaces available for this school year. Contact Rikke Holm on +45 46 30 46 05 or visit sktjosefs.com for more information. THE-INTL

Roskilde providing quality education for children aged five to 16 (Year 1 to Year 11).

sktjosefs.com

BUILD BETTER SELF-ESTEEM,

THE RIGHT WAY A tail of the beginner and the athlete.

PHOTOGRAPHS ISTOCK PHOTO

TEXT ED LEY

ED LEY HEALTH COACH, CONSULTANT, WRITER AND SPEAKER. Ed and his wife Christina have recently opened a clinic in Hellerup where they use neuroscience tools to help people solve

A BEGINNER AND an athlete stand together to run a marathon. They both go off at the same speed. For the first 100m there's nothing between them. 200m the beginner has to slow down, he tries to hang on, but after one mile it's clear he went off too quickly, and he has to stop. He feels dejected, and vows that he will never run again. He decides that he's rubbish at running, and that running is not for him. He goes to work on Monday and everyone in his office seems to be running and loving it. All the stars in the magazines are running, and they are great at it. He even reads a story about how someone who couldn't even walk last year, battled back, and is now running marathons for fun. He's motivated to try again, if only by shame. He finds another athlete to support him, and off they go. Sadly it's the same story all over again. He thinks he's pathetic. His confidence is getting lower and lower; he hates himself. He can’t understand why everyone else seems to be able to do it but he can’t, he's never felt so despondent. He repeats the same cycle of boom and bust another 20 times. It’s what we are taught to do, to rest, regroup and summon even more will power the next time. Worthless doesn't even begin to describe how he feels about himself. Then one day he meets a coach. The coach stands with him on the start line. The whistle goes. To his amazement the coach just walks. It's such a relief to the beginner. He starts to feel good about himself. He can do this easily, and he's making progress for the first time in his life. The next time out with his coach, the beginner walks a little faster, he

health challenges that have struggled to solve alone.

RUN AT YOUR OWN PACE, AND NOT AT SOMEONE ELSE'S

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even breaks into an occasional jog - like someone in a hurry to catch a train. After the 5th or 6th run the penny drops. All he needs to do is better than he did on the last run. The athlete has nothing to do with it.

Health can help you

PROGRESS IS AVAILABLE AT FAR LESS EFFORT

www. absolute health.net

Imagine if this didn't apply to just running. Imagine if this were true of everything we wanted to achieve. Imagine if all we had to do was be slightly better than last time. Imagine if low self-esteem is merely attaching our value to the wrong thing. Do you think we would be more likely to throw in the occasional sprint and not feel compelled to stop when we couldn't sustain it, but rather just returned to a walk or jog? Imagine if this could be applied to every goal, like losing weight or gaining muscle or starting a business or learning a language. Run at your own pace, and not at someone else’s. THE-INTL

too. To find out more visit our website.

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NOTHIN’ SAYS LOVIN’ LIKE A MUFFIN Baking muffins is a breeze says Erin Chapman, so why not give these delicious recipes a go. PHOTOGRAPHS ANDREAS WIKING, ERIN CHAPMAN

TEXT ERIN CHAPMAN, THE AMERICAN PIE COMPANY

SCHOOL HAS BEGUN, THE SUMMER FUN IS COMING TO A CLOSE, AND THE COOL BRISK DAYS ARE INCHING THEIR WAY CLOSER, THAT MEANS IT’S TIME TO BAKE. MUFFINS ARE THE PERFECT AUTUMN SNACK – OR LUNCHBOX TREAT – THAT COME IN JUST ABOUT ANY FLAVOUR IMAGINABLE. WHETHER YOU’RE A WHIZ IN THE KITCHEN OR A FIRST-TIMER AT THROWING SOME FLOUR AND SUGAR TOGETHER, MUFFINS ARE A SNAP TO BAKE. SO GRAB YOUR KIDS OR CALL YOUR FRIENDS, AND GET OUT THOSE MUFFIN PANS!

LEMON POPPY SEED MUFFINS LIGHT AS AIR, THESE MUFFINS ARE SOFT IN TEXTURE AND ZESTY IN FLAVOUR, WITH A DELICATE CRUNCH FROM THE POPPY SEEDS. PERFECT WITH TEA ON A RAINY DAY FOR AN AFTERNOON TREAT. MAKES 12 MUFFINS.

INGREDIENTS: 115g unsalted butter, room temperature 150g sugar 2 eggs 200g flour, sifted 1 teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon baking soda 2½ tablespoons poppy seeds Freshly grated zest of 2 lemons ¼ teaspoon salt 125ml buttermilk 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

GLAZE (OPTIONAL): 60g powdered sugar, sifted 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed

METHOD: Preheat the oven to 1800 C. Grease a muffin pan with butter or line pan with paper liners. In a large bowl, cream together the

MUFFIN TIPS When making your next batch of muffins, keep the following in mind:

butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, poppy seeds, lemon zest and salt until combined. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in 2 additions, alternating with the buttermilk stirring with a spoon after each addition. Stir in lemon juice and vanilla extract. Spoon the batter into each muffin cup and fill about 3/4 full, dividing the batter evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes (30-35 minutes for larger muffin pans) or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean. Remove muffins from oven and let cool for 10 minutes before turning out on a wire rack to cool completely. To make the glaze, in a small bowl, squeeze 2 tablespoons of lemon juice into the powdered sugar and blend well with a spoon. Drizzle over cooled muffins. Serve at room temperature.

1. When pouring your muffin batter in-

2. All ovens are a bit different. Most muffin reci-

3. It’s hard to wait when you have

4. Muffins are usually

to the forms, if you don’t fill all your muf-

pes need about 25-35 minutes to bake, but the

heavenly fresh muffins hot out of the

quite moist on their own,

fin cups, be sure to fill the empty spac-

best way to check if your muffins are done, is to

oven. Serve muffins warm or, prefer-

but they can also be

es with 1-2 cm water before baking to

insert a toothpick into the centre of a muffin to-

ably, at room temperature. Wait at

served with a smear of

prevent the pan from warping, and al-

ward the end of the baking time. If it comes out

least 15-20 min after taking them out

butter and honey or jam.

low for a more even baking.

clean, they are ready to come out of the oven.

of the oven, so they have time to rest.

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ERIN CHAPMAN CO-OWNER, THE AMERICAN PIE COMPANY With over 20 years’ experience in the advertising industry, working both in Denmark and USA, Er-

THE BLUEBERRY MUFFINS IS THE KING OF THE MUFFIN WORLD, AND THIS RECIPE IS MY FAVOURITE, AND THE ULTIMATE WEEKEND BRUNCH TREAT WITH THEIR CRISPY, BUTTERY SUGAR CRUMB TOPPING.

in has specialised in brand building and image development for lifestyle, food and fashion clientele at both national and international level. Erin attended DIS, Denmark’s

BLUEBERRY MUFFINS WITH SUGAR CRUMB TOPPING MAKES 10-12 MUFFINS.

TOPPING: 45g flour 2 tablespoons sugar 2 tablespoons brown sugar (muscavado sugar) ¼ teaspoon cinnamon 2 tablespoons (30g) cold butter, cut into small pieces

MUFFINS: 100g butter, room temperature 180g sugar 2 eggs 1½ teaspoon vanilla extract 350g flour 4 teaspoons baking powder ¼ teaspoon salt 225ml milk 200g fresh or frozen blueberries*

METHOD: Preheat oven to 190 C. Grease a muffin pan with butter or line pan with paper liners. In a small bowl, begin by making the topping by stirring together the flour, sugar, brown sugar and cinnamon. Using a fork or your fingers, cut or rub the butter into the flour mixture just until coarse crumbs form. Place in the refrigerator. To make the muffins. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then add the vanilla extract and mix. In another bowl, stir together the flour, 0

baking powder and salt. Using a spoon, add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating two times with the milk, stirring just until combined. The batter will be slightly lumpy. Add the blueberries and GENTLY fold them into the batter with a spoon or flat spatula. Take care not to overmix or crush the berries. Spoon the batter into each muffin cup and fill about 2/3 full, dividing the batter evenly. Using about 2/3 of the sugar topping, sprinkle each muffin to coat. Bake for 10-15 minutes and then sprinkle a second coating of the sugar topping onto the muffins. Return to oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the muffins turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the centre of a muffin comes out clean. Remove muffins from oven and let cool for 10 minutes before turning out on a wire rack to cool. Serve warm or at room temperature. *If using frozen blueberries, do NOT thaw or they will turn the batter blue. Fold in the berries frozen.

Study Abroad programme in

SPICED CARROT & APPLE MUFFINS

1996 and made a connection

PACKED WITH APPLES, CARROTS, NUTS, AND

Denmark permanently in 1998

SPICES, THESE HEARTY MUFFINS ARE GREAT

with two suitcases and a pocket-

FOR WEEKEND MORNINGS, OR THE LUNCH

ful of change. Working in the ad-

BOX. MAKES 14-18 MUFFINS.

vertising industry she worked

INGREDIENTS: 280g sugar 250g flour 2 teaspoons cinnamon 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon ground ginger ½ teaspoon salt 60g raisins 2 apples, peeled and finely chopped 160g carrots, finely grated 40g pecans or walnuts, chopped (optional) 3 large eggs 200ml vegetable oil 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

METHOD: Preheat oven to 1750 C. Grease a muffin pan with butter or line pan with paper liners. In a large bowl, sift together the sugar, flour, cinnamon, baking soda, ginger and salt. Add the raisins, shredded apple, carrots and nuts. Stir with a spoon until thoroughly combined. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs together with the vegetable oil and vanilla extract. Pour mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until thoroughly combined. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each one just below the edge. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean. Cool muffins in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

with Copenhagen. She moved to

her way up as a senior creative, as well as a voiceover artist, and then began her own brand and design business in 2006. Merging her love for food and art direction, she began food styling and cookbook design for other authors, and then proceeded to continue with recipe development, publishing two cookbooks in Denmark. While living in Los Angeles, Erin worked with several US brands on image and recipe development and upon returning to Denmark, she partnered with Dorte Prip in 2015 to introduce The American Pie Company in Copenhagen. Erin is happily married to her Danish husband and is the mother of a sassyfive year old daughter who speaks fluent “Danglish”.

www.theamericanpieco.com

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(THE JOY OF) DENMARK OUTSIDE COPENHAGEN TAKE A JOURNEY WITH KAY XANDER MELLISH, AND DISCOVER THE UNEXPECTED PLEASURES OF GOING WHERE THE 2A BUS CAN’T TAKE YOU. PHOTOGRAPHS ISTOCKPHOTO

you could scratch up with a key to demonstrate the emptiness of materialism.) Brandts, a mixed contemporary/traditional art museum in Odense, is also fun and quirky, and even Esbjerg Art Museum is accessible and handson. By that I mean literally hands on – there are small cabinets in the basement where you reach in, grope a small piece of sculpture, and try to guess what it is you’re feeling.

INEQUALITY IN DENMARK

One of the things I enjoy most about being a public speaker is the c h a n c e t o t r ave l around Denmark, and speak to audiences who live more than 20 minutes away from Copenhagen City Hall. Whether it’s speaking about Danish work culture to wind engineers in Helsingør, explaining the quirks of contemporary English to gymnasium students in Herning, or hosting a “game show” about Danish culture in Sønderborg, it’s always fun to get off a train in a Danish town I’ve never been in before, find my way to the venue with the help of Google Maps, and meet new people. But not everybody gets a chance to see Denmark from this perspective. It’s frustrating how many newcomers think that if they’ve seen Copenhagen, they’ve seen Denmark – although, to be fair, these are probably the same people who stand in line for two hours at Disneyland and four hours at the Statue of Liberty and think they’ve seen the United States, or take a selfie outside the Taj Mahal and then cross India off their list. It isn’t just internationals who think

this way: I recently edited a major Danish organisation’s promotional text called Bicycling in Denmark. It went into great detail about Copenhagen shared bikes and Copenhagen bicycle highways and how many sick days Copenhagen residents had saved themselves with their fondness for cycling. Could a person also bicycle around Haderslev or Lolland or even Aalborg? Nobody seemed to have looked into that. If the Copenhagen metropolitan area has about two million residents, as suggested by Statistics Denmark, then there 4.7 million people in Denmark who do not live in Copenhagen, and not all of them are like the lonely rural studs on the TV2 reality series Farmers Seeking Love.

GREAT CONTEMPORARY ART OUTSIDE COPENHAGEN In fact, in some cases they’re more creative and cosmopolitan than their fellow citizens in the capital. The best contemporary art museum in Denmark is in Aarhus – AROS, with its wonderful rainbow walkway on the roof and eclectic collection of modern pieces. (The last time I went there I saw a framed collection of beggars’ cardboard signs from all over the world, plus a real Lamborghini

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Another thing you can see as you travel Denmark around is inequality. Towns that are close to major industries or attract tourists – particularly West Coast places that attract German tourists – are well-preserved and lively, the ground floors of their 16th century halftimbered houses full of cafés and candle shops. You can get wonderful lobster soup at lunchtime (Skagen) or buy handmade local chocolates (Vejle). In less fortunate locations, many of the shops are vacant, and you’ll find there’s nothing to eat at midday but pizza or McDonald’s. That’s if you can eat at all: I stepped off the train in one small Danish city to the overwhelming smell of cow poo. (Having grown up in a dairy farming state in the USA, I know cow poo well.) The smell was unavoidable throughout the long day of business meetings, and still there when I got back on the train at the end of the day. Someone just booked me again for a speech there. I accepted, with a long sigh. But that won’t keep me from exploring new places in Denmark. I recently bought a small book of 1950s tourist postcards from around the country, graphic delights that describe Ribe as “the town of storks” and Struer as “right in the middle of everything.” I’ve used it to make a list of future destinations – Abenraa, Silkeborg, Tønder, I’m coming for you! THE-INTL

KAY XANDER MELLISH KEYNOTE SPEAKER, BLOGGER “HOW TO LIVE IN DENMARK”

A US-Danish dual national, Kay has lived in Denmark for more than 10 years. She is the author of the book How to Live in Denmark: A Humorous Guide for Foreigners and their Danish Friends, available at the Statens Museum for Kunst gift shop and Denmark’s National Museum gift shop, and the new book How to Work in Denmark: Tips for Finding a Job, Succeeding at Work, and Understanding Your Danish Boss. You can book Kay for a speech to your company, school or group.

www.howtoliveindenmark.com

FOOTFALL FREEFALL AND THE MAGASIN DU NORD Anyone lucky enough to be in Copenhagen around July can’t fail to notice the lights draping the iconic Magasin department store in Kongens Nytorv. However, recent financial news from across the North Sea threatens to dim those lights, if not extinguish them entirely.

DANISH SHOPPING CENTRE

PHOTOGRAPHS ISTOCKPHOTO

chain Magasin du Nord – of which the 124-yearold emblematic Copenhagen store is the flagship – was bought by UK chain Debenhams a decade ago for a bargain basement price. Although this probably provided Magasin with a lifeline at the time, Debenhams itself is now in trouble and struggling to stay afloat in a cruel and turbulent retail sea. The ongoing retail slump in the UK has seen Debenhams’ shares plummet by up to 70 per cent over the past year, and the company is under intense pressure to raise money. Financial advisors appointed by the firm have indicated that Magasin would fetch around DKK 2 billion on the market (around ten times what they paid for it). So, it’s perhaps no surprise that they are considering putting it up for sale. But what is causing this retail malaise? When they are not blaming it on the weather, analysts and reporters will tell you that it's the relentless march of online shopping. All the bargains that can be had at the click of a mouse means fewer people are actually setting foot in bricks and mortar stores. Measured in terms of footfall, the BBC reports that the number of people entering UK shops is in an "unprecedented decline", with every month seeming to see a new low reached. Denmark, by contrast, doesn’t seem to be experiencing such as steep fall as the UK. In fact, retail sales figures are holding up pretty well, with year-on-year figures averaging out at a sustained increase of 1.1 per cent every year since 1996.

Perhaps this is due to the relatively slow uptake of online shopping in Denmark. If so, that could all change soon. The Ecommerce Foundation reports that Denmark is experiencing blistering rates of growth in online retailing, with an al-

mark, where they remain stuck at -0.65%. In fact they’ve been stuck in negative territory since 2013, only briefly managing to break the surface above 0% in 2014 before sinking back down into the monetary swamp again. This effectively means that in Denmark you get paid to borrow money. The reason for this, is because Denmark is in a kind of inverse beggar-thy-neighbour situation. Interest rates in the Eurozone are also set at negative rates, and have been since the end of the financial crisis which began in 2008. Rates were set low to encourage banks to lend money for investment which should, in turn, lead to economic expansion. But Denmark, which still has the Krone as its currency, isn’t in the Eurozone – although it may as well be. The Danish central bank – Danmarks Nationalbank – retains the power to set interest rates, and it has to fix them below the Eurozone so as to prevent floods of money pouring into the country and overwhelming the exchange rate. Prior to 2008, being a small country with a financial safe-haven status was considered a good thing that that enabled you to access vast amounts of wealth, but in this topsy-turvy post financial crisis world, Denmark now has to try and make itself look less attractive than its neighbours. In this matter its hands are tied. It has to maintain its peg to the euro within tight bounds, and the only way it can do that is by adjusting interest rates. Perhaps it should just have joined the euro in the first place. THE-INTL

THE ECOMMERCE FOUNDATION REPORTS THAT DENMARK IS EXPERIENCING BLISTERING RATES OF GROWTH IN ONLINE RETAILING, WITH AN ALMOST 16% INCREASE LAST YEAR ALONE. most 16 per cent increase last year alone. At that rate it won’t be long before big stores like Magasin start to really feel the heat. Could Debenhams be cashing in their chips while the going is good?

ZERO INTEREST As you may have heard, over in the UK the Bank of England recently raised interest rates by a miserly-sounding 0.25%, meaning they have now reached a new recent high of 0.75%. It doesn’t sound like much until you compare that to rates in Den-

TEXT JASON HEPPENSTALL

JASON HEPPENSTALL CURRENCY ANALYST AND ECONOMICS WRITER, TORFX. Jason spent almost 10 years living and working in Denmark as an English teacher and news editor. With a degree in economics and years of experience writing for publications including The Guardian, Jason also has a thorough knowledge of expat life in Denmark, and can convincingly say rød grød med fløde to the satisfaction of the average Dane. He is married to a Copenhagener and they live together in Cornwall, UK, with their two children.

www. torfx.com

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THOMAS HØYRUP CHRISTENSEN

MARTIN GREGERS JENSEN

TIVOLI - PETER NØRBY

GETTING AROUND DENMARK The cost of cars may have you thinking twice about how to get from A to B in Denmark.

PHOTOGRAPHS COPENHAGEN MEDIA CENTER & MARTIN GREGERS JENSEN

TEXT LAURA WINTEMUTE

a Danish one for a mere DKK 280. What will however cost you a small fortune is buying a car in Denmark! When comparing purchasing vehicles in Denmark to other countries, regardless of whether or not you import your car, buy new, or used, vehicle ownership costs a small fortune. There is a 150-180 per cent registration tax on the original value of the any car. This means for example; a new Volkswagen Tiguan would set you back approximately DKK 400,000 – quite costly. Whether you decide to ride a bike, walk, take transit or enjoy the luxury of a vehicle, Homestead recommends using one of the following services:

 GREEN MOBILITY:

ONE MAY BE surprised to hear that there are over three million privately owned cars in tiny old Denmark. That’s not counting the other three million vehicles used for companies, leased cars or taxis. Denmark is small, only 550km from Copenhagen to the tip of Jutland. That many vehicles in a relatively small country seems unimaginable. Coming from the second largest country in the world (Canada), and settling down in a relatively small country, it was difficult for me to understand why a weekend trip from Copenhagen to Aalborg was such a big deal for the locals. A short four-hour drive was nothing to me. Leave Friday, home Sunday… no biggie. In Canada we would drive that for a night out or even just out for dinner and a movie! So, while it appears to many who live across the pond, that Denmark's main mode of transportation is the bicycle, it’s quite apparent that is not the case for many Danes. For many who live and work

Electric city cars can be rented for DKK 3.50/minute. If you’re a “Homesteader” you receive your first 30 minutes free. www.greenmobility.com/dk/en in the city, cycling to work is a breeze. The bike lanes and traffic are all designed flawlessly to have a safe commute. While I prefer the idea of joyfully cycling to work and back on a daily basis, the reality is that being a working mother, who resides in the suburbs, this is just not a reasonable lifestyle for myself and my family. On weekends, of course, we are the first family to grab our bicycles and explore this beautiful FLAT country.

DRIVING DENMARK Driving in Denmark is quite similar to driving in Canada. Although, when I arrived 11 years ago, the Canadian driver’s licenses weren’t recognised or accepted, so I was inclined to take both the written and driving tests again. IN DANISH! A mere DKK 13,000 and six months later I obtained my Danish driver’s license. Years later, things have changed, and it is a tad frustrating to me that Canadians can simply swap their current license to

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 EXPATRIDE: Designed for solely for Expats, is a company which assists international newcomers with leasing and insuring of their vehicles in Denmark. www.expatride. com/countries/denmark

 DENMARK’S PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM IS FANTASTIC: You can commute from almost anywhere on Sjælland in approximately one hour… max! People in other major cities around the world (which Copenhagen is) would be pleased with the commute time. www. dinoffentligetransport.dk/service/fortourists THE-INTL

FOR MANY WHO LIVE AND WORK IN THE CITY, CYCLING TO WORK IS A BREEZE.

LAURA WINTEMUTE OWNER, HOMESTEAD Laura was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. At a very young age she knew that she wanted to travel. At the age of 22, she packed her bags and moved to the tropical Cayman Islands. This launched her journey as an expat. In the Cayman Islands she learned how to interact with people from all walks of life, all nationalities and all cultures. She worked in the hotel concierge service, hotel management and, eventually, opened her own restaurants. In her eighth year of living in the Cayman’s, she met her Danish husband-tobe. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Whistler, Canada, where Laura managed a 5-star restaurant. One year later they settled in Denmark where she married and had a daughter. In 2012, she started working for a relocation company. It was a job that encapsulated both Laura’s experience as an expat and her love of helping people. She learned everything there was to know about relocation to Denmark and built a good network. After six years’ experience in relocation, she wanted to take her expertise to the next level and started Homestead – welcoming international working expats and their families to Denmark.

www.homesteaddenmark.com

BEAUTY BY NATURE Beauty Editor, Barbara Mensah, shares the power of organic essential oils in your skincare and beauty regime.

BARBARA MENSAH BEAUTY EDITOR & MAKEUP ARTIST Barbara was born in England, London with her origins in Ghana. She has been a makeup artist for over 10 years. She moved

WITH SUMMER DRAWING to a close, now might be a good a time

to think about nourishing our skin and allowing some natural organic goodness into our skincare and beauty regime. Let’s talk essential oils, organic fragrances, organic anti-aging serums and eye creams - all a girl needs to surviving the aftermath of the raging summer heat we have been blessed with this season. Essential oils are so underrated yet they are true blessings of Mother Nature for beauty and skincare. Most commonly used in aromatherapy and usually inhaled through the nose, mouth or rubbed on your skin, the most popular essential oils are lavender, Tea tree, Sandalwood, Rose, Ylang-Ylang, Peppermint, Jasmine, Frankincense and bergamot. All of which have their own healing properties ranging from stress relief, improving skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, boosting energy and fighting infections, removing red marks and wrinkles to increasing libido. Often, we only think about nourishing our bodies with organic foods snacks and beverages, and simply forget that our skincare and beauty regime deserves the same treatment. A daunting thought is that many non-organic beauty products on the market are packed with a cocktail of chemicals and ingredients that are in most cases un-pronounceable, jacked with parabens, which are linked to cancer and often contain Phthalates, Synthetic chemical, Petroleum jelly and the list goes on. With so many beauty products floating on the market today that have not been tested yet, it’s never been a better time to really process the thought of, ‘what goes into the skin will eventually go into the body’.

A PASSION FOR NATURE Founded by Dr. Malte Hozzel, a world-renowned aroma-therapist and Educator, Oshadhi is one the world’s finest, 100 per cent pure aromatic distillates which is sourced from reputable distillers from all corners of the world. The name Oshadhi comes from Sanskrit and means healing plant and carrier of light.

to Copenhagen in 2017 with her Danish husband and son after living in They select all their products directly from the source, including destinations such as Africa, India and Himalayas.

Stockholm, Sweden. Barbara is currently working as a freelance make-

FRAGRANCES The Oshadhi fragrance and aftershave selections are fresh, rich in aroma, gentle on the skin and a work with the heat produced by your body to create your own unique essence. The brand has 24 organic eau de toilettes for ladies, seven for men and five organic aftershaves – you’re spoilt for choice in the fragrance arena. Almost all the fragrances are unisex with some having a more feminine/ masculine aromas than others. The real gem about Oshadhi is that on all their packaging, they list an A-Z of every ingredient that has gone into creating the product. Which is fantastic as you know exactly what is going into your skin.

COSMETIC PRODUCTS

up artist, and is travelling between the UK and Denmark for make-up bookings. You can follow Barbara’s life here in Denmark on YouTube – Barbara Mensah Vlogs. Facebook: www. facebook.com/ barbaramensahvlogs

With seven creams and serums to choose from, Oshadhi certified organic skincare products simply work better than any other on the market due to the super high quality and purity of the ingredients. Best sellers being the Anti-aging eye cream and anti-aging face serum. Their creams, oils and body rubs are light on the skin, and also pack a punch in the healing process and quality. The anti-aging facial serum and eye cream are filled with high quantities of Omega fatty oils and Copaiva, which are key to brightening and restoring moisture and natural firmness. THE-INTL

Instagram: @itsbarbaramensah Bookings: barbaramensahvlogs@gmail.com

VISIT WWW.OSHADHI.DK FOR THE WIDE RANGE OF PRODUCTS. DISCOUNT VOUCHER

The International readers get DKK 100 off a minimum purchase of DKK 500. USE DISCOUNT CODE: BARBARA100kr at checkout.

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JUTLAND

CULTURAL EXCHANGE IN AARHUS From a vibrant sprawling metropolis in southern India to the picturesque yet distinctly more peaceful streets of Denmark’s second city, Indian-born Subhiksha Kalaiarasan swapped frenzied Chennai for laid-back Aarhus when her husband relocated for work in mid-2016.

PHOTOGRAPHS ZANE HARTMANE

TEXT KATE ANTONAS – SPOUSE COMMUNITY AARHUS

I LOVED AARHUS from the moment we landed, and could tell immediately that this was a completely different way of life – I remember every little thing I saw excited me! India is a very fast-paced country while in Denmark, everything is so organised and calm, I find people to have a very conscious way of living which is so refreshing. Aarhus has a fantastic energy with everything we wanted in a city, but with the community feel of a town. My favourite thing about living here is always running into a familiar face when I’m out and about. I think I’d feel a little lost in a bigger city, but here we’re settled and looking to stay for the long term.

WORKING THROUGH THE CHALLENGES For the past 10 years, I’ve worked in business intelligence and data engineering, and it was important to me that I kept my career going in Aarhus. Job hunting was a long and sometimes frustrating process – at times it felt like I was trying to break through a barrier of stereotypes to try and get compaSubhiksha’s story originally featured in ‘What Is A Spouse?’ A project run by Spouse Community Aarhus to tell inspiring stories from international individuals who have nies to notice me and understand fearlessly entered into the Danish culture with the hope of thriving in Aarhus alongwhat I have to offer. It was certainside their partners. ly the biggest challenge I’ve faced since moving here, and could have been a deciding factor as to whether we stayed or went back to India. I’m now working in my field at Kiloo – a Alongside full-time work, I volunteer as reer, I decided to follow my passion for mobile gaming company where I process a board member with Spouse Community food. I’d always loved cooking for people tons of data to build insights which help Aarhus. I came to realise quickly how imback in India, but I was always so occuimprove the gaming experience for our usportant it is to volunteer and be engaged pied with work. ers. Of course, the famed Danish work/life in the community, and it has been fantasA few friends and I started a pop-up resbalance is incredible – just having time to tic to get involved and meet people who taurant concept where once a month we’d enjoy lunch with colleagues or a coffee afhave been through a similar situation to hired a commercial kitchen and then bring ter work – and the Fredagsbar concept is me as an “accompanying partner”. It was the food to different venues across Aarhus. something I’ve embraced! great to know I wasn’t the only one going The response was fantastic and we sold out When we arrived, my husband had a through the initial struggles of settling in, of food at every event with over 100 people strong sense for kick-starting our social and that many of us experience the little attending each pop-up. For me, this was an life right from the start, so we immediately surprises of day-to-day life as an expat. incredible opportunity to share authentic got involved in the community and cultural Indian cuisine and culture with the Aarhus scene. Looking back, I think it was very imTHE SPICE OF LIFE community – sort of a foodie cultural exportant for me to push myself in this way. Amidst the job search to restart my cachange. THE-INTL

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INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND SPOUSE COMMUNITY AARHUS International Community and Spouse Community Aarhus offer a wide range of events, seminars and online activities that help internationals get settled in Denmark. Learn more on internationalcommunity.dk or follow us on Facebook @InternationalCommunityAarhus and Instagram @ internationalcommunityaarhus Discover more, or become a part of Spouse Community Aarhus at spousecommunity.dk or follow us on Facebook @spousecommunityaarhus and Instagram @spousecommunityaarhus www.erhvervaarhus.dk www.international community.dk

BOOKS TO GET YOU ALL

HOT AND BOTHERED

If you enjoyed the tropical heat this summer, you can keep the fires burning a little longer. There are plenty more books where Fifty Shades of Grey came from, so donÂ´t let the colder temperatures put a dampener on your mood.

SUSAN JESSEN SPIELE LIBRARIAN Susan is a librarian at Roskilde Library, and in charge of the English section. She does English events all year; everything from expat dinners and pub quizzes, to karaoke nights and book talks. She is also busy with Roskilde Horror, a club dedicated to scaring the town.

YOU KNOW WHAT YOU GET BARED TO YOU BY SYLVIA DAY Eva, new to New York and with a troubled past, meets a handsome stranger and starts a shaky relationship. It turns out that she and Gideon are both abuse survivors finding true love and passion for the first time. The first of five books.

A HOT CLASSIC DELTA OF VENUS BY ANAĂ?S NIN

This collection of 15 erotic short stories made a lot of waves when it was first published posthumously in 1977, and inspired a whole generation of female writers. Written for a private collector in the 1940s, they still work today due to the language and (un)pure imagination.

LIBRARIES ARE EVERYWHERE!

SEX, ROMANCE AND VAMPIRES

THE BRIDE STRIPPED BARE BY NIKKI GEMMELL

DARK LOVER BY J. R. WARD

This book is written in the form of a diary by a young wife, seemingly content and devoted, who has disappeared. In it, the author talks frankly about sex and love, and chronicles her relationship with a mysterious man she meets at a library group.

A story of the romance between Wrath, the only pure blooded vampire left and Beth, a human/vampire half breed who is about to undergo the transition from human to vampire. Wrath hates humans but has to care for Beth. The first of The Black Dagger Brotherhood

DID YOU KNOW? Libraries often collaborate with other parties; for example, Roskilde Horror, a club that takes horror very seriously! The group of Danish and international volunteers create an interactive haunted house experience, and are always looking for new members. So, if you fancy being an actor, stagehand, makeup artist, etc., please contact Roskilde Horror on Facebook @RoskildeHorro or at roskildehorror@ gmail.com

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SEPTEMBER 2018 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM