Move over Noma, there’s a new star in town
What litter problem? City kills ‘Test Tubes’ project
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22 - 27 March 2013 | Vol 16 Issue 12
Jumping to conclusions: The Conspiracy of Spring
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Denmark’s only English-language newspaper | cphpost.dk JUSTIN CREMER
NEWS
Lockout looming: If teachers and the councils don’t make a deal, students will be looking at a long Easter break
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NEWS
Free to pee With new portable urinals, city wants to do away with the pools of piss that often line Strøget
10 COMMUNITY
45 Other feast days green with envy as St Patrick’s Day once again charms the city
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BUSINESS
CHRISTIAN WENANDE
Failed bankers to pay up Former top officials of six failed banks told to fork out as much as three billion kroner
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Denmark to pull out of Afghanistan earlier than planned The British base that houses the Danish troops will be disbanded in August, leaving the Danes with nowhere to stay. “We won,” DF spokesperson says
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RIME Minister Helle ThorningSchmidt (Socialdemokraterne) has revealed that the last Danish infantry soldier will leave Afghanistan by late summer this year, and not by the end of 2014 as was planned. The news means that Squad 15, the last Danish infantry squad remaining in Afghanistan, will not be replaced when they ship back to Denmark in August. The early withdrawal is being attributed to British troops being called home before time as well. Camp Price, where
the Danish soldiers are stationed, is run by the British and will be closed down in August, prompting an early return for the Danish soldiers. “Denmark is one of the countries that have carried the toughest load in Afghanistan, and Danish soldiers have been on the front line since 2002,” ThorningSchmidt said on Tuesday in her weekly press conference. “They have provided an invaluable service for our safety, and they have been part of helping the Afghans take care of their own security.” A number of Danish defence personnel will remain in the country in order to train the Afghan police force and to man special units and tanks. The original withdrawal plan, revealed in January, was for the last Danish unit to leave by the end of 2014. But the prime minister said that the Afghan
security forces have prepared themselves quicker than expected to take over the reins from their Danish counterparts. “The situation is that the Danish and British forces determined that there shouldn’t be new squads when the current team leaves for home in August. After that we will support only with our tanks,” Thorning-Schmidt said. Despite the withdrawal of the Danish military presence in Afghanistan, the government is dedicated to putting greater focus on efforts to aid civil society. To this end, Denmark will contribute to the development of the Afghan police force and will give more than two billion kroner to Afghanistan in financial support. Denmark has also proposed a globallycommitted relief effort to help Afghans. The support will go to the development of the embattled nation, as well as
promoting sound government, financial growth and improving the local security forces so that they can take on Taleban rebels without foreign assistance, according to Marie Krarup, the defence spokesperson for Dansk Folkeparti (DF). “Our withdrawal depends on British and US plans. It doesn’t make sense to leave our soldiers standing alone in the desert,” Krarup told Ritzau news service. “We have made a huge difference, and we have won that war. We went down to beat al-Qaeda and did so. Unfortunately we can’t completely eradicate the Taleban. The Afghans must do that themselves.” In 2011, Denmark had 720 soldiers stationed in Afghanistan. By the end of 2012, that number had dropped to 650. Forty-three Danish troops have lost their lives since Denmark joined international forces in Afghanistan in 2002.
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Week in review
The Copenhagen Post cphpost.dk
CPH Post Word of the Week:
22 - 27 March 2013 THE WEEK’S MOST READ STORIES AT CPHPOST.DK
Flygter (verb) – To flee. Where you heard it: It was a bad week for Socialistisk Folkeparti (SF), with its political spokesperson, an MEP and a former MP leaving the party. Even SF’s director of communications quit.
Topless Danish gymnasts cause a stir in Brazil
Simone Aaberg Kærn
War is hell
Copenhagen looking to import cannabis from the US Winter coming back with a vengeance Life after cannabis prohibition: The city announces its ambitions Two Copenhagen restaurants get two Michelin stars
FROM OUR ARCHIVES TEN YEARS AGO. By an unprecedentedly slim majority, parliament votes to deploy troops to the War in Iraq. FIVE YEARS AGO. The state’s attorney pursues charges against three men arrested for alleged bomb-making and planned kidnapping. ONE YEAR AGO. A Holsterbro school is fined after forcing a student to eat a dish that violated her religious beliefs.
In a week that marked the tenth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq and the surprise announcement that Denmark would leave Afghanistan earlier than planned, artist Simone Aaberg Kærn’s macabre portraits of political leaders were a reminder of the ugly side of war. Read about it at bit.ly/11eDR0i
his husband is employed, and where he himself was a member of the board. While ruling that there was no conflict of interest, Rigsrevisionen did however criticise the cost of the dinners and said that the Culture Ministry should have investigated whether the dinners were appropriate given Elbæk’s connections.
Denmark’s only English-language newspaper
Done deal
a political agreement has been reached to start construction on a new Storstrøm bridge to connect the islands of Zealand and Falster, replacing the old one that was permanently closed last year due to safety concerns. The combination highway and double-tracked rail bridge will also include a bicycle and pedestrian
President and Publisher Ejvind Sandal
Since 1998, The Copenhagen Post has been Denmark’s leading source for news in English. As the voice of the international community, we provide coverage for the thousands of foreigners making their home in Denmark. Additionally, our English language medium helps to bring Denmark’s top stories to a global audience.
CEO and Executive Editor Jesper Nymark
In addition to publishing the only regularly printed English-language newspaper in the country, we provide up-to-date news on our website and deliver news to national and international organisations. The Copenhagen Post is also a leading provider of non-news services to the private and public sectors, offering writing, translation, editing, production and delivery services.
Managing Editor Ben Hamilton
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Editor-in-Chief (responsible under the Media Liability Act) Kevin McGwin
News Editor Justin Cremer Journalists Peter Stanners, Ray Weaver & Christian Wenande
path. The parties agreed to start the project now to ensure that the bridge is ready in 2021, when the Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link between Denmark and Germany is scheduled to open, and partly to apply for TEN-T support (the EU transportation support fund) for the project. The bridge is expected to cost four billion kroner.
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Colourbox
the Former culture minister, Uffe Elbæk (Radikale), who left his post after allegations of nepotism, has been cleared by the state auditors, Rigsrevisionen. Elbæk was in the centre of a political storm in December after it emerged he had spent 180,000 kroner on five official dinners and meetings at an art school where
Scanpix / Søren Bidstrup
Scanpix / Jens Nørgaard Larsen
Cleared
CORRECTION We wrote last week that non-citizens must have lived in Denmark for four years before they can vote in local elections. The waiting period is three years.
Normalised
Come July, 41 years of special treatment by the government will end for Christiania. Last week the government passed a new law that will confer the state’s regular legislation to the 34-hectare freetown. The area, which was established by squatters in 1971, has been governed since 1989 according to the ‘Christiania Law’.
Layout and design Justin Cremer Aviaja Bebe Nielsen Logo by Rasmus Koch Published by CPHPOST.DK ApS Printed by Dagbladet, Ringsted.
“The Christianites can live as they like, but on the same conditions as the rest of society,” the climate, energy and buildings minister, Martin Lidegaard (Radikale), told Information newspaper. This formalises Christiania’s ‘normalised’ status after the community agreed to buy the area from the state in 2011.
The CPH Post welcomes outside articles and letters to the editor. Letters and comments can be left on our website or at: comments@cphpost.dk
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News
The Copenhagen Post cphpost.dk
22 - 27 March 2013
Justin Cremer Noma once again misses its third star, while Geranium joins it in the “worth a detour” category
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t was Michelin star time again last week and the one thing everyone wanted to know was whether this would be the year that Noma got its coveted third star. The answer, alas, was no. Rene Redzepi’s world-famous New Nordic eatery will have to once again be content with two Michelin stars, which means the restaurant is “worth a detour” rather than “worth a special journey”. Joining Noma in the twostar category is the restaurant Geranium, headed by star chef Rasmus Kofoed, who won the prestigious Bocuse d’Or award in 2011. Eleven other Copenhagen restaurants were given one Michelin star, which indicates that the food is “very good cuisine in its category”. This means that the city now has 13 restaurants with at least one Michelin star, one more than last year. An additional 13 Copenhagen-area restaurants were awarded a ‘Bib Gourmand’, denoting “good cuisine at a reasonable price”. As has been the case in the
Scanpix / Keld Navntoft
Two get two: Michelin stars handed out
Business leaders praise Thorning-Schmidt’s policies A poll of top executives has rated the current government as better for business than the previous Venstre-led regime
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Geranium restaurant’s Rasmus Kofoed (right) and Rasmus Ledet celebrate the restaurant’s two-star Michelin rating. The eatery joins Noma as the only Danish restaurants to receive the designation
last couple of years, there were rumblings in the Danish press about Noma ‘only’ receiving two stars despite being declared the ‘world’s best restaurant’ three years running in Restaurant magazine’s rankings of the world’s top 50 eateries. Complaints also came from Jutland due to the fact that the Michelin reviewers only visit restaurants in the Greater Copenhagen area. That means that Aarhus’s Restaurant Frederikshøj, which was named the best restaurant in Denmark last year – ahead of both Noma and Geranium – did not receive a visit nor the chance to earn a
Michelin star. “It’s every chef ’s dream to win a Michelin star,” Restaurant Frederikshøj’s head chef Wassim Hallal told the tabloid Ekstra Bladet. “It would mean that we would get international guests coming here.” Lotta Wrangle, a Michelin spokesperson, told Ekstra Bladet that it is simply too difficult to get to Jutland on a weekend trip from places like France. The Michelin star designations came just one week after scores of diners fell ill after eating at Noma due to an employee’s illness spreading to customers.
DK’s Michelin restaurants • Geranium, CPH Ø ** • Noma, CPH K ** • Grønbech og Churchill, CPH K * • AOC, CPH K * • Relæ, CPH N * • Den Røde Cottage, Klampenborg * • Kong Hans Kælder, CPH K * • Søllerld Kro, Holte * • Era Ora, CPH K * • Kiin Kiin, CPH N * • Kokkeriet, CPH K * • Formel B, CPH K * • Kadeau, CPH K *
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hile PM Helle ThorningSchmidt (Socialdemokraterne) and her party have been taking a daily pounding in the court of public opinion since the release of its growth plan, the ThorningSchmidt government is riding a rare wave of high praise from the country’s business leaders. Nearly 200 bosses of medium or large-sized enterprises were polled by Berlingske newspaper, and 43 percent of them said that the current government was doing a better job than the previous Venstre-Konservative regime. Only 13 percent said that V-K was better for competition in the marketplace. “The Thorning-Schmidt government has generally undertaken responsible and courageous ‘blue’ economic policies, including important reforms and tax cuts,” Jim Pedersen, the head of the oil trading company Wrist Group – which last year generated sales of 65.5 billion kroner – told Berlingske. “There was too little accomplished in those areas under the last government.”
Another senior executive, Sæby Fisk-Industri’s Henrik Mikkelsen, went a step further, saying that “the Venstre government squandered any chance it had to hedge against the crisis”. Industry’s praise for the government was partially due to a growth plan that is expected to lessen the overall cost of doing business by ten billion kroner by the year 2020. The finance minister, Bjarne Corydon (Socialdemokraterne), welcomed the praise from the business community, but denied that the government is practising an economic policy more in line with the ‘blue’ values of the now-opposition parties. “Blue policies belong to the blue parties,” Corydon told Berlingske. “We have been able to pursue policies on our own terms that allow businesses to assess that we do more to promote competitiveness than the Venstre government did.” Venstre spokesperson Ellen Trane Nørby denied that her party did too little to promote competitiveness while in charge. She said that many of the current reforms and tax incentives could have been implemented much earlier if Socialdemokraterne and Socialistisk Folkeparti had not blocked their passage during Venstre’s reign. (RW)
Cover Story
The Copenhagen Post cphpost.dk
22 - 27 March 2013
Ending cannabis prohibition:
All photos: Peter Stanners
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Peter Stanners Copenhagen wants to see the production, sale and consumption of cannabis legalised, but conference reveals that many questions remain about the city’s plan
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Christian Holm, 24, does not think more people will start using cannabis if it is legalised because it is already so easy to get. “The country has probably reached a saturation point,” he says
Stop criminalising cannabis smokers, demonstrators say Peter Stanners
chosis may develop in people who are already predisposed to mental difficulties.” A small protest group gathered Holm is on the board of the outside City Hall, where a pro-cannabis association Propaconference was held on the city’s ganja, whose objective is to proambition to legalise marijuana mote legal cannabis and share information about the plant. His ’m not psychotic!” a young view is that the city should open man shouted from the back up the sale of cannabis to the free of City Hall’s banquet room, market, which would be allowed where around 150 people to produce, sell and consume had gathered to hear about the cannabis without fear of arrest. city’s plan to implement a trial “I really don’t think more legalisation of cannabis. people will end up smoking it if The man’s outburst arrived it were legal, because it’s so easily after a politician said she was con- available across the whole councerned that more people would try,” Holm said. “The country smoke cannabis and subsequent- has probably reached a saturaly suffer mental health problems tion point of users already.” if the trial were to go ahead. While a Outside on the demonstratown hall square, tion in supRådhuspladsen, the port of the man, 24-year-old city’s plan Christian Holm, had been arI don’t like the way told The Copenharanged, only gen Post that he was that cannabis smokers about 30 tired of listening to people were prejudices about are put under suspicion huddled in cannabis users. the cold un“I don’t like the way that der a bright midday sky, some cannabis smokers are auto- holding signs declaring ‘Free matically put under suspicion Marijuana’. simply because of their choice A group of young people sat of drug,” Holm said. “There in a circle rolling joints that they might be a link between canna- smoked in front of eager televibis and psychosis, but there are sion crews. different ways of looking at it. One of them was 17-yearFor example, people with men- old Samuel Pollas, an upper sectal problems may be drawn to ondary student who attended smoking marijuana, or the psy- to show support for changing
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the law. “It’s crazy that cannabis isn’t already legal,” Pollas told The Copenhagen Post. “I smoke it at least once a week, but I don’t like the fact that I’m supporting criminals. The plant itself is also really useful and has some good properties that we are missing out on because of the law.” Sitting nearby was 15-yearold Silke Poulsen, who was also eager to see the end of the criminal gangs that sell cannabis and operate out of the freetown Christiania. “If we legalised cannabis, the state would earn money and the pushers might end up leaving Christiania. It’s such a lovely place and it would be even better without them,” Poulsen said. Earlier in the day, Britta Lillesøe from Christiania Listen, a political party representing Christiania in the local elections, expressed a similar view. “[Legalising cannabis] will definitely benefit Christiania by reducing the level of crime,” Lillesøe told The Copenhagen Post. “Even though I don’t smoke it, I support legal cannabis because I think it has some benefits, and I don’t think people get dumber from smoking it. I have some really bright friends who have smoked for years and are just fine. What’s wrong is criminalising people. That needs to stop.”
he tide is turning against the criminalisation of cannabis. Portugal, the Netherlands and several US states have to varying degrees decriminalised its use, and now Copenhagen has decided to join the movement with a three-year trial to decriminalise the drug. But while city officials envisage Copenhagen undertaking the world’s most ambitious decriminalisation project – both the production and sale would be legalised – large questions remain about what shape the so-called ‘Copenhagen Model’ would actually take. Last week on Friday, around 200 attendees gathered in the City Hall’s banquet room to hear the City Council’s plan. “We would like to have fewer smokers, a lower incidence of cannabis psychosis and less crime,” the deputy mayor for social affairs, Mikkel Warming (Enhedslisten), told the audience. “But criminalising cannabis doesn’t work. It’s here to stay. Legalisation won’t be a miracle cure, but it will open up solutions to some of the problems that cannabis creates.” The conflict is this. On the one hand, the city wants to take the one billion kroner cannabis trade away from the gangs that currently run the market. But the fear is that legalisation could increase consumption. Given the documented connection between mental illness and cannabis use, more users could mean a higher rate of mental health problems in Copenhagen. So the question becomes whether it is possible to decriminalise cannabis while also minimising the number of people who use it. One of the primary goals of the trial is to take the cannabis trade out of the hands of criminals. This would require offering a competitive product at competitive prices from locations in the city that are as accessible as the illegal market. The city is exploring both external and domestic suppliers of the product, which would most likely be sold through an
Outside the conference, Samual Pollas (left) and Jannik Andersen, both 17,
established chain of stores, such as the city’s pharmacies. This would be easier to implement during a trial period, as having to construct new specialist outlets, or expecting the private sector to step, up would likely take much longer to get running. The city has not settled on a final model, however, nor has it established a concrete plan for preventing cannabis tourism and ensuring that vulnerable users get the help they need. Let the state control it There was plenty of advice to be heard from experts, however. Among them was Willy Pedersen, a professor of sociology at the University of Oslo. He argued that the best way to legalise cannabis, while also minimising its use, would be to establish state-run dispensaries similar to the Swedish and Norwegian alcohol monopolies. Pedersen argued that if it weren’t state controlled, the pri-
The prohibition of cannabis has not achieved its stated objectives because the demand is too strong vate sector would seek to use ‘cannabis culture’ to encourage more people to consume cannabis and boost its profits. “What we all want is a reduced consumption of cannabis,” Pedersen told The Copenhagen Post. “But the cannabis culture romanticises cannabis use and encourages people to consume it, while its privatised sale creates an incentive for businesses to sell as much of the product as possible.” But if pot were in the hands of the state, would crime really be reduced? This is one of the major goals of the trial as Copenhagen’s increase in gun crime has
Online this week New pope gets lukewarm reception from Danish leaders The development minister, Christian Friis Bach (Radikale), expressed disappointment in the Catholic Church’s decision to elect Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio as the new pope. Bach said the newly-named Pope Francis has a questionable record on the rights of women and gays. Pope Francis has called gay marriages
satanic and “a destructive attack on God’s plan”. “I had hoped we would get a more progressive pope,” Bach told Politiken newspaper. The equality and church minister, Manu Sareen (Radikale), agreed with his colleague and said he was “in complete disagreement with previous opinions expressed by this pope”.
Innocent family man victim of gang violence Police have not ruled out the possibility that the man hit by gunfire last week on Saturday night may be the latest victim of gang-related shootings in Copenhagen. “To our knowledge, the victim is a father who was shot while driving through the neighbourhood with two child seats in his car,” Kim Madsen of
the Copenhagen Vestegn Police told the tabloid Ekstra Bladet. The man told police that a van pulled up in front of him and someone jumped out and opened fire at his car, hitting him in the arm. The incident followed a rash of shootings in neighbourhoods around the city last week.
Police search for clues in bar stabbing Someone tried to kill a 32-year-old man at Nørrebro’s Café Runddelen early on Sunday morning. The man, who police described as being “a Danish man of Syrian background”, is in a critical condition at Rigshospitalet’s Trauma
Centre. “The man was stabbed 27 times,” the Copenhagen Police wrote in a statement. The police still do not know the motive behind the attack, which took place at around 4am on Sunday morning while the bar was crammed with guests.
Read these stories and more at cphpost.dk
Cover Story
The Copenhagen Post cphpost.dk
22 - 27 March 2013
The ‘Copenhagen Model’ takes shape
said that they thought it was “crazy” that cannabis wasn’t already legal
would find treatment if legalisation occurred. Dan Orbe from the council’s anonymous drug counselling organisation, U-Turn, argued that the city needed to recognise that it might need to set aside more funding for counselling and preventative programmes. Orbe also added that the city would probably have to completely overhaul its current strategy for preventing drug use among young people. Inside, many of the nearly 200 in attendance thought the same
been attributed to gangs fighting over a share in the highly lucrative illegal cannabis trade. Speaking to the conference, Kim Møller from the Centre for Alcohol and Drug Research at Aarhus University said that while crime may drop in the long-term after decriminalisation, in the short-term the gangs would simply move to fighting over other sources of income.
Mental health issues The connection between mental health problems and cannabis use is seen by many as the most troubling aspect of legalising cannabis. The city argues, however, that a legal network of cannabis outlets would provide new points of contact between social workers and at-risk users. Their hope is that more users
Laws and conventions Gearing the police and social services to deal with changes brought about by legal cannabis may not be the most pressing problem facing the city, however. Denmark is a signatory of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs that controls the production and sale of cannabis. Not wanting to break their commitment to the convention, the Netherlands’ novel solution was to make cannabis illegal but
not punishable under certain conditions. This non-enforcement policy makes consumption in coffee shops legal, even though the coffee shops still have to source their products from illegal sources. The Copenhagen Model will challenge the convention more directly, however, by decriminalising the possession and sale of cannabis. This approach more closely follows the strategy of the US state of Washington, where in November 2012, voters passed a law that legalised the possession and cultivation of cannabis. Seattle’s city attorney, Peter Holmes, explained that the initiative passed by promising voters that cannabis would be heavily taxed and regulated. Cannabis possession and cultivation in the United States is still highly illegal under federal law, however, meaning that the state of Washington – along with Colorado, which also passed legalisation in November – has placed itself in a tricky position with Washington DC. But Holmes argues that there is no option left except legalising cannabis. “The prohibition of cannabis has not achieved its stated objectives because the demand is too strong,” Holmes told The Copenhagen Post, adding that pressure from the US to maintain Draconian legislation on cannabis may be a reason why the Danish government has repeatedly turned down the city’s attempts to legalise the drug – most recently last year. But as more countries move to legalise the drug, Holmes argues that the US will have to accept that prohibition has not worked. “The world hasn’t ended [after cannabis was legalised]. What we are witnessing now is just the crack in the dyke, and more states will soon follow our lead with legalisation,” he said. “The genie is out of the bottle.” Holmes was careful to state that Copenhagen needed to find its own solution, however, and that what works in Seattle may not work in Copenhagen. “The conference has confirmed that we need to find our own plan for Copenhagen,” Mayor Frank Jensen (Socialdemokraterne) said in his closing statements. “We need to end a failed policy and take responsibility. City Hall now needs to take the lead.”
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Seattle’s city attorney, Pete Holmes, was a featured speaker at the conference and a sponsor of Washington’s cannabis reform initiative
Seattle downplays likelihood of supplying Copenhagen Justin Cremer City attorney’s office says Copenhagen’s suggestion to import cannabis from Colorado or Washington would be a breach of state laws
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Seattle city official has poured cold water on Copenhagen’s idea of importing cannabis from the US. One of the elements of the city’s proposal to legalise cannabis on a three-year trial basis, which was discussed at last week’s cannabis conference, is how to obtain cannabis as quickly and effectively as possible in order to combat the black market. One of the city’s proposals is to explore the possibility of importing cannabis from the US states of Washington and Colorado, which both legalised cannabis for recreational use in November. One of the key speakers at the conference was Seattle’s city attorney, Pete Holmes, who was a sponsor of Washington’s cannabis reform initiative, which voters passed by a margin of 56 to 44. Made aware of Copenhagen’s suggestion, the Seattle Times contacted Holmes’ office and was told by spokeswoman Kimberly Mills that Washington state law would prohibit exporting cannabis to Denmark. The city’s deputy mayor for social affairs, Mikkel Warming (Enhedslisten), acknowledged the difficulties of importing a substance that, while now legal in two of the 50 US states, is still a banned substance at the federal level. “We realise of course that there are a lot of international conventions and regulations to deal with, but we think it is possible,” Warming told The Copenhagen Post. He pointed out,
however, that Denmark is able to legally import heroin, despite it being an illegal substance, for use in municipal injection rooms. But with Holmes’ spokeswoman saying that the export of cannabis would be a breach of Washington state and federal law, the suggestion seems less feasible. Seattle-based media largely dismissed Copenhagen’s proposal, with the Seattle Times writing that sending pot to Denmark “seems likely to bring [the federal authorities] down on locals like a squatting hippopotamus”. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, in a blog posted entitled ‘Fail: Danish city wants to import marijuana from Washington, Colorado’, wrote that “this is just the kind of thing Washington and Colorado have vowed not to do … even if Copenhagen officials could figure out a way around the feds and international treaties and agreements.” The cannabis laws in Washington and Colorado remain in somewhat of a legal grey zone, as federal US officials have still not declared what the official reaction to the state laws will be. President Barack Obama in December said that “what we’re going to need to have is a conversation” on marijuana laws that now differ on the state and federal levels. Obama’s attorney general, Eric Holder, said last week before a Senate committee that his office is still “considering what the federal government’s response to those new statutes will be”. The importation of cannabis was just one method of acquirement suggested by Copenhagen officials in their bid to once again try to get cannabis legalised on a trial-basis in the city. The conference also explored the establishment of local cannabis producers.
Online this week Foreign minister pushes for historic weapons treaty
Employment minister accused of cooking benefits books
Arsonists terrorising Albertslund
Foreign Minister Villy Søvndal (Socialistisk Folkeparti), was in New York this week pushing for a globally-binding United Nations agreement on the international arms trade. Søvndal’s goal is to get the global community to better regulate the trade of conventional weapons so that they are not exported and used
The employment minister, Mette Frederiksen (Socialdemokraterne), is being accused of deliberately deceiving parliament during the debate about unemployment benefits. The government consistently claimed that between 7,000-12,000 residents would lose their dagpenge benefits when new legislation
The western Copenhagen suburb of Albertslund suffered its 99th arson attack in six months when the recentlyclosed youth centre Frihjulet was burned to the ground last week. The fire follows arson attacks on two containers and a shed in the
to violate human rights and commit war crimes. Søvndal said that while a treaty wouldn’t magically solve the issue completely, it would force countries that sign it to establish sanction and approve safer weapons exports. The UN has negotiated for nearly six years over a potential weapons treaty.
took effect in January of this year. However, Ekstra Bladet tabloid gained access to documents that suggest that Frederiksen knew as early as last December that the number of people falling out of the system would be much higher. Frederiksen defended herself by saying she wanted to be sure of the numbers.
past week, and it has police and the council under pressure to identify the culprits and bring the wave of fires to an end. The council has now asked residents for help in finding the culprits behind the blazes, saying that they have run out of ideas.
Read these stories and more at cphpost.dk
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News
The Copenhagen Post cphpost.dk
22 - 27 March 2013
Government accused of not playing fair in teacher negotiations Sigrid Neergard News programme reveals that councils and the government colluded on an education reform without including the nation’s teachers
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s part of the vaunted ‘Danish model’, disputes between employers and employees have traditionally been solved without meddling from the government. Revelations from public broadcaster DR’s TV programme ‘21 Søndag’, however, show that the central government and the local government association, Kommunernes Landsforening (KL), made plans for an education reform without including the nation’s teachers. The reform has become a central element of the ongoing negotiations between KL
Language centres would be affected by teacher lockout The teacher lockout that looks likely to take place on April 1 would also affect council-run language centres that provide Danish courses to foreigners. Privately-owned language centres would remain untouched by the conflict. If the lockout goes ahead, students at council-run language centres will be forced to cancel classes. Language centre CBSI is a council-run language centre and is therefore affected by the ongoing conflict between teachers and the local government association, Kommunernes Landsforening and teachers, which may result in teachers nationwide being locked out after the Easter break. 21 Søndag claims that when
(KL). But CBSI is not involved in the negotiations and can only wait and prepare for the possibility of a lockout. “Like everyone else, we hope that a solution is found so there will be no lockout, and if it does happen, we will take it from there,” said Stig Bo Hansen, a head of department at CBSI, which has almost 1,200 students and 49 teachers who would be affected by the lockout. According to KL, about 500 teachers at 17 councilrun Danish language centres nationwide would be affected (see list to right). the new government came to power in 2011, it was planning a new education reform that would be financed by changing
• Lærdansk Kolding • Høje-Taastrup Sprogcenter • Slagelse Sprogcenter • Vestegnens Sprog- og Kompetencecenter (Brøndby) • Sprogcentret Haderslev • Sprogcenter Randers • Sprogcentret Vejle • Guldborgsund Sprog- og Integrationscenter • Sprogcenter Skive • Sprogcenter Viborg • Sprogcenter Nordsjælland • Køge Sprogcenter • CBSI Sprogcenter • Sprogcenter Furesø • Sprogcenter Aalborg • Sprogcentret Holstebro • Sprogcenter Thisted teachers’ working hours. The government created a working group in December 2011 to make the plans for the
reform. This group held a secret meeting on 13 November 2012, which was attended by four members of the cabinet and high-ranking officials from KL. No summary of the meeting can be found. About a month after the meeting, the government stated its proposed education reform was to save them two billion kroner and would be financed mostly by changes in the working hours of teachers. This has led to accusations that the government had already lent its support to KL at the expense of the teachers. According to Anders Bondo Christensen, the head of the teachers’ union DLF, there has been a very close relationship between KL and the government. “The ideal is to finish with a result which everyone agrees with,” Christensen told 21 Søndag, adding that he felt that
the teachers have had no say in the negotiations. Both KL and the finance minister, Bjarne Corydon (Socialdemokraterne) deny that they have made any agreements. Far-left party Enhedslisten and right-wingers Dansk Folkeparti both criticised the government for letting the education reform affect the negotiations between KL and the teachers. The negotiations between KL and the teachers were scheduled to resume on the Friday after this publication went to press – the last day before schools adjourn for the Easter holiday. Anders Balle, the president of the school leaders’ association, Skolelederforeningen, said that a lockout on April 1 is very likely. “Parents should now prepare themselves as the schools could be closed after the Easter holiday,” Balle told JyllandsPosten newspaper.
Hasse Ferrold
Disabled residents locked in and possibly brutalised Ray Weaver
Government wants to know what was going on at Møllen
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Newly-minted Danes celebrate during April 2012’s citizenship ceremony
Delayed citizenship tests still not ready Christian Wenande The government says that the delayed test change is just a small element of an ongoing discussion concerning a new citizenship agreement
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he plan to scrap the heavily criticised citizenship test (indfødsretsprøven) and replace it with a more modern test (statsborgerskabsprøven) could very well be postponed a second time, despite the government’s own law catalogue stating that it should have occurred two months ago. The plan was to have swapped the tests by this June, but it now looks as if the next group of about 2,500 potential new Danes will face the old indfødsretsprøve after all when tested about their knowledge of
Denmark on June 7. Even if the plan is set in motion soon, Poul Neergaard, the head of language centre Københavns Sprogcenter, doubts that the new statsborgerskabsprøve will be ready in time for the next group of would-be citizens. “I find it very hard to believe that the new test will be ready for this summer,” Neergaard told Berlingske newspaper. “Time is required to print and distribute the new material and the applicants need time to study the new curriculum. If a new test means a new syllabus, we don’t think that it’s fair to have the test on such short notice.” The delay of a new test to replace the current citizenship exam, which is so difficult that even Danes have trouble passing it, was criticised by both sides of the political spectrum.
“It’s simply unreasonable that the government has erroneously promised so many people that the citizenship rules would be changed, including that meaningless indfødsretsprøve about everything from Struensee [a German doctor whose story was featured in the film ‘A Royal Affair’] to Olympic medals won by the women’s handball team,” Johanne Schmidt-Nielsen, a spokesperson for far-left party Enhedslisten, told Berlingske. Members of Liberal Alliance (LA) have also voiced their opinion, contending that the government is dragging its feet purposely, and even Dansk Folkeparti (DF), who are vehemently against changing the test, are wondering when the promised changes will occur. The Justice Ministry has revealed that the delay is due to continuous discussions about a
new citizenship agreement that includes a number of aspects other than the test change. “It’s a regrettable situation that we have been delayed with the test, especially because it is in high demand,” Karina Lorentzen Dehnhardt, a spokesperson for Socialistisk Folkeparti, told Berlingske. “We are working as fast as we can to realise the legal aspects, and we are disappointed that we are behind schedule. But I will say that the plans have in no way been shelved.” The last indfødsretsprøven test was held in December, when more than 2,500 applicants were tested on their knowledge of Danish history and society in the hope of gaining citizenship. The deadline to apply to take the next citizenship test is May 3.
he social and integration minister, Karen Hækkerup (Socialdemokraterne), is demanding an explanation regarding the illegal confinement and surveillance of severely disabled citizens living in the group residence Møllen just outside of Kalundborg. A report in December by the City Council investigative group Revas found that severely disabled residents, including an autistic woman who cannot speak, were placed in tiny rooms with locks on the outside. “For the residents whose needs are greatest, we find the physical environment, treatment and pedagogical approach are completely outdated, verging on the unacceptable,” the report stated. The report also mentions that along with confinement in small spaces, residents have been under unlawful video surveillance and were often referred to by their disease, rather than their names, by Møllen’s 19 employees, of whom only two are trained educators. Upon receiving the report, the City Council immediately cancelled its contracts with Møllen. Hækkerup and others want the council to explain why it has seemingly done nothing to prevent the abuse, even though it has been aware of it for at least five years. As far back as 2007, a former employee reported that force was used against the residents and that they were being video-monitored and confined in something called a ‘locked pause’. “I will ask for an explanation of who knew what was happening and what they have done,” Hæk-
kerup told Berlingske newspaper. “It seems as if there was not an adequate response to this case.” Møllen has been a home to some of the city’s disabled residents since 2002. Since 2007, the council has been repeatedly warned about the conditions there. It wasn’t until November 2012 of last year, when a resident’s family member contacted the council ombudsman to report suspected violence, that the council sent Revas in to take a serious look at the conditions at the residence. The sharp criticism that came back from the council’s oversight group last December caused the city’s social services department to terminate all contracts with Møllen. Both the city’s deputy mayor for social affairs, Mikkel Warming (Enhedslisten), and Vibeke Ries, the head of the city-run centre for the handicapped, Handicapcenter København, acknowledged that it was clearly an error that conditions at the residence had not been corrected much sooner. A city councillor, Birthe Skaarup (Dansk Folkeparti), said that there must be consequences for those in charge. “In the private sector, people are removed when things like this happen,” she told Berlingske. “I do not think those responsible have shown the insight that the job requires.” The head of Møllen, Claus Christensen, said that he was surprised that the council cancelled its contracts on such short notice because, according to him, the council was aware of Møllen’s methods. He added that he was “proud” of the work that he and his staff had done. “We do not work directly under the council’s instructions, and that is precisely why they use us,” he said. “We can do some things that they cannot.”
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OPINION
THE COPENHAGEN POST CPHPOST.DK
22 - 27 March 2013
Legal pot: worth a try The fight for democracy Copenhagen has already been given permission to experiment with hard drugs. Relaxing cannabis laws – at least on a trial basis – should be a no-brainer
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N A COUNTRY that regulates the sale of over-the-counter painkillers, you’d have thought that a reasonable way to decriminalise the sale of cannabis would have long since been rolled out, perfected and exported to other cities grappling with the same topic. Yet, to the annoyance of the city – and perhaps to the surprise of those more familiar with the country’s progressive reputation – cannabis remains on the wrong side of the law. Even though the arguments in favour of legal cannabis are well worn – less crime and higher tax revenue to name just two – it comes as no surprise that parliament has trouble lifting a ban on a substance traditionally lumped into the same group as heroin and cocaine, rather than alcohol and tobacco, where many proponents say it actually belongs. Yet, even if the government sticks to its position that cannabis should maintain its status as an illegal drug, the City Council has a precedent – and a successful track record – when it comes to taking a liberal attitude towards drugs. While clearly not condoning the use of heroin, the city, after two decades of lobbying the government, was finally able to approve the to opening of the country’s first safe injection room for addicts earlier this year. Long known as having one of the highest rates overdose among its addicts, the initial results of the injection room are clear: no deaths among IV drug users were reported in the first three months following the facility’s opening. During that period, nurses staffing the injection room prevented overdoses that, had they occurred on the street, would likely have resulted in death. Moreover, there has been a noticeable reduction in the number of used needles and bloody swabs of cotton left on people’s doorsteps, as fewer people now shoot up in public. In what is perhaps the clearest sign of the success of the injection room, the city is planning to open more, and cities in Denmark are looking to copy Copenhagen’s success. While it would be foolish to confuse hardcore heroin addicts with casual cannabis users, Copenhagen’s efforts to open its injection room and the initial success show that when it comes to local issues, cities know best. There is no guarantee that legalisation will be the clear-cut improvement that the injection rooms have been, and the experiences of cities that have adopted similar measures have been mixed. However, mindlessly repeating the same mistakes of drug control is guaranteed to fail. It’s time we take a different approach to cannabis. Like so many other things, you never know what will happen until you try.
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HAT’S THE best way to integrate foreigners? The answer to that question is different for each and every person who comes here, but it is my firm conviction that the path to successful integration goes through involvement, participation and equality. In reality, ‘inclusion’ might be a better word than ‘integration’. With that in mind, I’m left scratching my head by Dansk Folkeparti’s (DF) proposal to revoke foreigners’ right to vote in local elections. This is a party that fights against parallel societies, a party that encourages foreigners to adopt Danish values, and a party that sees itself as a bastion against anti-democratic forces. DF’s proposal is in diametric opposition to the principles the
party claims to stand for. The consequences of such a move could be the entrenchment of parallel societies, fewer immigrants adopting Danish values or taking part in the new society and, in the end, a weaker democracy. A parallel society is something that exists alongside mainstream society and all the values norms that it is made up of. If participatory democracy is the norm in mainstream society, and if DF instead of encouraging foreigners to take part in the democratic process, wants to strip them of their opportunity of doing so, then it is clear that they really want is to promote parallel societies. DF has always argued – and still does – that one of the most important things a foreigner can do is adopt Danish values. One could ask then, whether democracy – according to DF – is no longer a Danish value, since they want to make it as difficult as possible for foreigners to vote. Their proposal must either mean that DF either no longer sees democracy as a Danish value or that they don’t want foreigners to take part in the democratic process, one of the most basic pillars of Danish society. I don’t know what’s worse. It’s somewhat ironic that DF often accuses foreigners of being antidemocratic, yet the party itself would prevent them from vot-
ing. Something just doesn’t add up here. DF often beats its drum as an opponent of anti-democratic movements, but they are obviously not so interested in protecting democracy that they don’t see anything wrong with making it more difficult to vote, instead of using it actively as something that can encourage involvement, good citizenship and a sense of belonging. DF’s proposal shows what they really stand for. They are obviously not interested in breaking down parallel societies. They aren’t interested in encouraging foreigners to adopt Danish values. And they aren’t interested in protecting democracy and stamping out anti-democratic forces. If you think about it, their way of thinking is only logical. Imagine what it would be like if all foreigners in Denmark got involved in mainstream society. DF’s entire reason for being would disappear. DF’s proposal only makes it clear that they don’t want foreigners to integrate, for what would be the benefit of them doing so. Measures like starthjælp benefits, point systems, a rejection of all things ‘foreign’ – from halal meat to headscarves – and the constant rhetoric of condemnation and negativity towards foreigners are just a few of the
examples of how DF consciously seeks to undermine inclusion and to keep our ethnic minorities from becoming an active part of a Danish society that they feel at home in. Back to the question about how we can best integrate foreigners, the answer remains as varied as the foreigners who live here, but for myself and the other members of Radikale, the proposal put forward by DF is not a part of the equation. Radikale works for a Denmark that places a priority on equality, inclusion and respect, and we aren’t afraid to give foreigners the right to be a part of our society and our democracy. Instead of limiting their right to participate in the democratic process, we should expand it and ensure that more can take part, and that everyone can contribute. This is something the current government, of which Radikale is a member, has already done by shortening the length of time that foreigners need to have residence from four years to three before they can vote in local elections. This is in diametric opposition to DF’s position and, in our view, exactly the approach we require. The author is an MP for Radikale, and the party’s integration spokesperson.
READER COMMENTS
No need to worry about this. The other right-wing parties might not be the brightest bunch all the time, but they are not that stupid and ignorant towards fellow citizens. That is reserved for DF and their followers. Claus Andersen By Facebook
It is a three-year plan, and they’re exploring what the options might be. I don’t see how this is naive. Are they assuming everything will work out just fine and dandy? I don’t see that anywhere above. Within this month, the attorney general should make a statement with regard to the legalisation of marijuana in Colorado and Washington state. The nation, when polled, has consistently voiced opposition to federal interference in legalisation efforts in states that pass laws doing so. If Colorado and Washington are barred from trading with other nations, cities etc that legalise, there should be a backlash, because why the hell shouldn’t they be able to? Federal law dictates it as such now, but I can’t see them enforcing that law, or even maintaining it for all too much longer. The prohibition of marijuana is ending, and Denmark is probably ahead of the curve. Jacktee By website
Copenhagen looks to import cannabis from the US
Fareed helped in Afghanistan, but Denmark won’t help him
Wow, somebody just doesn’t get how countries with federal law (like the USA) work. Just because cannabis is legal in state X, it doesn’t mean cannabis can be exported internationally from state X. And even if a state has a convenient coastal port, there is the 12-mile federal zone off shore. With brainstorms like that, no wonder all the Danish applicants last year failed the EU civil service exam. SNCO By website
I will agree that the country has its own issues and problems to deal with; however, Afghanistan is not in compliances with any governmental agencies and therefore it is in violations with its own people and others. Currently, the country is still in turmoil and riddled with religious conflict and more. Any country should and could help anyone who wants the help just for humanitarian reasons and compassion. Nickolaus Hendel By website
Should foreigners be allowed to vote in ‘Hulabula-land’? All I ever hear from DF are vomitinducing, racist, bullshit remarks. I’m sick of them telling anyone that if they move here, they should ‘become Danish’. The idiots saying that would never move to another country, accept being told never to speak Danish, only speak the local language, start to behave just like one of them and forget where they came from. That’s what they keep expecting from foreigners, and I politely tell them to stick that request right up their arse. Shufflemoomim By website
World’s best restaurant makes people sick This unfortunate event reminds me that sometimes reputations continue by word of mouth amongst potenial customers – diners in this case – even as slackness or lack of hygiene creeps into its standards. The fall is usually quick and sometimes fatal for the business as its loyal supporters run for cover, feeling betrayed by its invisible backroom misbehaviour. If it admits its failures and reforms, it will eventually lure back its customers. But the result of food poisoning takes time to forgive. I know, I’ve had it. Gus31ebr By website Denmark a less attractive tourist destination In marketing, we use a philosophy that one satisfied customer attracts three more, and one dissatisfied customer eliminates ten potential customers. I think tourists do a lot of research before travelling and visiting any country, and when they see that foreigners have negative remarks about Denmark, they simply don’t come. The Swedish immigration board is very gentle and quick, but the Danish Immigration Service treats applicants like the visitors have asked for kontanthjælp. Maan By website One dead dog delivery later, ministry proposes pooch package In a lot of cases, it’s down to the wrong type of dog for the wrong type of person. Some kid buys a
rottweiler, for example, and uses it as a status symbol, dresses it up in more jewellery than a rapper, has no idea how to train it, doesn’t even bother to keep it under control, and when the dog shows signs of aggression, the poor animal is encouraged, because the kid thinks it looks cool. A list created by socalled experts needs to add some of the little dogs to the list. Many more people have been bitten by these dogs, but they are seldom reported because they cannot do much damage. I personally don’t like muzzles, but if one dog has to have them, then all dogs should have them. Just because an untrained dog is not on the list does not mean it won’t bite, and what happens if some untrained dog decides to attack your muzzled dog? Rugratzz By website The Balancing Act | Danes are frontrunners in gender equality Well said Sarita, these positive things need to be noted. And it isn’t just fathers out with their boys, playing football etc, it’s also fathers out with their little girls. We take it so much for granted here, but as you say, you’ll rarely see it on such public display in other countries in ordinary everyday life, down the supermarket, on the bus, going to and from daycare. Things are a long way from perfect – the burden of child-caring is still mostly on the shoulders of women, who also work, but still, things here are light years ahead of most other countries I’ve lived in or visited (including Western countries). Tickle_yer_fancy By website
OPINION
THE COPENHAGEN POST CPHPOST.DK
22 - 27 March 2013
An open letter to the Copenhagen Police
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Still Adjusting BY JUSTIN CREMER The CPH Post’s news editor, Justin Cremer, is an American who has lived full-time in Copenhagen since 2010. Asked often if he likes it here, his usual response is “It depends on the day.” Follow him at twitter.com/justincph
SUPPOSE you might be expecting a letter of congratulations, and in some ways you are right. You’ve had great success over the past couple of weeks in carrying out co-ordinated raids and crackdowns on organised crime. You’ve collected weapons – including a pair of machine guns – and ammunition, and you’ve arrested key members of feuding gangs. As a taxpayer, I approve of getting weapons off our streets and locking up those who are up to no good. I am, however, concerned about your methods. In your efforts to combat gang activity, you have instituted stop-andsearch ordinances in which you can stop anyone you like, probable cause or not, and subject them to searches and questioning. You assure us, of course, that this is for the public’s own good. You set dates for the stop-andsearch ordinances to expire, but each time they are about to run out, you extend them again. And again. At which point, do we acknowledge that certain areas of Copenhagen have become de facto police states?
While as a taxpayer I may be willing to begrudgingly accept questionable police actions when they result in the confiscation of guns and the like, what I absolutely do not accept is that my tax kroner fund police actions in which the biggest payout is the discovery of small amounts of a plant in residents’ pockets. I’m speaking, of course, of your decision to crack down on Christiania and its surrounding areas. There too, you have determined that you can stop and frisk anyone you like if you think they look like someone who might enjoy smoking a joint to relax. You would likely argue that your Task Force Pusher Street is combatting the same gangs as your raids. Both, you’d say, go to disrupt the gangs’ lucrative drug trade. And while you may have a point, your actions target the wrong end of the equation. Stopping small-time cannabis buyers does not punish the gangsters behind the cannabis trade. Rather, it slaps hefty fines and a criminal record on many everyday citizens. But, you’d say, these people have done something illegal by buying hash
and pot in Pusher Street. For now, you are technically right. But as the City Council’s cannabis conference showed last week, there is an increasing popular and political will to legalise cannabis. Will people’s records be cleaned if they are busted for something that is illegal one day and legal the next? You have a habit of announcing your ‘success’ with Task Force Pusher Street by telling the public how many people you have arrested and how many grams of hash and pot you have confiscated. However, it does not take X-ray glasses to see through the numbers. In February, you boasted that one out of every three people stopped outside of Christiania was arrested for the sale or possession of cannabis. And your figures showed that for nearly every 20 people busted for possession, only one was caught for dealing. That hardly seems to be hitting the gangs where it hurts. Most disturbingly, your numbers reveal that two out of every three people stopped were guilty of nothing more than walking down the street. It is you, and not I, that is the expert on Danish
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law, but surely that is not a crime. While some Copenhagen residents may be willing to be stopped and harassed if they think it will result in a decrease in crime, I and many others are not. I implore you to stop, if not for the city’s residents, then for what it will mean for the city’s image if you turn one of Denmark’s top tourist attractions into a frightening and intimidating police zone. As the weather starts to warm, tourists from all over the world will stream into Copenhagen, and whether you like it or not, one of the places they are almost certain to visit is Christiania. What message do you send to the world if you stop these visitors and make them empty their pockets? Your own mayor is against your tactics, and an increasing number of citizens are tired of their rights being violated. Don’t send tourists back to all corners of the globe with the message that the land of the Little Mermaid, Tivoli and, yes, the freetown of Christiania is also the land of rights violations and unwarranted police harassment.
Sisters! Burn your bra and break your Bic today!
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Crazier than Christmas BY VIVIENNE MCKEE Vivienne McKee, Denmark’s best-known English entertainer, is this country’s most beloved foreign import. Over the last 30 years, hundreds of thousands of Copenhageners have enjoyed her annual Crazy Christmas Cabaret show at Tivoli, marvelling at her unique, wry Anglo wit and charm.
N CELEBRATION of International Women’s Day, I decided to write something about feminism, sexual discrimination and misogyny. I picked up my pen and chewed the end nervously. Where to begin? How can I break the image of feminists as a bunch of humourless, self-righteous, boring lesbians who stomp around in Doc Martens drawing trousers on ladies’ toilet signs? Here in Denmark, the whole gender equality thing is a different kettle of fish. Danish women are beautiful, strong and liberated, both in the home and in the workplace, so much so that Danish men are often described as tøffelhelte (literally ‘slipper heroes’, meaning downtrodden). One could almost feel sorry for these Viking men, surrounded, as they are, by smart, multitasking women in top jobs. Here all three government parties have female leaders, the prime minister is a woman and there is a queen on the throne. The rest of the world can see it in the Danish TV series ‘Borgen’. The fictional prime minister, Birgitte Nyborg, wearing sexy, figure-hugging suits, and high-heeled shoes, strides confidently
around the corridors of power. She is ambitious, brilliant, beautiful, honest and genuine, and while she carves out a political career, she has an empathetic ‘soft man’ at home who looks after their kids and sacrifices his career to do so. While the other big Danish hit, ‘The Killing’, was successfully remade for American viewers, it’s hard to imagine that happening to ‘Borgen’. In fact, when they finished the series, the writer Adam Price was warned that the intricacies of Danish coalition politics, and particularly the heroine’s liberated family life, was not going to travel far. Even Norway and Sweden would only buy it out of politeness, he was told. But to everyone’s surprise, another series with the dreaded subtitles became a sensation. Both series highlight feminist issues, but are written by men. It’s a sobering fact that brings me back to chewing the end of my pen. Why do I, a female, have such difficulty when it comes to writing an article about feminism? Even the theme of Women’s Day 2013 should give plenty of food for thought: “Time for action to end vio-
lence against women.” UK statistics on this matter are horrendous. Two women a week are killed by a male partner. One in five men think that abuse or violence against women is acceptable. And then there are the cases of sexual abuse and ... but where should I start? I continued to ponder this while I surfed the net. Suddenly, my eyes fell upon an advertisement: “BIC FOR HER. BIC biro pen in a series of pastel shades designed to fit comfortably in a woman’s hand.” I looked at the pen I had been chewing. In all the years I’ve been writing, I have never once thought: “This pen feels uncomfortable in my hand and ... oh no! The colour is all wrong!” Then suddenly, I understood the cause of my writer’s block. I am using a MAN’S PEN! Surely I would find it so much easier to write about feminism if I had a pink or purple gender-designed BIC FOR HER? I pictured the three Brontë sisters at their house in Yorkshire writing their novels. Suddenly Charlotte throws down her pen in exasperation: “Oh dash it! I can’t seem to write ‘Wuthering Heights’ today. There is something wrong with Heathcliff.
What about you, Emily dear? “I have the same dilemma, dear sister − Jane Eyre seems to be so one dimensional. And you, Anne?” “It is true, my sisters. I cannot seem to write. Perhaps what we need is a pen made especially for women! If only someone would invent such a pen − preferably in a pastel shade, like pink or lavender − which would fit comfortably in our tiny lady-like hands, and then perchance we might become the most famous writing sisters in English literary history.” They all sigh. “It will never happen in our lifetime so we must soldier on using a man’s pen and hope for the best.” Perhaps this is a trivial matter compared to violence against women, but we should also not forget how products like these (and pink Lego for girls) create markets for things that women don’t need. It is casual misogyny. So I take up my big black plastic pen and write to you, my sisters: Stand up for social, political and economic rights for women and don’t believe that any of this makes you self-righteous, boring and frigid. Your husbands are to blame for that. BIC FOR HER cannot and will not be tolerated!
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10 News Cheaper beer – and more Swedes – on the horizon The Copenhagen Post cphpost.dk
22 - 27 March 2013
Scanpix / Jens Nørgaard Larsen
Christian Wenande Slashing beer and soft drink taxes would help Danish border towns flourish, politician argues
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s part of the negotiations over the government’s new growth plan, ‘Vækstplan DK’, opposition parties have demanded a cut in taxes on beer and soft drinks. Opposition party Konservative (K) is arguing for a halving of the current taxes in a move that they hope will help contain the rising number of Danes who travel to border shops in Germany in order to purchase beer and soda. K’s proposal was backed up by Socialistisk Folkeparti’s (SF) financial spokesperson, Jonas Dahl. “I don’t think that it takes many trips to southern Jutland to see that there are challenges involved with people buying huge amounts of beer and soft drinks at the border shops,” Dahl told Ritzau news service. “It is obvious that we need to see what we can do in order to create Danish
Swedes, who import 100 million litres of beer annually, are keeping a close eye on the beer and soda tax developments
jobs instead of German ones.” Today, Danes pay 97 øre of taxes every time they buy a bottle of beer, and 79 øre every time they buy a half litre of soft drink. The national association of grocers, De Samvirkende Købmænd, has been advocating a reduction in beer and soda taxes for a long time, pointing to the increased business that will come
from their Swedish neighbours. “That’s one of the positives gained by reducing the taxes on beer, and it will lead to flourishing Danish towns that Swedes use for their border shopping,” John Wagner, the CEO of De Samvirkende Købmænd, told Ritzau. “If we can halve the current tax, then I will be very pleased.” Wagner added that when
Swedes come to buy beer, there is a good chance that they will buy other items and dine at Danish restaurants. For their part, Swedish beer connoisseurs have a keen eye fixed on the beer-cost developments taking place in Denmark. According to industry organisation Breweries of Sweden, Swedes import 100 million litres of beer eve-
ry year – a staggering 25 percent of their total beer consumption. Cecilia Giertta, the managing director for Breweries of Sweden, thinks that cheaper Danish beers will have a significant effect on Swedish imports. “We already have a massive border business happening now,” Giertta told Expressen, a Swedish daily newspaper.
And there is good reason for the Swedish invasion when it comes to purchasing beer in Danish and German border shops. A litre of Tuborg beer costs 27 Danish kroner at the Swedish state-run alcohol monopoly, Systembolaget. But the same amount costs only 11 kroner in Denmark and just 8.5 kroner in German border shops. Furthermore, there are no limits to how much alcohol Swedes are allowed to take into Sweden from another EU country, as long as the alcohol is judged to be for personal use. In related news, the Environment Ministry has revealed that it is close to securing a deal with Germany that would mean that cans purchased in Germany would be approved for the Danish deposit refund (pant) system. “Four ministers before me have tried with the pant in Germany. I want to wait a bit until the final agreement with the Germans is in place, but we are on the case,” Ida Auken (SF), the environment minister, told Jyllands-Posten newspaper. According to Jyllands-Posten, an agreement could be in place within a year.
City Council claims Copenhagen does not have a problem with takeaway cup litter and calls the ‘Test Tubes’ unneeded
Sandra Høj
Jessica Hanley
Copenhagen Media Center
City deems anti-litter project unnecessary
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fter removing a set of specially designed tubes used to collect disposable paper cups last month, the City Council has deemed the project unnecessary, saying that Copenhagen does not have a problem with litter from paper cups. “The cleaning department’s evaluation is finally here, stating that the tubes on the bridge were used frequently, but according to the cleaning people, we don’t have a cup litter problem in Copenhagen,” organiser Sandra Høj wrote on the project’s Facebook page. Referred to as the ‘test tubes,’ the project consisted of a set of cylindrical bins that Høj, a Copenhagen resident and litter vigilante, designed to tackle the litter problem around Dronning Louise’s Bridge. The tubes were implemented for a trial period from May 2012 until September, and were eventually removed by the city last month. According to the evaluation, Høj explained, the City Council claimed that the tubes were time-consuming, difficult to empty and not helpful on the bridge. “Since we don’t have a cup litter problem in the urban setting, [the City Council said] they would suggest this idea for the park people at Park & Natur,” Høj wrote. “If they were to
Strøget is one of the city’s most beautiful spots ... to pee
Men can now urinate on Strøget ... legally They always did anyway, but now there is a place to do it without getting a fine
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Copenhagen: the city with absolutely no litter problem
agree to a test around the lakes, tubes were ugly, fragile and the cleaning department would would not last long,” she told be open to including some The Copenhagen Post. “He had rubbish cans on simply made up Dronning Louhis mind about ise’s Bridge.” them before they Høj, however, had even seen any was convinced action. Of course that the City Anyone with a pair the tubes proved Council had alwrong, outof working eyes can him ready dismissed lasting the schedthe project before tell that we have a uled end date and it began. surviving cup litter problem even “Only two winter. And the weeks into the ones they missed test, I was forwarded a mail are still around – looking cool, from someone in the chain working fine, not vandalised of command, stating that the and not falling apart.”
“They say they asked the ‘snappers’ [individual trash collectors who use handheld grabbers], who know the cup litter situation better than anyone, but I honestly don’t believe that,” Høj went on. “Anyone with a pair of working eyes can tell that we have a cup litter problem, and that the tubes worked.” Will the tubes ever help clean up the city again? Despite believing in the validity of the project, Høj isn’t so sure. “It won’t happen until we officially get that cup litter problem,” Høj said. “You know, the one we don’t have yet.”
hite plastic portable urinals resembling giant mutant lilies are Copenhagen’s latest weapon against men peeing in doorways, on benches, in corners and, well, pretty much everywhere else after a night of drinking. Last weekend, the City Council tested the mobile urinal on the street. The unit, nothing more than a large plastic funnel, can be placed just above a city sewer so that the urine is washed away, rather than left to mellow on a city bench for an unsuspecting tourist to plop down in on Sunday morning. “It’s something we developed for the Distortion music festival to create an easy, simple solution to an urban problem
that can be set up and taken down easily,” Claus Robl – who heads up the Center for Renhold, the part of the city’s Technical and Environmental Department responsible for the daily cleaning of the city’s public areas – told Politiken newspaper. “We did not get nearly as many complaints about people urinating on the walls of houses or on garden gates,” Robl said of the urinals’ success at Distortion. Last weekend’s test was intended to see if the urinals helped cut down on the offensive flow of a normal weekend. No word on how St Patrick’s Day falling last Sunday may have skewed the results. “These are not something that should be permanently standing in the streets,” said Robl. “They can be put up as needed, and we want to find out where it makes the most sense to put them.” (RW)
community
The Copenhagen Post cphpost.dk
22 - 27 March 2013
11
And St Patrick said: “Thou shall wear green” and so the Vikings did By Sigrid Neergaard
Sunday was the day many had been waiting for: the only day a year that people get to dress up as gnomes, wear all green, sing unintelligible folk songs and drink green beer. Yep peeps, we are talking about Paddy’s Day. And if this isn’t a good enough excuse to get drunk on a Sunday, then how does drinking for charity sound? That’s right, the 3-Legged Charity Race can proudly announce that they made a total of at least 57,000 kroner for charity. Michael and Lasse sure did their bit to help those in need
Though a few blue smurfs snuck into the party at The Dubliner, the majority of the people understood the idea of wearing and drinking green
The 3-Legged Race is organised by Irishwoman Siobhán Kelleher ...
... and her Scottish-looking brother John Kelleher, who sure knows how to bring Ireland to Copenhagen
Collin, John and Tina happily served the green party people all the beer their bellies could bear.
... though some people chose wisely not to drink, like Cecilie who came all the way from Norway to cheer on the dedicated runners
Some people even took it further and made it a 4-legged race. Wonder how that went? We definitely didn’t see these guys again ...
One third of the money raised at the event goes to hospital clowns in Denmark, and here one of them had run away from the hospital to spread joy at Axeltorv, where the race started
The siblings started early this year by adding some colour to Denmark’s Little Mermaid, which must have confused a fair few Chinese tourists. (Photo by Andy Kelly)
The sweet Kelleher kids Niamh, Aisling and Aidan were responsible enough to stay sober and celebrated instead by helping out at the charity event, painting people’s faces and selling hats and ...
... butts
The first bunch of people were sent off at 12:30 and there was no time wasted ...
Some people like Lasse and João definitely didn’t allow themselves any time to stop and chat, but had plenty of time after the race that they claim to have finished in 13 minutes, even though the winners finished in 15 minutes. Maybe a bit too much green Cille, Sarah, Linda Lise and little Lea, were in no rush to finish and drink their final beer beer for these gentlemen (hopefully someone was smart enough to drink Lea’s) after clocking 40 minutes
The real Paddy’s Day then started its celebrations when a whole heap of people lined up, eager to drink for charity
... or at least not for everyone – the couple calling themselves the drunk Mads Mads and Mads were happy to have a little drinking break when I stopped them
For Markus and Josefine, it was about just having fun, and they definitely weren’t counting on a prize after finishing more than an hour after starting
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COMMUNITY
THE COPENHAGEN POST CPHPOST.DK
22 - 27 March 2013
ABOUT TOWN PHOTOS BY HASSE FERROLD UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED
Chilean ambassador Juan Salazar Sparks and his wife were among the guests of Irish ambassador Brendan Scannell at his residence for an early celebration of St Patrick’s Day last week on Friday (left). And then two days later, English-language actor Ian Burns put on his best robes to play St Patrick in the annual parade through the streets of central Copenhagen (centre left). It was another joyous occasion (centre right & right). See page 11 for further coverage of the city’s celebrations
US Virgin Islands governor John de Jongh has just paid a one-week visit to Denmark, the country that used to own his islands (see page 13 for more details). Last week on Friday, he was at Rydhave, the official residence of the US ambassador. Pictured here (left-right) are De Jongh, Einar Dyrhauge, the head of the Danish American Business Forum, and US chargé d’affaires Stephen Christina
And then there were three. The grand final of ‘X Factor’ is approaching this Friday amid concerns the programme is dying on its feet after its most underwhelming series to date. The bookmakers are laughing though, after the favourite, Amanda, was knocked out last week on Friday. Ladbroke’s has now installed Chresten (right) as the new 10/11 favourite, boy band Wasteland are 2/1 and Karoline (shortest) is 7/2
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) last week on Thursday held a reception to mark the Year of the Snake at the Copenhagen Planetarium. Pictured here (leftright) are Erica Ng, the director general of the HKTDC, architect Bjarne Hammer, who gave a keynote address about projects in China, Chinese ambassador Li Ruiyu, Maersk Drilling chief executive Claus Hemmingsen, and HKTDC Europe’s head, Stephen Wong
INSPIRATION FROM THE SPIRE
Jonathan LLoyd is the Anglican/Episcopal priest in Denmark. You can find him on your way to the Little Mermaid at St Alban’s Church, Churchillparken. This may seem like a little piece of England complete with its distinctive spire and statue of Sir Winston, but it gathers people from across the globe plus hundreds of tourists each week. Jonathan has lived in Copenhagen for nearly four years and loves the place.
I Kofi Annan, the former secretary general of the UN, was on Tuesday the esteemed guest at the International Authors’ Stage at the Black Diamond where he spoke about his new book, ‘In War and Peace’, which has just been translated into Danish. Among those in attendance was Crown Princess Mary (centre)
Following on from their joint celebration in late January to mark the 50th anniversary of the Elysée Treaty, a conciliatory agreement between the nations in 1963 to draw a line under past differences, the French and the Germans held a more informal celebration: a jazz concert at Jazzhus Montmatre earlier this month. Pictured here are (left-right) Elena Andersen, Kornelia Bitzer-Zenner, Anne Susanne of the Fackler Goethe Institute, Anne Schmidt of the Institut Francais, Finn Andersen, the secretary general of the Danish Cultural Institute, and German ambassador Michael Zenner
T’S BEEN A big month for worldwide Christianity. We have had the inauguration of both a new pope and a new archbishop of Canterbury. Millions of people followed the elections via the TV broadcasts or internet coverage last week on Tuesday and the Thursday before. There was even a Danish bishop inside Canterbury Cathedral – all has been forgiven from 1,000 years ago when the Danes murdered Archbishop Alphege of Canterbury by beating him to death with ox bones after a drunken banquet! It is good that time moves on. There’s a wide contrast of technology used at the Vatican City. White smoke finally emerged from a small chimney, on which CNN, the BBC and numerous other broadcasters had their cameras focused on for hours, to signify the completion of the election. Then, within minutes of the announcement, Pope Francis opened a Twitter account. All week the Roman Catholic tweeps have been debating whether he has adopted the name Francis in honour of St Francis of Assisi or St Francis Xavier
– two distinct but different saints. As told by his bishop: “There is no place he only had about five minutes to de- for you in the Church of England.” cide between the white smoke appear- Archbishop Welby has been actively ing and putting on the white cassock, involved in the work of reconciliation he may not know himself. But the way and peacemaking, especially in West he rejected the jewel-studded pontifi- Africa and through his work at Covencal cross in favour of his own simple try and Liverpool. He has already demwooden pectoral cross, and then got onstrated that he means business. As a in the coach with the cardinals rather member of the UK parliamentary comthan using the black limousine, makes mittee looking at banking ethics, he has me reckon it might be directly challenged the Assisi. He has a touch big boys, using techniof humour as well as cal language they canhumility. He is reported not evade. to have said to his car- May God forgive you We are entering dinals after his election: for what you have Holy Week – the most “May God forgive you special time of the year for what you have done done to me for Christians everyto me!” Keep it up Pope where. And we do so Francis! in the hope that these two men – with I met Justin Welby, the new arch- enormous and burdensome responbishop of Canterbury, a few months sibilities – will have the strength and ago half way across Westminster Bridge, courage to do what Jesus would do: to and we had a brief chat. He used to live proclaim the good news of Easter with in Paris and was a member of our An- its liberating transformative power. glican church there. He worked for ten And in doing so, comfort the disturbed years in the oil industry, and when he and to disturb the comfortable. offered himself for ordination, he was Happy Easter to you!
COMMUNITY
THE COPENHAGEN POST CPHPOST.DK
22 - 27 March 2013
13
Honouring the life it had before it became virgin territory The governor of the US Virgin Islands pays his first visit to Copenhagen to strengthen ties between the territories that have “really withstood the test of time”
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OHN DE Jongh, the governor of the US Virgin Islands, which Denmark sold to the US in 1917, touched down in Copenhagen last week for a seven-day visit, marking the first trip to the country by a governor of the islands in over a decade. De Jongh held a series of meetings throughout the week that sought to improve the existing ties between Denmark and the islands and set the stage for future relations between the two. “It’s been a very successful visit,” De Jongh told The Copenhagen Post. “For the multiple purposes of the trip – business development, tourism, and laying the groundwork for the next few years of projects – we’ve had some very meaningful discussions and accomplished a great deal.” As this was his first trip to the city, De Jongh said he found many aspects of Danish culture
that would be valuable in the islands – from energy conservation efforts to lifestyle changes. “We were always told to look to Denmark as an example for wind, solar and other renewable energy forms,” he said. “So I knew I would be impressed by that during the visit, but what really surprised me was the bicycle culture. I’ve always heard there were a lot, but the sheer volume amazed me.” But practical issues aside, De Jongh said he found it equally important to preserve and strengthen the unique historical relationship between Denmark and the Virgin Islands. During
It’s essential that we continue to educate both Americans and Danes about the connection between our two homes the visit, he began preparations for the upcoming Transfer Day celebration in 2017, which will mark the 100th anniversary of
FLICKR/USDAGOV
JESSICA HANLEY
As far as John De Jongh is concerned, the territory has a lot in common with its former owner
the date Denmark sold the islands to the United States on 31 March 1917. He said he hoped that both the island territory and Denmark will acknowledge and emphasise the significance of the anniversary as the date approaches. “I’m hoping to build up to the anniversary of the transfer
with a series of events, forums and educational activities in both locations,” De Jongh said. “So one of the things I’ve been trying to do is establish strong relationships while I’ve been here. It’s important to make sure that we have representation from both Denmark and the islands.”
Sunrise’s budding Shakespeares
Organisation and leadership across cultures Folksuniversitet course, Njalsgade 12-148, Cph S; April 20 & 21, 10:15-16:00; tickets: 616kr; www.fukbh.dk Join lecturer Syed Salman Ahmad from Copenhagen Business School as he discusses issues of organisational and occupational cultures and cultural intelligence, in this two-day course. The heart of Buddhism: a weekend with Noah Levine Phendeling, Nørregade 7B, Cph K; Sat March 23, 10:0017:00 & Sun March 24, 10:0016:00; tickets: 1900kr; contact kontakt@mindfulground.dk; mindfulground.dk/mindfulnessretreats/noah-levine-copenhagen This weekend of meditation and reflection, led by Noah Levine, suitable for beginners and the advanced and it’s in English.
Experiencing History in Copenhagen Danske Bank Headquarters, Holmens Kanal 2, Cph K; Thu April 4, 17:15-19:15; free adm; register at europeanpwn.net/copenhagen The European Professional Women’s Network will host a personal guided tour through the neo-classical interior of Danske Bank’s headquarters. Monthly Cocktail Meetup Lidkoeb, Vesterbrogade 72B, Cph V; Tue Marcg 26, 17:30-23:30; free adm; www.meetup.com/TheCopenhagen-SOSO-MonthlyCocktail-Social-Club-MeetupGrp/events/108856552 Once a pharmacy lab, Vesterbro’s Lidkoeb bar now offers cough medicine in a different (much tastier) form. Copenhagen’s resident cocktail lovers group, SoSo (Sophisticated Social), will hold their monthly meet-up at Lidkoeb on Tuesday. Complimentary cocktails upon arrival are available between 17:30 and 19:00. Curry Night at India Palace India Palace, HC Andersens Boulevard, Cph V; Sat April 13, starting at 19:00; buffet price: 135kr; sign up at www.meetup. com/brit-250/events/106700112 by April 2; www.indiapalace.dk Join the British Expats Meetup Group for an evening of curry and conversation. India Palace offers a large dinner buffet. Please note the RSVP deadline for the event to allow for table reservations.
Intimate Migrations: Marriage, Sex Work & Kinship in Transnational Migration Danish Institute for International Studies, Strandgade 71, Cph K; Fri April 5, 09:0012:30; free adm; register by Thu April 4 12:00 at www.diis.dk/ sw127489.asp How does migration and mobility affect sexual and emotional intimacy? This seminar will address how intimacies influence transnational migration (and vice versa), and will also address issues like sex work migration, queer migration and sex tourism. Coffee and a free sandwich lunch will be provided for participants. Bicycle Course Hellig Kors Kirke, Kapelvej 38, Cph N; every Sat, 10:00-12:00 & 11:00-13:00; free adm; 4196 1119 or email cykelkurses_nor@ rodekors.dk For any non-native, the thought of navigating the city streets and cycling lanes on a bike can be more than a little daunting. That’s why the Danish Red Cross has launched a free bicycle course in inner Nørrebro. Join the group and you’ll learn all you need to know to handle cycling in Copenhagen like a pro! Simply show up behind Hellig Kors Kirke – bikes and helmets are provided for everyone.
Job searching and competencies: First Job Workshop International House, Gylenløvesgade 11, Cph V; Thu April 4, 17:00-19:30; free adm; register at copenhagencareerprogram. eventbrite.com; www.forstejob.dk Are you an international degree student pursuing a career in Denmark, confused about how to find your first post-university job? Niels Bertelsen, the project coordinator of First Job in Denmark, is here to tell you how! This seminar will help international job-seekers gain insight into the Danish labour market and how to land that highlycoveted first position. Participation is free, but sign-up is necessary and only includes international full degree students. Only 40 places are available. Tax Seminar Expat in Denmark event, location TBA; Wed April 3, starting at 16:00; www.expatindenmark. com/events Do you find yourself baffled by the Danish tax system? Get your questions answered by the group that knows best at this seminar hosted by Expat in Denmark. Tax authorities Skat will give a general introduction, followed by a Q&A session from tax advisers and a small group or one-to-one sessions if needed. More details to follow.
JESSICA HANLEY
SUNRISE INTERNATIONAL PRESCHOOL
COMING UP SOON Lunch with Stine Bosse British Chamber of Commerce luncheon; Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Hammerichsgade 1, Cph K; Fri March 22, 11:45-13:00; free adm for members, 400kr non-members; register at www. bccd.dk/en At this BCCD lunch, businesswoman Stine Bosse will discuss her book ‘Det handler om at turde’ (it’s about daring) and her approach to no-nonsense communication and societal engagement. The event will include welcome drinks and a buffet lunch.
De Jongh met with the Danish National Archives, the National Museum of Denmark and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to continue plans to digitalise aspects of Denmark’s archives that pertain to the US Virgin Islands. “A lot of our historical records are here in Denmark, and we want to preserve them. We
don’t necessarily want to move the physical archives back to the Virgin Islands, but we want to provide access to them in the islands as well,” he explained. De Jongh hopes to preserve this historical tie in the future as well, by providing university internships for students from Denmark and the islands, as well as exchanges for artists, farmers and tourists. “It’s essential that we continue to educate both Americans and Danes about the connection between our homes,” he went on. “There’s a longstanding tie between our two homes that many people don’t even realise.” But the relationship between the two areas is far more than historical, De Jongh pointed out. “I’ve noticed from Danish headlines that Denmark and the islands have a lot of the same issues going on currently,” he said. “Issues like the construction taking place in the city centre and how that affects businesses, education reform, dealing with gang activity – the Virgin Islands are facing similar issues.” “There are a lot of similarities between the two places,” he concluded. “You could say the links between us have really withstood the test of time.”
Underneath one of these masks is the next Mozart
BEN HAMILTON How the kids at a Hellerup international preschool have penned their own play
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HERE’S a scene in ‘The Office’ in which Dawn the secretary, reflecting on the failures in her life that have led her to Wernham Hogg, muses about a kindergarten friend of hers who now owns an internet auction website, makes a fortune and is happily married to a marine biologist: “She used to eat chalk!” It’s a reminder that the strangest kids often go on to excel, and that as parents, we needn’t worry if our six-year-olds are exhibiting the characteristics of a young Hannibal Lecter or, even worse, Donald Trump. In contrast, however, some young children are disarmingly intelligent, almost scarily so. Society labels them prodigies, presumably with a view to keep on referring to them as such years later, reminding them that it was all downhill from the age of seven. By writing and performing in their own play, the children at
Sunrise International Preschool in Hellerup are walking dangerously close to the line. The little Mozarts and Michael Jacksons, aged two to six, on February 22 presented the worldwide premiere of their theatre show, ‘The Magical Mountain, the Fairy Witch and the Forest Animals’, to an enthralled audience at the school. They even made the props: beautifully decorated handheld puppets made from old socks, and their performance made those gathered laugh, cry and lose themselves in the moment. Sure, there were a few forgotten lines and moments of stage fright, and one of the school’s teachers, Alexandra Gunnlaugsdottir, composed the music, but it just goes to show that among the chalk eaters are children capable of chalking up truly magical theatre. From the arts to art! The children at Sunrise International Preschool (Norgesmindevej 32, Hellerup) are putting on their own art exhibition on April 5 from 2pm until 4pm. The opening will include a cello performance. Find out more at www.sunrisepreschool.dk.
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SPORTS
THE COPENHAGEN POST CPHPOST.DK
22 - 27 March 2013
F3 EUROSERIES
Chasing World Cup dreams now they have a league of their own
BEN HAMILTON
Following the opening game, there will be five more games on consecutive Saturdays (April 6-May 4) as each side plays one another twice, home and away. Copenhagen’s home games are at Gladsaxe Stadion on April 13 and 20. Meanwhile, a warm-up nines tournament is taking place at Gothenburg’s Kungsbacka RC on Saturday. While Sweden are currently the bottom-ranked nation in the world (28 to Denmark’s 27, although a further 12 countries are unranked), both countries are optimistic that the league will help them climb the rankings. And if it continues to grow – with a team representing Stockholm and the inclusion of the Jutland outfit, which Copenhagen will lock horns with over a three-match series later in the year – there is no reason why they won’t be in contention to qualify for the World Cup in 2021, which following an expansion for this year’s tournament (taking place in the British Isles from 26 October-30 November) will include at least 14 nations. “As these clubs emerge in Denmark, there will be more comprehensive training and experience for everyone involved and we will roll out our youth development strategy,” said Steve Davy, the president of the
Dansk Rugby League Forbund. “Our destination is the Rugby League World Cup in 2021, and I look forward to sending a very strong team.” Denmark have already come a long way since their first international in 2009, and in 2011 they won the first ever Nordic Cup, beating both Norway and Sweden, although last year, the Norwegians, who have a wellestablished domestic league, underlined their regional authority by taking the title. “The first year was unbelievable!” the Copenhagen RLFK captain Eugene Hanrahan recalled about 2011. “We defeated Sweden in Gothenburg and then stunned mighty Norway on home soil at Gladsaxe stadium, becoming the Nordic Cup champions during our inaugural year!” Hanrahan, who played amateur league for Irish side Limericks Treaty City Titans, had presumed his playing days were over, but then he met national coach Nigel Kitching in 2010. It has instilled in him an ambition: to prosper with Copenhagen RLFK and to help establish the sport. “Obviously Copenhagen is aiming to win the league, as will the rest of the clubs,” he said. “For me I would just like to see the game grow in Denmark and to keep attracting new
players to the toughest and best game in the world.” The club is keen to recruit Danes. “While we’ve attracted players based in Copenhagen from all over the world, we’re committed to recruiting local Danes as well as international players,” revealed Murray Power, the Australian chairman of the club. “Many native Danes take to the game with great passion. This is important to ensure a healthy future for the club and rugby league in Denmark.” And the Swedes are also looking ahead with confidence. “With three clubs who are all fully focused on rugby league, this will surely help regenerate rugby league interest in the north,” predicted Swedish Rugby League president Scott Edwards. Coaching the Scania team is Rob Leishman, a Scot with over 25 years’ experience as a player and coach in three different countries, including New Zealand. “It’s great to see everyone from each of the clubs and countries pulling together, sharing ideas and trying to accommodate each other,” he enthused. “It’s great to see the sport growing, with many new players. It is fun to help introduce a new sport.” Looking ahead to the coming season, Hanrahan is confi-
Second best belle at Indian Wells
Egypt over Denmark
CAROLINE Wozniacki reached the Indian Wells final last weekend – her third in four years – where she lost 2-6, 2-6 to Maria Sharapova. The 2011 champ hit just one winner to the Russian’s 17 in the first set – a narrative that continued in the second. Her third straight loss to Sharapova continues a run that has seen her fail to beat a top-five player since May 2011. Her performance, which includ-
FORMER FC Copenhagen player Amir Adel, 18, a playmaker at Dutch outfit PSV Eindhoven, who is better known as Alexander Jacobsen in both countries, has opted to play international football for Egypt. “I was offered spots in the Danish and the Dutch national teams earlier, but I preferred to play with Egypt,” he told Al-Ahram Al-Reyady.
On March 30, sides from Copenhagen and Scania will contest the first ever game of a new pan-Scandinavian rugby league tournament
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CANIA, Copenhagen, Gothenburg. One day, they will be regarded as this region’s rugby league pilgrim fathers. Or at least that’s the aim of the founders of the sport’s first ever pan-Scandinavian tournament, which is due to start on Saturday March 30, when the city’s newly inaugurated side, Copenhagen RLFK, cross the Øresund to take on their Swedish neighbours in Malmø. Copenhagen will be out for revenge after losing 18-30 to a Sweden Barbarians side back in October, a game that bodes well for the competitiveness of the coming season. Back in April, the Danish national side had thrashed Sweden 122-8, but it would appear that since then, the Swedes have successfully recruited several experienced rugby union expats based in the region. In total, the Barbarians fielded 13 different nationalities and eleven current or former internationals, boasting 35 caps between them
Eugene Hanrahan (top) and Murray Power (above) are hellbent on success
dent that Copenhagen have a few aces up their sleeves: “Robert King is a strong running forward who always looks for the offload and loves to hear that ‘crunch’ in the tackle – the Maltese voted him the best player on the Danish side after their last international. Silas Mubanda is a proven try-scorer and can make things happen from nothing; keep your eyes on him otherwise you will miss the magic! And Ungureanu Andrei, a former Denmark rugby union youth international, is another young player who has his first taste of league and is hooked. He is great with the ball in hand and has a great defensive ethic − maybe one for the national team.”
Edwards, though, is more cagey about the Swedish sides’ hopes. “With this being the inaugural year, we don’t know much about each other on the field,” he said. “Therefore it’s difficult to comment on the strengths of our opponents or indeed predict how we will attempt to play against them. Apart from two players, our boys are all newcomers to the sport and we hope to raise the profile of rugby league in our town.”
Back with a vengeance
Dedicated to Dad
Il Biondo not so buono
BADMINTON mixed doubles pairing Joachim Fischer and Christinna Pedersen last weekend brushed off the disappointment of being knocked out in the first round of the recent AllEngland championship by unseeded opponents by winning the Swiss Open – their second title of 2013. They beat China’s Zhang Nan and Tang Jinhua 22-20, 21-19 to take the grand prix title.
AN EMOTIONAL Tom Kristensen dedicated his team’s second-place finish in the 12 Hours of Sebring race over the weekend to the memory of his father who died earlier this month. The seven-time Le Mans winner, racing for Audi, clocked the fastest lap of the event, but in the end a 60-second penalty saw his team finish eight seconds shy of Audi’s other team.
FORMER PRO road cyclist Rolf Sørensen has admitted to doping. The 47-year-old, who retired in 2000 after 53 victories in 17 seasons, nearly won the UCI Road World Cup on three occasions and wore yellow for four days at the 1991 Tour de France. He is now a cycling commentator and agent and lives in Italy, where he is better known as Il Biondo due to the colour of his hair.
Find out more about København RLFK via www.facebook.com/CopenhagenRlfc or www.crlfc.dk, or simply drop in for a drink at the Black Swan on Borgergade, the club’s main sponsor.
SPORTS NEWS IN BRIEF
ed a walkover against an injured Victoria Azarenka in the quarter-finals, and a gutsy comeback from 2-6, 0-2 down against world number six Angelique Kerber in the semis, netted her 560 ranking points – enough to lift her a place to ninth in the world rankings. Next up for Woz is the Miami Masters where she will be defending the 450 points she earned making the semi-finals last year.
Business
The Copenhagen Post cphpost.dk
22 - 27 March 2013
15
Banks told to pay up Finansiel Stabilitet is suing officials from six banks for 2.8 billion kroner for mismanagement during the financial crisis:
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he state’s financial oversight authority, Finansiel Stabilitet, has unveiled details of its planned legal action against 50 former directors, credit managers and auditors of six banks that failed during the financial crisis. The government is demanding that those charged with mismanagement pay back nearly three billion kroner to the state. “We believe we can win these cases,” Henrik BjerreNielsen from Finansiel Stabilitet told DR News. “It is important to prevent these kinds of things from happening in the future.” The list of banks under fire includes both the Danish and the Faroese branches of Eik Bank, Capinordic, Roskilde Bank, Løkken Sparekasse and EBH Bank. The list is expected to grow within a few weeks when charges are levied against top officials at Amagerbanken. The first case will hit the courts in autumn when three former top officials of Capinordic, which went bankrupt in the autumn of 2010, will be summoned to answer the state’s charges.
Capinordic – three people sued for a total of 400m kr
Scanpix / Liselotte Sabroe
Former top officials of six failed banks could pay as much as three billion kroner
Travellers to get new direct flight options out of Copenhagen, although industry expert warns that people better book early if they want a good price
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State auditor Henrik BjerreNielsen to bankers: You will be held accountable
EBH Bank – 17 people sued for 700m kr
Eik Bank, Denmark – five people sued for 250m kr Eik Bank, Faroe Islands – seven people sued for 150m kr Løkken Sparekasse – seven people sued for 275m kroner Roskilde Bank – eleven people sued for one billion kroner During the trials, the state’s lawyers will accuse the banks’ officials of actions – or lack thereof – that directly contributed to billions of kroner disappearing from the banks’ coffers from one day to the next. Lawyers for Finansiel Stabilitet said that the crimes committed by the bankers are relatively consistent throughout the cases. Among them are excessive and risky lending to property speculators, shoddy work when granting multi-billion kroner loans, mismanagement of large
creditors and, in the most extreme cases, giving new loans to already bad creditors so they could use that money to repay delinquent loans. By far the largest claim is directed against eleven former top officials of Roskilde Bank, which together are being sued for one billion kroner. Those accused include the bank’s officers, directors and auditors. The final number of defendants and amount of money at stake could change as the case develops. (RW)
Government committee identifies Danske Bank, Nordea, Nykredit, Jyske Bank, Sydbank and BRFkredit as systematically important financial institutions
A
government committee has identified Denmark’s six most important financial institutions and recommended them for additional oversight and regulation. The six banks are Danske Bank, Nordea, Nykredit, Jyske Bank, Sydbank and BRFkredit The list of systematically important financial institutions, or SIFI, was handed to the growth and business minister, Annette Vilhelmsen (Socialistisk Folkeparti), who wrote in a press release that the government would take the recommendations under consideration.
“The government broadly backs the committee’s findings,” Vilhelmsen wrote. “A strengthened regulation of the SIFI is essential in order to minimise the risk of future financial crises. These institutions are so large that they can affect the whole financial system and economy if they end up in trouble.” The committee recommended that SIFIs be subject to extra safeguards, such as increased demands for capital and liquidity, demands for good leadership, crisis plans and increased oversight. The committee also recommended that new tools be developed to tackle SIFIs that end up in trouble in order to minimise the damage. Vilhelmsen added that the increased regulation of SIFIs was in line with new banking regulations recently agreed upon by
Scanpix / Thomas Lekfeldt
Too big to fail: Nation’s six most important banks are identified
Danske Bank one of the ‘big ones’
European finance ministers. The committee’s report will now be sent for public consultation, adhering to a deadline of April 19. The committee was composed of members of Nationalbanken, the Business and Growth Ministry, the Finance Ministry, the financial oversight agency, Finanstilsynet, and independent experts. (PS)
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ow-cost airline Norwegian has revealed plans to open up long-distance flights to three new destinations from Copenhagen Airport within the next year. From November, the airline will launch direct flights to Ft Lauderdale, Florida in the US for 3,000 kroner, and from February 2014, the airline will begin flying direct routes to New York and Bangkok. The news is the latest attempt by Norwegian to challenge the SAS-dominated air superiority in Scandinavia – something that Norwegian’s CEO, Bjørn Kjos, believes will only aid an industry that has seen its share of struggles in recent years. “Competition is healthy for the industry, and that is something that the customers will benefit from,” Kjos told Politiken newspaper. “The longdistance flight market has been dominated for too long by high prices and little flexibility.” A quick price check on Norwegian’s website yielded a ticket price to Ft Lauderdale for as low as 2,768 kroner in December. According to Politiken, tickets to Florida at that time of year are
Norwegian’s new route to Ft Lauderdale could cost as little as 3,000kr
usually around 4,500 kroner, and that is with one or more layovers. Norwegian expects to receive six new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aeroplanes during the course of 2013, which it plans to use on the new routes. Although Boeing recently had to ground the 787 due to battery problems, according to Associated Press, the company expects to have them back in use “within weeks”. “The first planes have already been completed, but we still need to complete the test flights,” Kjos said. Ole Kirchert Christensen, who runs an airline industry
news site, said that Norwegian’s announced prices were very reasonable, but warned that there was a small hitch. “It is a good offer, to be sure, but you have to remember that the price is a ‘from’ price, so not all the seats on the plane are sold at that price,” Christensen told Politiken. “There may be only 20 out of the 292 seats sold at that price. So people should expect to pay more unless they are fortunate to be among the first to order.” Some 3.24 million passengers flew from Copenhagen Airport using Norwegian last year. (CW)
BRITISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN DENMARK
It’s about daring... Stine Bosse, has a Master of Law from the University of Copenhagen and before being appointed to Group CEO of TrygVesta A/S in 2001, she held various positions in Tryg which provided her with a unique, thorough and hands-on understanding of the day-to-day operations. She is widely known in the public for her direct and no-nonsense communication and is enthusiastically engaged in the societal debate for a better and safer world. She is a role model for many aspiring young people as the highest ranking female CEO in Denmark and was appointed the 22nd most influential business woman in the world in 2009 and 2010 by the Financial Times. Stine Bosse serves as chairman of Flügger Denmark, The Royal Danish Theatre, CONCITO, Børnefonden, and Copenhagen Art Festival. She is Danish member of ChildFund Alliance, and sits on the board of among others Nordea Bank A/S, TDC, Allianz and Aker ASA. Additionally, Stine Bosse is the former chairman of the supervisory board of the Danish Insurance Association (Forsikring & Pension), and former board member of Grundfos and Amlin plc. In the Spring 2010, Stine Bosse was appointed Advocate for the Millenium Development Goals by the UN Secretary General, Ban Kimoon, to fight world hunger and poverty. Stine will talk about the essence of her book “Det handler om at turde”. Programme: 11.45: Registration and welcome drinks 12.00: Welcome and introduction by Mariano A. Davies, President, BCCD 12.10: Guest speaker - Stine Bosse 12.40: Questions and discussion 12.55: Announcements by Penny Schmith, Executive Director, BCCD 13.00: Buffet lunch and networking
Date: Friday, 22 March 2013 Venue: Conference Suite on 1st floor Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Hammerichsgade 1 Copenhagen K
Non-members are very welcome. Please contact BCCD or go to www.bccd.dk for further information.
Price in kroner for one unit of foreign currency
Scanpix / Preben Madsen
Government wants compensation Norwegian reveals new overseas flights from bosses behind bank failures
If you would like to attend then please send us an email (event@bccd.dk) or call +45 31 18 75 58
Date: 20 March 2013
• official media partner Denmark’s only English-language newspaper
16
THEEMPLOYMENT COPENHAGEN POST THE COPENHAGEN POST CPHPOST.DK SPOUSE EMPLOYMENT PAGE
SPOUSE: Zsofia Gazdag FROM: Hungary SEEKING WORK IN: Greater Copenhagen QUALIFICATION: MSc in Veterinary Medicine(DVM), dansk dyrlæge autorisation EXPERIENCE: 2 years of practicing veterinarian, 2 years of customer service at DHL, experience as assistant to VP at HBO. LOOKING FOR: Full-time or part-time job. Any kind of job in a friendly environment, from flowershop to medical companies, simpler to more complex jobs, anything might be interesting. Veterinary jobs. LANGUAGE SKILLS: Fluent in: English, Swedish and Hungarian. Beginner in Danish, learning currently, good in understanding of written Danish. IT EXPERIENCE: Good skills with windows and office programs. CONTACT: zsofia.gazdag@gmail.com, Tel: 31731723 SPOUSE: Dr Tessa Kate Anderson FROM: UK SEEKING WORK IN: University, education, research, social science, geography, GIS, spatial analysis, urban geography. EXPERIENCE: PhD from UCL (UK) in GIS and road safety, Assistant Professor at University of Canterbury, New Zealand for 3 years, Assistant Professor in GIS at University of Queensland for 1 year, Research Fellow at University of Hong Kong for 3 years. I have experience in project management and working in both the private and public sector. I have taught up to Masters level and have design courses and taught extensively. LOOKING FOR: Research, teaching, consultancy positions. LANGUAGE SKILLS: English, French (small amount), Chinese (beginner), I am enrolled at Danish language school. IT EXPERIENCE: ArcGIS, MapInfo, GeoDa, Global Mapper, GWR, Python, Image J, SPSS, Excel, Work, PowerPoint, Access, Dreamweaver, Adobe, SAS, open source GIS programmes. CONTACT: tessaanderson@gmail.com SPOUSE: Caroline Warnes FROM: England, UK SEEKING WORK IN: Midtjylland, preferably Aarhus QUALIFICATION: MSc Environmental Dynamics; Monitoring, Evaluation and Management, BSc (Hons) Geography. Both from Loughborough University, UK. EXPERIENCE: Has worked as a mapping data analyst for a telecommunications company and an evaluation technician and analyst for a utilities company in the UK. Undergraduate thesis was written on public acceptance of wind energy and wind turbines. Experience with GIS, mapping, data analysis, producing reports, working with contractors and clients to time constraints and budgets. LOOKING FOR: Full time (preferably) or part time work within environmental/land acquisition/ planning/wind farm project development. LANGUAGE SKILLS: English (mother tongue), Danish (beginner). IT EXPERIENCE: Microsoft Office, Internet, MapInfo, ArcGIS, Wallingford InfoNet, previous experience of SPSS and bespoke analysis software. CONTACT: caroline@warnes.dk, Tel: +45 3133 3659 SPOUSE: Sadra Tabassi FROM: Iran SEEKING WORK IN: Copenhagen QUALIFICATION: Master of Business Administration (MBA). LOOKING FOR: Any full time job related to my qualification field. LANGUAGE SKILLS: Languages Fluent in English; Native in Farsi (Persian) and elementary level of Arabic. IT EXPERIENCE: Basic knowledge about computer (Windows), Office 2010 (Word, Excel, Power Point),Statistical software (SPSS) CONTACT: sadra.tabassi@gmail.com, Tel: +45 5033 7753 SPOUSE: Nicolas Corbet FROM: France SEEKING WORK IN: Greater Copenhagen QUALIFICATION: M. Sc. in Computer Science, ITIL certified EXPERIENCE: 4 years as IT Infrastructure Manager and 6 years as IT Infrastructure Project Manager. Solid Background in Infrastructure Design, Project, Team and Service Management. Broad experience in systems, networks and storage architectures. 1 and a half years as IT Operations Manager. Complete profile available on LinkedIn. LOOKING FOR: A new and challenging position in an international environment as IT Infrastructure Architect/Project Manager or Manager. Open also to volunteering opportunities. LANGUAGE SKILLS: English (working knowledge), French (mother tongue), German (academic knowledge), Danish (currently learning). IT EXPERIENCE: Microsoft Windows Server and Client OS, VMware, IBM servers and storage, Cisco and Fortinet, among others. CONTACT: nicolas.corbet@free.fr, Tel: +45 5018 5966 SPOUSE: Munawar Saleem FROM: Pakistan SEEKING WORK IN: Copenhagen QUALIFICATION: MBA logistics and supply chain management (Jonkoping University, Sweden) M.Sc. Computer Sciences (Punjab University, Lahore Pakistan). EXPERIENCE: 4 years, Lecturer in computer sciences. LOOKING FOR: Full time or part time job in Logistics and Supply. LANGUAGE SKILLS: English (fluent), Urdu (mother tongue), Swedish (Basic). IT EXPERIENCE: Proficient in MS Office (word, excel, power point etc.). CONTACT: libravision3@gmail.com, Tel: +45 7141 2010 SPOUSE: Mohamed Ismail FROM: Egypt SEEKING WORK IN: Marketing & Sales QUALIFICATION: Master of Science in Business and Economics with Specialization in Marketing. From Linnaeus University. Vaxjo, Sweden. EXPERIENCE: 3+ years in Marketing and sales, worked for one of the biggest Steel Companies in the middle east, worked in FMCG as a key account Sales Supervisor, worked as customer service international account for one of the biggest telecommunications companies in the world. Experience in business development and innovation. Worked in sales in retail shops. Very motivated and high potential, believe in team work and good in sales and presentation skills. LOOKING FOR: Part time or full time in Copenhagen LANGUAGE SKILLS: Fluent in English and Arabic. Danish and Swedish (intermediate and currently learning). IT EXPERIENCE: Excellent in MS office, Excel, Word and Powerpoint, excellent in Browsing and internet searching. Excellent in SPSS, basic knowledge of Photoshop. CONTACT: mohamediismail86@yahoo.com, Tel: -45 5361 0031 SPOUSE: Deepak Kumar Koneri FROM: India SEEKING WORK IN: Copenhagen QUALIFICATION: M.Sc in Electrical Engineering specialization in Embedded Systems (Jönköping, Sweden), B.Tech in Electrical and Electronics Engineering (Hyderabad, India). EXPERIENCE: Worked as Electrical Distribution Design Engineer in Electrical Consultant company for more than 2 years. I was responsible from the start of design definition phase till the implementation phase of individual project. LOOKING FOR: Full and part time job opportunity in Energy, Robust Electronics design, PCB Design, Thermal Analyst, Design & Modelling of power systems, power optimization, simulation and also in constructional, architectural consulting organization. LANGUAGE SKILLS: English (Fluent), Hindi (Mother Tongue), Swedish (Basic) and Danish(Basic, Currently learning). IT EXPERIENCE: MS-Office (word, Excel, Power point, Visio), CFD (Mentor Graphics FloTHERM, FloVENT, Noesis OPTIMUS, Electrical CAD, Assembly Programming (PIC 16f77, 8086,8051), WireMOM, Telelogic SDL-99, C and VHDL. CONTACT: konerideepak@gmail.com, Tel: +45 7156 1151
PARTNERS:
22 - 27 March 2013 SPOUSE: Raffaele Menafra FROM: Italy SEEKING WORK IN: Copenhagen QUALIFICATION: A degree as Prevention techniques in Work and Workplaces. EXPERIENCE: I worked 4 years in a rehabilitation clinic. LANGUAGE SKILLS: Italian (native), English, Danish (currently learning). IT EXPERIENCE: MS Office. CONTACT: menafra1@yahoo.it SPOUSE: Clotilde Imbert FROM: France SEEKING WORK IN: Greater Copenhagen QUALIFICATION: Master of town planning and development and master of urban geography (Paris IV-Sorbonne) EXPERIENCE: 5 years in field of town planning and development: Coordinator in urban project in a semi-public company: supervised a major urban project in Paris area (coordination of studies, acquisition of lands, worked with Planning Development of the Town Council, architects, developers to define the master plan and implement the project); Officer in research and consultancy firm (urban diagnosis, environmental impact assessments, inhabitants consultation). LOOKING FOR: A job in urban project field: planning department of Town Council or consultancy firm in town planning, environment and sustainable development, architecture firm, real estate development company. LANGUAGE SKILLS: French (mother tongue), English (professional usage), Spanish (basic), Danish (In progress). IT EXPERIENCE: MS Office, Abode Illustrator, AutoCad (basic), PC and Mac. CONTACT: clotilde.imbert@gmail.com SPOUSE: Chiara Rodighiero FROM: Siena, Italy SEEKING WORK IN: Copenhagen or nearby areas, Greater Copenhagen QUALIFICATION: Ph.D. in Microbiology (Univeristy of Bristol, UK), Laurea (Degree) in Pharmaceutical Chemistry (University of Padova, Italy), Project Manager Professional Certification (George Washington University, School of Business). EXPERIENCE: 5 years as Senior Project Manager for Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics. Responsibility for managing multiple global projects at various stages of Research and Development. Experience coordinating activities within cross-functional teams and ensuring that internal research activities are fully aligned with project goals. Experience also includes managing a team of scientists, controlling research budgets and resource allocation. Also have experience working for Biotech (in United Kingdom) and academia (Harvard Medical School). LOOKING FOR: Full time position in the Pharma/Biotech Industry in Research, Project Management or related fields suiting my qualifications and experience. LANGUAGE SKILLS: Italian mother tongue, very good command of English and a working knowledge of French. IT EXPERIENCE: Microsoft Office package. Excellent command of internet and ability to find information on the web. Excellent command of word-processor and spreadsheet applications. CONTACT: chiararodighiero@hotmail.com, Tel +39 348 790 7554 SPOUSE: Sucharita Reddy FROM: India SEEKING WORK IN: Anywhere in Denmark QUALIFICATION: Bachelor in Technology (Electrical Engineering). EXPERIENCE: 4+ years of professional experience in SAP ABAP & OO-ABAP programming for Material Management(MM), Plant Maintenance(PM), Document Management and Record Management System(DM/RM), Extended Warehouse Management (EWM), Sales and Distribution(SD) and Finance (FI) modules. LOOKING FOR: Job opportunities in IT (technical or Functional),Consulting,Management or Business Field. LANGUAGE SKILLS: Proficient in English & Hindi. Danish(learning Intensive course). IT EXPERIENCE: SAP ABAP/4 technical skills include ABAP Programs (Dialog Programming, Standard and Interactive Reports), ALV Reporting, Smartforms, User Exit and Field Exit Development, Interfacing Data with external systems, Data conversions, Programming using BDC, ABAP/4 Workbench, Data Dictionary, Batch Job management, Workflows, Adobe Forms, Webdynpro, ABAP Objects. CONTACT: sucharita17.reddy@gmail.com, Tel: +45 527 1184. SPOUSE: Momina Bashir Awan FROM: Pakistan SEEKING WORK IN: All of Denmark QUALIFICATION: MBA (Degrees Assessed by Danish Agency for International Education). EXPERIENCE: 4 years of wide experience as Human Resources Analyst in a USA based Pakistani. Organization. Involved in Recruitment of IT personnel for outsourcing, Compensation and benefits planning, Wage analysis, Conduct Training and Development Seminars and Team building. One year of Experience in Telesales of Citibank NA., 6 months of experience in Customer Services in Telecom sector. LOOKING FOR: Jobs in HR and Customer Services LANGUAGE SKILLS: English [Fluent], Urdu [Mother tongue], Hindi [Fluent], Danish [Beginner’s Level]. CONTACT: mominabashir@msn.com, Tel: +45 7135 2387 SPOUSE: Sonia Higgins FROM: Australia SEEKING WORK IN: Copenhagen as Restaurant Kitchen Hand QUALIFICATION: Diplome de Cuisine Le Cordon Bleu Certificate Thai Culinary Craft Work, Wandee Culinary School, Bangkok Thailand Experience with Spanish and Latin American cuisine LOOKING FOR: Entry cuisine position. LANGUAGE SKILLS: English, Spanish, French. CONTACT: tlsmhiggins1@aol.com SPOUSE: Tanzeel ur Rehman FROM: Pakistan SEEKING WORK IN: Greater Copenhagen QUALIFICATION: Ms in Business administration from Sweden EXPERIENCE: 4+ years of experience as Customer Management and Profile Keeping in Telecom sector in Denmark. Implemented and follow Business Ethics in all the Marketing, promotional and branding activities throughout all the Denmark. Organized events for different communities for 50-500 people. Worked in Banking sector as Business development Executive. LOOKING FOR: Full time or part time job. LANGUAGE SKILLS: English (fluent), Urdu(native), Punjabi (mother language), Danish (intermediate- currently learning). IT-EXPERIENCE: Bachelors in Computer Science. CONTACT: EMAIL: tanzeel.lyca@gmail.com, Tel: +45 4223 8800 SPOUSE: Lynn Kim FROM: South Korea SEEKING WORK IN: Copenhagen QUALIFICATION: Bachelor of Science in Oceanography, Inha University, Incheon, Korea 2008. Studied Chinese in Yentai, Yentai University, Shandong, China Fall 2006. Complete a course in Korean Language Teacher’s training, 2012 EXPERIENCE: Korea Coast Guard, Donghae; Pyongtaek, Police constable. Yeonsu Private Institute, Incheon, Teacher in Elementary, Middle School, and High School students in English. The Hankyoreh Newspaper Company, Seoul, Editorial bureau assistant. Weather and funeral column writing, Provide administrative support to the city desk. Inha University Newspaper, Incheon, Photo Journalist LOOKING FOR: Korean tutor as a part time job. LANGUAGE SKILLS: Fluent in English, intermediate Mandarin, Mongolian language, I’m learning Danish on Youtube. IT EXPERIENCE: MS Office (Excel, Powerpoint, Word). CONTACT: amorphophallus@jinbo.net
SPOUSE: Keshab Nidhi Pantha FROM: Nepal SEEKING WORK IN: Copenhagen QUALIFICATION: Masters in Mathematics EXPERIENCE: 4 years Mathematics teaching in secondary level and 2 years Mathematics teaching in Bachelor level. LOOKING FOR: Full time/part time Mathematics teaching in international school or College/ University. LANGUAGE SKILLS: English,Nepali,Hindi and little Danish. IT EXPERIENCE: 6 months diploma in computer with MS words and excel. CONTACT: pantha_kn@yahoo.com, Tel: +45 7157 9893 SPOUSE: Erik Metzger FROM: San Francisco, CA USA SEEKING WORK IN: Drug & Alcohol Counselling QUALIFICATION: Masters degree in addiction counselling from Hazelden Graduate School of Addiction Studies; Currently preparing for the IC&RC counselling exam. EXPERIENCE: Drug & Alcohol Counsellor; Masters in Addiction Counselling from Hazelden Graduate School in Minnesota, USA, August 2012. Ten years of active work in various 12-step programs. I can meet with you and/or your family to develop a custom recovery plan; all ages welcome. Registered Yoga Teacher through: www.yogaalliance.org since July, 2010. I can supply yoga mats and supports; my apartment or yours! Teacher of business English with training from Berlitz, Virksomhedsskolen and Denmark’s Library School (Cand.scient.bibl., 2007). *All diploma’s and certifications available upon request. LOOKING FOR: Part/Full/Freelance/Volunteer work at treatment center and/or outpatient clinic. LANGUAGE SKILLS: English: Native; Danish: Fluent verbal skills and intermediate reading and writing. IT EXPERIENCE: PC and Mac – trained in many software packages and databases. CONTACT: erikmetz@gmail.com SPOUSE: Clémence Arnal FROM: France SEEKING WORK IN: Copenhagen; Region Sjælland QUALIFICATION: Wastewater/drinking water (processes and treatments, building design, water sampling and pollution rate measurement); environment protection (river basin management, waste management). EXPERIENCE: Waste sorting representative (Office “Communauté du Pays d’Aix”, France); Leaks investigation on drinking water networks, Help to communes to deal with their drinking water system, Control operation of individual sanitation systems (Office “G2C Environment”, France); Drinking water stations security: putting the Antiterrorist security plan in practice, employees security , Distribution network security: determining the cost of a network re-chlorination unit (“Drinking Water” administration of Aix en Provence, France). LOOKING FOR: Water treatment assistant / engineer. LANGUAGE SKILLS: French (mother tongue); English (Fluent); Danish (Prøve Dansk 3). IT EXPERIENCE: MS-Office; AutoCAD (basic); Mapinfo (basic). CONTACT: clem.arnal@gmail.com, Tel: +45 2334 6322 SPOUSE: Lorenzo Albano F. FROM: Venezuela SEEKING WORK IN: Greater Copenhagen and Capital Region QUALIFICATIONS: PhD, MSc in Physics, BSc in Geophysics. EXPERIENCE: Researcher/programmer of numerical/computational methods in geophysics, signal processing, tomographic inversion, wave propagation. Lecturer in physics, mathematics and informatics. Researcher in theoretical quantum optics and quantum information. LOOKING FOR: Employment, freelance work, internship or plain unpaid collaboration in applied research/engineering/scientific computing and numerical methods/science education/ computational geophysics. LANGUAGE SKILLS: Fluent in Spanish (native), English and Italian. Danish (Modul 4, DanskUddannelse 3). IT EXPERIENCE: MSDOS, Windows 7/Vista/XP, Linux (Ubuntu, Solaris), included Shell scripting. C, C++, FORTRAN, Visual BASIC. Web: HTML, CSS, Joomla!. LaTeX2E. Mathematica, MATLAB, MS Office/ OpenOffice, PhotoShop/Gimp. CONTACT: lorenzoalbanof@gmail.com, Tel: +45 5015 9819 SPOUSE: Maihemutijiang Maimaiti FROM: China SEEKING WORK IN: Aarhus area, Denmark QUALIFICATION: M.Sc. In Computer Science, Uppsala University, Sweden; Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science, Southwest University. LOOKING FOR: IT jobs. LANGUAGE SKILLS: English, Chinese, Uyghur. IT EXPERIENCE: 1 year experience in Java programming and modelling in VDM++. CONTACT: mehmudjan@live.se SPOUSE: Mohammad Ahli- Gharamaleki FROM: Iran SEEKING WORK IN: Copenhagen QUALIFICATION: Master degree in chemical engineering. EXPERIENCE: 5+ years as a chemical engineer in R&D oil/gas projects as a team leader or member in Iran. LOOKING FOR: A position in an International company to expand my experience and expertise. LANGUAGE SKILLS: Azeri (native), English (fluent), Farsi (fluent), Arabic (good), Turkish (good), Danish(beginner). IT EXPERIENCE: Professional (MATLAB, Hysys, Aspen plus, Auto Cad, others (Office, Minitab). CONTACT: mohammad_ahli@yahoo.com, Tel: +45 7163 1285 SPOUSE: Christina Ioannou FROM: Greece SEEKING WORK IN: Central Copenhagen QUALIFICATION: MA in HRM London, UK. Bsc. American College USA. EXPERIENCE: Worked as a manager for 11 years in the retailing sector – fashion industry for a big international corporation. I had budget and personnel responsibility. I was in charge of the purchasing department. LOOKING FOR: Any kind of industry. Not simply in fashion. Where I will apply my leadership, sales, communicative and purchasing skills. LANGUAGE SKILLS: English, Swedish,Italian, French, Greek IT-EXPERIENCE: MS Office. CONTACT: christina_ioannou@yahoo.com, Tel: +46 7684 35211
Denmark’s only English-language newspaper
WHY: The Copenhagen Post wishes to help spouses looking for jobs in Denmark. We have on our own initiative started a weekly spouse job page in The Copenhagen Post, with the aim to show that there are already within Denmark many highly educated international candidates looking for jobs. If you are a spouse to an international employee in Denmark looking for new career opportunities, you are welcome to send a profile to The Copenhagen Post at aviaja@cphpost.dk and we will post your profile on the spouse job page when possible. Remember to get it removed in case of new job.
Employment
The Copenhagen Post cphpost.dk
22 - 27 March 2013
SKT. JOSEF’S INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
IN ROSKILDE Seeks Secondary teachers
The Bagel Co is looking for fulltime Bagelmakers A Bagelmaker at The Bagel Co is extraverted, smiling and enjoys to talk to the customers. You are required to be enthusiastic and positive towards those customers who know The Bagel Co and the bagel concept already as well as towards those who do not. As a member of the staff at The Bagel Co, it is important to be responsible in order to become part of a bigger team in which everyone depends on each other’s work and enthusiasm. Several members of staff often work in the shops at the same time, which requires cooperation and teamwok. Key criteria for a Bagelmaker: Extraverted Serviceminded Responsible Cooperative Overview
Send your application to: thebagelco@thebagelco.dk
o t d r a w r o f k o We lo from you! hearing
If you want to know more www.thebagelco.dk
Skt. Josef’s School welcomes Secondary teachers to teach subjects including Mathematics, English, History, Chinese and Spanish. Our new International Department at the school is expanding and so we are looking for teachers qualified to teach the Cambridge International Curriculum. Applicants must be certified teachers and fluent speakers of English. We encourage teachers with experience from International Schools and teachers with some curriculum coordination experience to apply. Experience with Special Needs is an advantage. In the process of hiring, we would like you to teach a lesson or show us a plan of how you would organise a lesson. Applications, including a CV and a letter of motivation with a definition of the applicant’s philosophy about the teaching and classroom management, are to be sent to post@sktjosef.dk no later than Monday 22nd April. For a school visit or an informal talk please contact Head of International Department Line Lorentzen by telephone 0045 5339 4245 or email line@sktjosef.dk
For more information about the teaching jobs please visit www.sktjosef.dk (please look under International School section) Skt. Josefs School, Roskilde Frederiksborgvej 10 DK-4000 Roskilde +45 46 35 25 26 post@sktjosef.dk www.sktjosef.dk
Biotech Job Vacancies Lundbeck
Novo Nordisk
Regulatory Business Professional Research Scientist
QA professional Trial Data Manager Labelling Coordinator Global Pricing Manager QA Chemist Global Pricing Manager Sr. Business Analyst Recruitment Partner Associate Category Manager Project Engineer IT Project Manager Senior IT Project Manager SAP BW Specialist QA professional Labelling & Graphics Coordinator Clinical Supplies Coordinator Recovery and purification scientist Clinical Supplies Coordinator Compentency Development Manager Clinical Supplies Coordinator CDM Process Developer Team Leader Principal Research Scientist Associate Manager for Biopharm AP Support HAA, Team Proces Support QA Chemist CVP Assistant QA Chemist Project Manager Statistician International Trial Manager Chemist Senior Outsourcing Professional
Leo-Pharma Business Analyst GPS – temporary position Enterprise Solution Architect in Global IT Discovery Board & Development Board Coordinator (1 year maternity cover) Head of Quality Process Stream Quality Specialist – 2 positions Senior Project Manager – launch of new product solutions Senior Project Manager - portfolio management of improvement projects Global Marketing Compliance Manager, COE Stakeholder Engagement - readvertisement Quality Optimisation & Support Specialist Business Analyst GPS – temporary position HR Business Partner for the corporate support functions
Novozymes IT Service Manager Planning Coordinator Quality professional
Ferring International Clinical Trial Manager Formulation Research Scientist, temporary position
Denmark’s only English-language newspaper
For more information, deadlines and other job vacancies visit our webpage www.cphpost.dk/jobvacancies
17
18
CULTURE
THE COPENHAGEN POST CPHPOST.DK
22 - 27 March 2013
ANNA ACKERMAN
Film industry insiders fear a funding system that discourages the Von Triers of the future will end in tears
D
ENMARK will cease producing distinctive, provocative and ambitious filmmakers like Lars von Trier and Thomas Vinterberg should the current funding criteria of the national film institute, the DFI, continue as it is today, claim industry insiders. The DFI makes arbitrary decisions, they argue, and the whole process discourages risk taking. “It is a very professional organisation and it is guaranteed to produce good films like ‘A Royal Affair’,” an up-and-coming filmmaker, Søren Juul Petersen, told The Copenhagen Post. “However, as with any other industry, if you don’t innovate, you will die. Maybe not in the short-term, but in the long run, you will choke on your own success.” Lars von Trier, whose upcoming erotic film, ‘Nymphomaniac’ will once again push boundaries on screen, realised all this early on in his career. To maintain creative control he knew he needed to be financially independent, so in 1992, along with producer Peter Aalbaek Jensen, he started Zentropa, a decentralised and autonomous production company that is now the largest in Scandinavia. Less experienced Danish filmmakers, however, are struggling to find avenues for innovation and development that circumnavigate the historically
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The cast of ‘Det Grå Guld’ plot their next move: “Maybe we could get our director mentioned in Who Is ...?”
state-supported film industry. While life on the ‘outskirts’ of the film industry exists, the DFI has strict terms for financial support and, large as Zentropa is, it cannot compete with the DFI’s scope, thus leaving many scrambling for crowd funding sources and private investors for film development opportunities. “I have spoken personally to both accomplished filmmakers as well as the talented undiscovered in Denmark, and both, interestingly enough, come to the same conclusion,” explained Alex Archimbaud, an independent filmmaker, to The Copenhagen Post. “That conclusion is that the fate of their project lies in the hands of a single consultant − their choices will always be based on their tastes, statistical/psychological speculation, personal experiences, references, and ultimately, in many in-
stances, quotas imposed, loosely or heavy-handedly by an ageing bureaucratical system. That’s a scary concept. All of a sudden you have a single person who can open or close the door to your project.” Søren Juul Petersen, a film producer who is the head of the film production company Zeitgeist, experienced this obstacle in the making of ‘Det Grå Guld’, his latest movie which is scheduled to come out on March 28. “It’s a dramatic comedy,” he told The Copenhagen Post. “About three elderly people deciding to rob a bank in order to get money for the rest of their lives. It is a project that was never funded through the DFI or any of the radio stations. It was turned down because they predicted that there would not be an audience for such a film. Strangely enough, senior people
PETE STREADER ‘The House’
March 2
I
N THE world of puppetry, everything is possible, and the audience at ‘The House’, shown as part of the Copenhagen Puppet Festival, are taken on a slapstick ride of nightmarish proportions. With subtle nods to films like ‘Rear Window’, ‘Psycho’ and ‘The Exorcist’, creators Sophie Krog and David Faraco invite us to witness the escalating intrigues inside The House, a dilapidated crematorium. Indeed, the house is itself a vocal character in the story, eerily confiding in us the events that have taken place within its walls and choosing to let us witness for ourselves the whole gruesome affair. The ramshackle house is a true work of art in its own right and is placed on a revolving stage, allowing us, as eager voyeurs, to watch expectantly from the outside − through the windows, before taking a 180-degree turn to invite us surreptitiously inside. The intricate details of the house are impressive, from the balconies, tiled roof, banging doors, peeling plaster, smoking
JAKOB ESKILDSEN
Home is where the horror is
‘God’s Work’ does not belong to Vatican EVIE SARGEANT Catholic Church loses court battle over the Latin phrase ‘Opus Dei’
L
Tony and Bruno, two of the unforgettable dwellers of The House
chimneys and fiery furnace, to the curtain draped around the four-poster bed of the ailing Mrs Esperanza, whose crackling voice is amplified around the house via a long trumpeting tube. The characters move around so fluidly and expertly that you completely forget that the controlled chaos is actually being performed by two dexterous pairs of hands from beneath the stage. And after the performance we were invited to see the inner workings of the house and watch as the enthusiastic Krog and Faraco effortlessly bobbed the puppets up and down while happily answering questions from the still buzzing and smiling audience. This was clearly a house where they felt completely at home. The show was billed as a
are going to the movies more than ever now.” Initially, the New Danish Screen, founded in 2003, was founded to encourage innovation and new ideas, and to support aspiring film producers like Søren Juul Petersen and Alex Archimbaud. It is a talent development subsidy scheme which, according to the Danish Film Institute website, aims to utilise “the energies and directions of talented creators, rather than guide them in well-defined directions”. Approximately 15 million euros have been allocated to the New Danish Screen over the course of 2011-2014. But less experienced filmmakers are still not reaping the promised benefits. The DFI again took action in 2010. The DFI’s year-long dialogue project Spørg & Lyt (Ask & Listen), involving 250 stakeholders from the film in-
performance for teenagers and adults. To put this to the test, I brought along my teenage daughter. Our last trip to the theatre involved a disgraceful amount of bribery in order to get her to return after the intermission. No such moral dilemma here as her eyes lit up from the moment the lights went on until the house got to utter its final chilling words. We were both completely engrossed in the magic and devilish deeds that the house had been so kind to show us. The puppeteers have created an extraordinarily detailed universe that with its thriller theme, comedic elements and simple storyline creates a chilling bedtime story. Who knows what tales your own house could tell? Who knows indeed.
dustry, highlighted the desire to see micro-regulation replaced by a dialogue between parliament, the DFI and the film industry as to what the results of film subsidies should be. The Danish Film Institute then published a proposal of what is needed to ensure a diverse and sustainable film culture in Denmark in the future, entitled ‘Set Film Free’. Changing the structure of state funding for Danish film production seems risky, especially when Danish films have earned major love from the Academy Awards in recent years. Susanne Bier’s drama ‘Hævnen’ (‘In a Better World’) snagged the best foreign film trophy for 2010. ‘En Kongelig Affære’ (‘A Royal Affair’), starring Mads Mikkelsen, was a recent nominee for Best Foreign Language Film. But Petersen remains unconvinced. In a letter he wrote in 2007 to Henrik Bo Nielsen, the head of the DFI, Petersen asked: “Why aren’t there any recent graduates from the Danish royal film school who are starting their own companies? Why are there no recent media studies graduates taking their chances at being independent in the film industry? And why are there no established producers from large companies who dare to create their own?” And earlier this month, Petersen confirmed that he is still just as worried about the future of Danish film as he was six years ago. “Nothing has changed. I think that article is something that I could have written last week.”
AST WEEK, a Danish court ruled in favour of philosophy-themed card game producer Dema Games regarding its use of the phrase ‘Opus Dei’, which is the name of a conservative Catholic institution founded in 1928 that played a central role in the 2006 bestseller ‘The Da Vinci Code’. Meaning ‘God’s Work’, the judges ruled that “‘Opus Dei − Existence After Religion’ is so different from the Catholic organisation’s mission”, it did not infringe upon any trademark. The lawsuit began in November 2009 when game producer Mark Rees-Andersen received a letter from Opus Dei’s Spanish division demanding that he remove the phrase from the game and its websites, claiming that the Catholic organisation had exclusive rights to the Opus Dei brand throughout the EU and in several other countries. When challenged by the Danish patent office, Opus Dei failed to prove that it had previously used the logo. The
church then took the case to Sø- og Handelsretten, the Danish court which rules in patent disputes, arguing that Rees-Andersen must have known of the organisation as he had read ‘The Da Vinci Code’. In his defence, Rees-Andersen argued that “Opus Dei is a common concept that no-one can claim the rights to, just as you cannot demand exclusive rights to Jesus Christ, God or the Virgin Mary.”
Opus Dei is a common concept that no-one can claim the rights to, just as you cannot demand exclusive rights to Jesus Christ, God or the Virgin Mary The ruling ends over three years of legal wrangling for ReesAndersen, whose lawyers told media that they believed the real aim of the lawsuit was to ruin him financially. On Friday, the court ordered Opus Dei to pay the defendant’s legal fees of 45,000 kroner.
Shaky González?
EVIE SARGEANT Born in Chile 1966, Shaky González moved to Denmark at the age of seven, attending Den Danske Filmskole in 1993. He has since directed many films, including ‘Det grå guld’ (The grey gold), a comedy about three pensioners who rob a bank, which hits the cinemas on March 27. Shaky, it’s a great name but not that common in Denmark It’s not my real name of course, it’s a nickname. It comes from when I wrote comic books as a teenager and it just stuck. By the time I was making films, it was too late to change it. ‘Det grå guld’, was written by an Englishman. How come? John Bell originally wrote it for an English audience, but when I received the script, it had already been translated into Danish and the humour adapted for a Danish audience. I thought the Danes and Brits found the same things funny? Danish humour can be quite different. They are similar in that they both appreciate dark humour, but aren’t quite the same. Previously a lot of your work has been within the horror genre … Yeah, I think they liked the idea of a horror director working on a film about three senior citizens. How does one go about casting an attractive older woman? I was involved and we were all in agreement on the three leads. Birthe Neuman is so good, she’s perfect. There was another female up for the lead, but it’s a good thing it didn’t work out as these three worked so well together. You have two films currently in post-production … One is a horror film called ‘Statue Collector’ and the other is a Bollywood project called ‘A place to die’. As with all indie films at the moment, money is a problem. There will be no more indie films from me for a while now, as you put your heart and soul into them, and then the film lies on the shelf for years. It’s too frustrating. So there will be no more work from you unless it’s well paid? Yes, and then I can run off into the sunset and retire.
DENMARK THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS THE COPENHAGEN POST CPHPOST.DK
22 - 27 March 2013
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Montmatre, like its Paris namesake, attracted the world’s best artists ... in jazz
MATT WHEELER Leaving America in the 1950s and ‘60s, many of the musicians were happy to be in a city where they “no longer needed to figure out where the back door of the club was for a quick getaway in case trouble started”
I
F YOU AREN’T plugged into the jazz scene, or haven’t scratched beneath the surface of Copenhagen’s musical past, the capital may not spring to mind as a city with a great jazz past. While America will forever be considered the home of jazz, and European cities like Paris, Montreux and London have high profile jazz credentials, Copenhagen’s rich relationship with jazz over the past 50 years or so is a compelling story that also makes a good case for it being considered amongst the major jazz cities of the world. Danish jazz stars have been making names for themselves beyond their own borders for decades, but a significant chapter in Copenhagen’s jazz history deals with the special relationship between the city and an impressive array of visiting American jazz stars. These visitors not only
came to Copenhagen in the 1950s and ‘60s, but in many cases stayed here for the rest of their lives after being hugely encouraged to do so by a local population that was all too happy to have them. Dotted around Copenhagen are signs of the depth of t h i s rela-
Thad Jones occupy prominent positions alongside former Danish prime ministers, and bassist Oscar Pettiford’s grave in Frederiksberg Kirkegård received a remarkable facelift in 2010 by internationally-renowned Danish artist Per Arnoldi. In Sydhavn, courtesy of the roads named after saxophonist Ben Webster, pianist Kenny Drew and others in the recent housing developments in Sydhavn, this love affair is literally signposted. So why did these American musicians come, and what made them stay? The American invasion
tionship. In the heart of Ve s t r e Kirkegård Ceme t e r y, t h e graves of drummer Ed Thigpen and trumpeter
COLOURBOX
‘Copenheaven’ “THEY WERE respected as artists, not just musicians. There were interviews, programmes on the television, radio shows
record gives as to the benefits of life in Copenhagen, is where it was recorded – live in one of the most important jazz venues in Europe, Jazzhus Montmartre. Home to the stars MONTMARTRE was the physical embodiment of this respect that seduced so many visiting American artists. Founded in 1959, this now legendary club’s own history proclaims: “They all moved to Copenhagen for Montmartre.” While that might sound like an overstatement, there are numerous sources that confirm Montmartre’s pivotal role in enticing, welcoming and ultimately attaching these jazz stars to Copenhagen. Not only was it a venue that treated artists with respect, it had an enthusiastic crowd and hooked the players up with talented, open-minded Danish musicians, such as the bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, drummer Alex Riel, trumpeter Palle Mikkelborg and many others. Many of the fruits of these collaborations can be found amongst the vast stock of LPs in Sound Station on Gammel Kongevej, and the staff there are unequivocal in their answer to the question regarding why the Americans came to Denmark. It’s simply “Montmartre” every time. Thad Jones, one of the later arrivals to Scandinavia when he moved to Copenhagen in 1978, released a big band album under the name ‘Eclipse’ in 1979. Its sleevnotes describe Montmartre as “a cultural centre in Copenhagen”. Despite this, a combination of economic factors led to the club closing in the ‘70s, but thankfully its doors were reopened in 2010 on Store Regnegade. A two-way street IN OTHER cities though, this history may well have gone uncelebrated if not for the work of
a handful of dedicated Danes who were inspired to recognise and protect this heritage. Erik Moseholm, the renowned Danish bassist and bandleader who died late in 2012, played a key role in securing the jazz artist street names in Sydhavn. While many city authorities might opt for the safer route of dedicating new streets to people or places from their own country, the decision to recognise these adopted sons is definitely a welcome departure from the norm. Simple acts of hospitality are also not to be underestimated in making the Americans feel at home. The likes of Herluf Kamp-Larssen, Montmartre’s owner throughout the ‘60s, and Wolsgaard-Iversen himself, who counted Webster, Drew and Boone as houseguests, were just two of the many who lent a hand. And finally, there is Hugo Rasmussen. The Danish bassist led a campaign to rescue the grave of Oscar Pettiford from disrepair, and in doing so recruited Per Arnoldi to create the impressive marble structure that now provides worthy recognition of this pioneer of American settlement in Denmark. A hospitable climate BOTH THEN, and now, Copenhagen is a city that welcomes American jazz artists with open arms. In 1979, Danish journalist Jack Lind summed it up perfectly when he wrote the Eclipse sleevenotes: “Copenhagen offers one of the most hospitable climates for jazz in the world.” Ultimately, that is exactly why it was so successful at attracting big names to live and thrive here. Now, as the first wave of American artists are fully recognised across the city, and the thriving annual jazz festival and reopened Montmartre keep musicians visiting regularly, Copenhagen continues to be one of the great jazz cities of the world.
BACKGROUND PICTURES MASSIMO FIORENTINO
AMERICAN jazz and big band tours of Europe were common from the 1930s onwards, but the permanent honours of street names and graves were not handed out just for playing a show here. As well as Webster, Drew, Thigpen, Jones and Pettiford, the likes of saxophonists Sahib Shihab, Ernie Wilkins and Dexter Gordon, trombonist Richard Boone and pianist Horace Parlan all made Copenhagen their home during the ‘50s, ‘60s and beyond. The first to do so was one of the most famous names in jazz. “Stan Getz was the first to move here in ‘58, with his Swedish wife” confirmed Henrik Wolsgaard-Iversen, a jazz journalist who is the chairman of the Ben Webster Foundation, which was set up after the star’s death in 1973 to support jazz in Denmark. Getz only stayed here for three years, but that was enough to spread the word, and soon others were being enticed by talk of the benefits of life in Europe. In particular, Wolsgaard-Iversen believes there was one key factor that kept the artists happy on this side of the Atlantic: respect.
– they were treated like kings,” explained Wolsgaard-Iversen. At this time, the US was still a nation divided by racial segregation, so for many of these black musicians, Copenhagen’s equality was a liberating breath of fresh air. As Wolsgaard-Iversen put it: “They no longer needed to figure out where the back door of the club was for a quick getaway in case trouble started.” Dexter Gordon, quoted in the sleevenotes of the LP ‘Dexter In Radioland Vol 1’, confirms the significance of the respect he felt in Denmark. “Over here one of the most important things, and one of the biggest reasons for my being here, is that you do get that respect and that’s important,” he said. That respect manifested itself in other ways too, including good levels of pay for performances, and welcome attention from Danish women. Back to Wolsgaard-Iversen: “The girls loved the jazz artists because they were so exotic and different from the boring stuff they were used to.” No wonder Gordon nicknamed his adopted home city ‘Copenheaven’. As life away from the US brought respect and recognition as an artist, it also enabled artistic freedom. As Kenny Drew explained on the sleeve to his 1976 album ‘Morning’, which he recorded in Copenhagen: “I have probably worked in more different contexts than if I had stayed in New York where I might have got musically locked in with a set group of musicians”. They all embraced the opportunity to work with a wider variety of players. For example, Gordon’s Radioland record (recorded in 1962, but released in 1978) is actually credited to the Dexter Gordon & Atli Bjørn Trio (the latter being a Danish pianist) and features several established Danish names. The LP was released on the influential Danish jazz label Steeplechase and produced by that label’s founder Nils Winther, but the most significant clue that the
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