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6 JULY - 11 AUGUST 2022 VOL 25 ISSUE 09
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A KING'S CORT
COLOMBIA
SPECIAL EDITION
INSIDE Colombia is more than a nation of coffee and cyclists. As a leader in biodiversity, it has more to lose than most to climate change and is embracing the green transition with gusto
LOCAL
FEATURE
2 The 22-year-old ethnically Danish man who killed three people at Field’s shopping centre on Sunday had a history of mental illness, according to Copenhagen Police
FEATURE
4 Borgen is not just a story of our times, but continuing a tradition that started with Aristotle: the need to see ourselves reflected in drama so we can evolve together
20 Get acquainted with It’s July, the startup empowering families to meet up – a godsend for those who’ve recently moved here and find their weekends mostly empty
LOCAL THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK
6 JULY - 11 AUGUST 2022
THREE KILLED IN FIELD’S RAMPAGE
ONLINE THIS WEEK
BEN HAMILTON
CHRISTIAN WENANDE
LEIF JØRGENSEN
Police confirm shooter has a history of mental illness
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22-YEAR-OLD ethnically Danish man shot dead three people at Field's shopping centre on Sunday evening. Hundreds barricaded themselves in shops, toilets and other makeshift hideouts to evade the man, waiting anxiously for up to an hour for the all-clear. On Monday morning, the police confirmed the man acted alone and has a history of mental illness. They are accordingly not investigating the case as an act of terrorism, and they have charged the man with murder.
Spookily evokes the 1984 film 'The Killing Fields'
Chosen at random THE SHOOTING claimed the lives of three people: a 47-year-old Russian man who lives in Denmark and two 17-yearolds, a boy and a girl. A further four people, including two Swedish citizens, are currently in hospi-
tal with critical wounds, but in a stable condition. The police believe that all the victims were chosen at random. The shooter was in possession of a rifle, a knife and “had access to a pistol” – all weapons were legal, but not something the man had permits for.
Harry Styles cancellation FIELD’S was perhaps busier than normal due to a Harry Styles concert due to take place at nearby Royal Arena. Styles cancelled the concert when he understood the enormity of the situation.
WORLD’S MOST LIVEABLE CITY AGAIN CORPORATE KNIGHTS
Five-year winners IT’S THE fifth time that the Danish capital has finished top. Monocle said the Danish capital may not be as eye-catching as other cities, but praised its vibrant culture, security, public transport, resident-orientated strategies, creative space planning and constant efforts to improve. “Copenhagen has consistently put pedestrians, bikes and people at the centre of the city and it has paid off. City Hall cleaned up the harbour for swimming, and benefits and provisions for citizens are generous,” added Fehnert.
An honoured mayor ZURICH finished second on the list, followed by Lisbon, Helsinki and Stockholm. Tokyo, Vienna, Sydney, Vancouver and Taipei completed the top 10. Other notables in the top 25 included Berlin (13), Amsterdam (14), Paris (17), Melbourne (19) and Oslo (23). “The ranking is a big pat on the back for Copenhagen, which once again has been awarded the fantastic honour of being the world’s best city to live in,” said Copenhagen Mayor Sophie Hæstorp Andersen.
Holbæk terror trial in August
Giraffes escape zoo fire
Long way off top ten
TWO MEN aged 34 and 36 who are believed to be brothers from Syria, and one of their wives, 31, who has a dual Danish-Iraqi citizenship, have been charged with planning a terrorist attack – in an unknown location, either in Denmark or abroad. The trio were among 13 people arrested, mostly in Holbæk, in February 2021. The trial is expected to begin in August.
A FIRE erupted in the giraffe barn of Copenhagen Zoo over the weekend of June 18-19, but fortunately the occupants, along with nearby 'Savannah' animals, such as rhinos and zebras, were safely evacuated. Some weaver birds, however, were exposed to smoke and required treatment. It is thought the fire was caused by a faulty technical installation.
COPENHAGEN has ranked 35th on a global list of the top Pride celebrations compiled by Airbnb. Following the pandemic, it is estimated 75 percent of the LGBT worldwide community will make at least one foreign trip this year to a Pride celebration, according to GAY TIMES. The top ten were London, Paris, Rome, LA, Lisbon, Barcelona, Toronto, NYC, Milan and Madrid.
Monocle impressed by Copenhagen’s vibrant culture, security and public transport, along with its neverending drive to improve
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ONOCLE magazine has once again ranked Copenhagen top of ‘The world’s most liveable cities in 2022’ list. “Copenhagen has kept independent retail and restaurants alive; it’s an exciting place for entrepreneurs, has world-leading museums and ambitious plans to green the city, recycle more and be a good place to live," enthused Monocle editor Josh Fehnert.
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Ejvind Sandal
Hans Hermansen
CO-OWNER
CEO
Ben Hamilton EDITOR
Pant takeaway on the way?
High cannabis arrest numbers
IN AN EFFORTS to reduce plastic pollution, Copenhagen Lady Mayor Sophie Hæstorp Andersen and Maja Rosenstock, the head of Danish Restaurants and Cafés, were both recently involved in a panel discussion organised by Oceana that focused on the need to reusable containers for takeaways – possibly via a deposit system similar to pant.
SOME 381 people have so far been arrested this year for cannabis sales mostly related to Pusher Street in Christiana, of which 109 were retained in custody and will probably face charges. According to Copenhagen Police, the majority are from marginalised and socially disadvantaged groups who are exploited by gangs.
Fewer parking spaces
NAVIGATING parking spaces in central Copenhagen will get more difficult as a result of new urban space and traffic plans. Out of an existing 1,050 parking spaces in the medieval city of Copenhagen, 750 will be removed. The proposals will achieve “more greenery, better accommodation and spaces for soft road users”, according to City Hall. Top award for airport
COPENHAGEN Airport won the Best Immigration Process Award at the World Airport Awards in Paris. The award assesses the best service presented to passengers outside the EU Schengen area and is decided by passenger ratings at more than 500 airports. Doctor stabbed on home call
A SHOCKING stabbing on Holmbladsgade in Amager on June 21 left a doctor fighting for his life. Shortly after the medic was attacked whilst making a home visit, police arrested a 30-yearold man.
Long permit waiting times
WAITING times for building permits in Copenhagen have never been longer. The processing time of a simple construction case can take 40 days, and more complex cases 60 days. In one case, the waiting time was more than 200 days. Teknik- og Miljøforvaltningen has promised action, but not until 2023. Reducing the risk of fire
FOLLOWING the major fire in Vanløse on March 25, the Housing and Planning Agency has launched an initiative to raise awareness of fire safety. A report issued by the Institute of Fire and Security Engineering contends the fire risk could have been reduced had the roof not been so combustible. Ukraine donor conference
DENMARK, the UK and Ukraine have teamed up to host a critical Ukraine donor conference in Copenhagen in August. The conference will focus on donations, financing and collaboration regarding the long-term support of Ukraine, including the training of Ukrainian soldiers.
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FEATURE THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK
6 JULY - 11 AUGUST 2022
BORGEN LEGACY: WHY BIRGITTE GAMMELBORG’S STORY IS NOT QUITE OVER
A former foreign minister ensured the plot was realistic enough in terms of the amount of skullduggery, duplicity and back-stabbing on display
How the Aristotelian series is effortlessly evolving with the times – next stop Brussels? STIG TOFT MADSEN
B
ORGEN’ is the term used in daily parlance for Christiansborg, a large building with façades of grey granite in central Copenhagen. The Danish word ‘borg’ means ‘castle’ or ‘fortress’, and the definite form ‘borgen’ indicates that this castle is not just any castle, but ‘the castle’ and, indeed, it houses the Danish Parliament, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Supreme Court and the royal reception rooms. Christiansborg was built in the 19th century after the previous castle had burnt down. It is located on the islet of Slotsholmen, which has been the centre of power in the Kingdom of Denmark from the 15th century. Borgen is the physical manifestation of the Danish polity. Era of female ascendence ‘BORGEN’ is also the title of a TV series, which was first broadcast in 2010 and can be found on Netflix with English subtitles. The series revolves around Birgitte Nyborg and her rise to power to become the first female PM of Denmark. In the recently released fourth season, she is no longer the PM, but the minister of foreign affairs – and a troubled one. Her ministerial berth, as well as her position as party head, are challenged. The PM is also a female, and so are several other party leaders. The female journalist, who played a central role
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in earlier seasons, is now the head of the news desk – a managerial role that exhausts her. Thus, the new season of ‘Borgen’ is about the fraught politics in the era of female ascendence. In the comparable US series ‘House of Cards’, President Claire Underwood appoints an all-female cabinet. Female dominance is less accentuated in ‘Borgen’. Old-school male bureaucrats still work their magic from behind the scenes. ‘Borgen’ portrays women-of-power in such a manner that males may countenance, or even welcome, the prospects of a female raj. Melting fact with fiction THE PLOT revolves around faraway Greenland, where the local government enjoys self-rule. Driven by the prospect of lucrative oil revenues, the Greenlandic government enters a ‘Great Game’ in which Russian oligarchs and Chinese firms confront Danish interests. In the process, Nyborg betrays her green profile to allow Greenland to exploit the oil with a Chinese partner, but the US looks on with increasing worry as the Chinese quickly erode both Greenland’s self-rule and Danish influence. In the end, Nyborg makes some hard choices about being a party leader and a minister. She needs to find herself again. The series fluctuates between fact and fiction, at times adumbrating real events. Adam Price, the creator of the series, has a knack of melting facts and fiction into stories that are both realistic and imaginative. In the late 1970s, US series like ‘Dallas’, and then later ‘Dynasty’, achieved
global viewership, attracting fans from societies in which extended families collaborate and fight in much the same way as those depicted in the series. As the anthropologist Steven Sampson observed, farmers in remote Romanian villages could recognise their own kinship dynamics among rich Americans. ‘Borgen’ is more focused on individuals, workplaces and nuclear families as constitutive parts of a sustainable polity. Dynastic politics pulls people into power whether they like it or not. ‘Borgen’ accords the actors more leeway in crafting politics as a vocation – and in failing to do so. Slow poison of politics FAILURE and disenchantment run through Season 4. The actors look older and try to act wiser. Some manage just that, but Nyborg herself repeatedly loses control. In a recent TV series, ‘The Political Talk Show – Borgen Special’, the host discussed the risk of breakdown with a leading news journalist who developed blood clots due to stress, a party leader who had suffered bouts of anxiety, and an actor who had been too much in the limelight. In the last show on April 6, the host talked to a female political journalist not unlike the female newsroom manager in the series, a former minister of foreign affairs, Martin Lidegaard, who had suggested to Price that rights to Greenland’s underground could be the fulcrum of the season, and to Price himself. This insider-outsider group discussed
politics as a slow poison, agreeing with Václav Havel that the best people in power are those who do not seek power, but adding, with the example of Nelson Mandela, that no-one achieves power without going for it. Problems with the polity THE SHOW ended with cheers for politicians, warts and all, but the fact remains that ‘Borgen’ points to real problems involved in the recruitment and retention of highly-skilled and principled politicians. For instance, on May 1, Nick Hækkerup suddenly resigned as justice minister in favour of a job in the private sector. He said he had been thinking about leaving politics for some time. Indian PM Narendra Modi was due to visit Denmark two days later. When Modi arrived, a new justice minister had been announced, received by the Queen, and installed in office in what appeared to be a smooth transition. Hækkerup comes from one of the foremost Danish political dynasties. His daughter subsequently announced that she will join politics, but how many resignations and in-house successions can a polity endure before it loses its lustre? Aristotelian by nature THE GREEK philosopher Plato was no fan of drama – he considered it a poor copy of the realm of pure ideas. In contrast, ‘Borgen’ sets up a series of mirrors in which the play, the actors, and real-life politicians mimic each other. Whereas Plato dismissed this hall of mirrors, Aristotle found virtue in the scope for reflection that drama creates.
DANISH NEWS IN ENGLISH | CPHPOST.DK
In that sense, ‘Borgen’ is Aristotelian. Drama makes a difference in making the polity visible. A fifth season of ‘Borgen’ may take the plot to Brussels. What type of regime will Nyborg face there, and what, one may ask, will a possible sixth and seventh season bring by the time that Nyborg has become Birgitte Gammelborg (‘Nyborg’ literally means ‘new castle’, ‘Gammelborg’ literally means ‘old castle’)? According to the diplomat Peter Taksøe-Jensen, one of the architects of Danish foreign policy, Western institutions face a serious challenge in the coming decades. Denmark, he has opined, may turn out to be the last bastion of democracy in a world that is increasingly bowing to the will of autocrats. But Price is not the gloomy type. Likewise, Nyborg does not give in. ‘Borgen’ would not disintegrate but evolve.
Stig Toft Madsen is a student of India/ Asia with an interest in Denmark/Europe. He lives in Christianshavn but moves around for birdwatching
INTERNATIONAL THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK
6 JULY - 11 AUGUST 2022
ONLINE THIS WEEK
RUSSIAN GAS WEAPON STRIKES AGAIN
Plans to wean the country off by 2035 will require solar and onshore wind energy production to quadruple by 2030, and offshore wind energy production to quintuple JARED PAOLINO
T
HE ENERGISTYRELSEN energy agency has warned that the country is at risk of a significantly deteriorating gas supply situation: a signal to players in the gas market to prepare for a real supply crisis. "This is a serious situation we are in, and it has worsened with the reduced supplies from Russia to the European gas market,” said Martin Hansen, the deputy head of Energistyrelsen.
German blow EARLIER last month, Gazprom announced it would not supply more gas to Ørsted – Denmark’s largest energy company. At the time, Energistyrelsen assured the public that the decision posed no threat to Denmark’s energy supply. However, Denmark continued to receive Russian gas via Germany – a supply that is now threatened by Russia reducing gas deliveries to Germany
via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline by 60 percent – without an explanation. New emergency plan ENERGISTYRELSEN has developed an emergency plan to ensure Danish homes are heated next winter – around 400,000 are reliant on gas today. The plan involves releasing emergency energy reserves and limiting the supply of gas to the highest-consuming companies. “Fortunately, we are robust in Denmark because we have a lot of green energy," said Hansen. Unfortunately, the likes of Germany, Italy, Austria and the Netherlands have all indicated they might revive their coal plants. Starts at home THE DANISH government is calling on people to reduce their own energy consumption. “You can use a little less hot water. And it's a good time to go through the house to see if it's well insulated for the winter,” said Hansen.
mark kan mere II' initiative. To do so, solar and onshore wind energy production will quadruple in 2030, and offshore wind energy production will quintuple. The government also hopes the European Commission can aid in creating measures that will halt any new installation of oil and gas boilers. Intrusion near Folkemødet IN RELATED news, Russia has entered Danish territory again, this time when a warship entered Danish waters not once, but twice, near Bornholm on June 16, the opening day of Folkemødet, the annual politics festival hosted by the Baltic island. It is not the first such Russian intrusion as a surveillance aircraft entered Danish airspace during the 2014 Folkemødet festival.
No more gas from 2035 MEANWHILE, a majority in the Danish Parliament has agreed to get rid of gas in Denmark by 2035 as part of the 'Dan-
“We won’t be bullied” “I think it’s telling that Russia decides to launch these provocations using military vessels while we in Denmark celebrate democracy and free speech at Folkemødet. It speaks volumes,” said the foreign minister Jeppe Kofod. “Let me say it clearly: Bullying methods don’t work with Denmark. We will not accept these kinds of Russian provocation.”
Roe woe felt by PM
Endorsed by Sentate
Øresund connectivity talks
PM METTE Frederiksen condemned the US Supreme Court’s decision to reverse the 1973 ‘Roe vs Wade’ ruling that gives US women the right to have an abortion. “My heart weeps for girls and women in the US. It’s a huge step back. The right to free abortion is one of the most fundamental rights that exists,” she wrote on Instagram.
ALAN LEVENTHAL’S appointment as the new US ambassador to Denmark has been approved by the US Senate in what was a unanimous decision. His appointment was announced in January. Leventhal, 69, is the chair and CEO of Beacon Capital Partners, a leading office property management firm in the US. He is known for his philanthropy in the Boston area.
SWEDEN and Denmark will consider three proposals for bringing greater connectivity across the Øresund. The proposals include a road and railway link between Helsingborg and Helsingør, a metro line connecting Copenhagen and Malmö, and the Europasporet – a tunnel between Copenhagen and Landskron used by freight, long-distance and regional trains.
DANISH NEWS IN ENGLISH | CPHPOST.DK
TWITTER/DMYTRO KULEBA
PIXABAY
"I told you not to park the pipeline in the council estate again"
Aid fund dispute
Mine investment scrutiny
JEPPE Kofod, the Danish foreign minister, has said that "some of the money" to rebuild Ukraine must come from Denmark’s development aid funds. However, Enhedslisten argues it will hit poor countries affected by conflict. Denmark has already allocated 2 billion kroner from its development aid funds to helping Ukrainian refugees.
DANISH companies AP Pension and Lærernes Pension have 11 million kroner invested in two Chinese battery companies, GEM and CATL, with links to a polluting nickel mine in Indonesia, reports Danwatch. The mine stands accused of causing local respiratory infections and drinking water contamination.
Funds for Ukraine embassy
THE DANISH government set aside 5 million kroner to support the Ukrainian Embassy in Copenhagen in June. The decision was in line with a national compromise on Danish security policy backed by a majority, which allocated 110 million kroner to the strengthening of Danish diplomacy. Encouraging Dutch trip
LAST MONTH, the Danish Crown Prince and Crown Princess visited the Netherlands to promote Danish-Dutch co-operation in the areas of the green energy transition and healthcare digitisation. The delegation also included Magnus Heunicke, the Danish health minister, as well as 29 Danish companies with expertise in renewable energy and healthcare technology. Former minister steps in
HOLGER K Nielsen, who served as tax minister from 2012 to 2013 and as foreign minister from 2013 to 2014, has been appointed the new special representative to spearhead the Danish campaign for a seat on the UN Security Council in 2025 and 2026. He will take the position on August 1, replacing Kristian Jensen, who resigned in April. German drowns
ON JUNE 19, a 65-year-old German man died after a drowning incident off the coast of west Jutland after he became separated from two swimming companions. Local rescue services resuscitated him, but he died later that night.
Prestigious visit double
TWO FOREIGN visits were made to the Danish Parliament on June 14. Estonian President Alar Karis first met with MPs to discuss the War in Ukraine, among other topics. Later, Shalva Papuashvili, the president of Georgia’s parliament, met with MPs to discuss the war, as well as Georgia’s democratic reforms. Doctor advice rejected
DANISH doctors have visited al-Roj prison camp – a Kurdish-controlled detention centre for IS members in northern Syria – and advised that three of the five Danish children residing there should be evacuated with their mothers. However, the Danish Foreign Ministry will only evacuate the children without their mothers, because they are no longer Danish citizens. Racism council critical
THE COUNCIL of Europe's racism commission has criticised Denmark’s treatment of undocumented migrants, arguing they must have access to "basic services” – regardless of whether they have legal residence. The Danish government contends that only migrants who legally live in Denmark have full access to basic services. North Atlantic mission
DENMARK is sending soldiers on a new NATO mission in the North Atlantic, as well as continuing its involvement in operations in Iraq and the Strait of Hormuz. Denmark will contribute a frigate of the Iver Huitfeldt class and up to 135 soldiers to the deterrence effort in the North Atlantic.
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NATIONAL THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK
6 JULY - 11 AUGUST 2022
INGER STØJBERG LAUNCHES NEW PARTY
ONLINE THIS WEEK
With so many Dansk Folkeparti MPs up for grabs, her timing would appear to be perfect
Never shies away STØJBERG was no stranger to controversy during her tenure as the immigration and integration minister, during which time she introduced countless anti-immigration laws. And her late 2021 impeachment trial and conviction, on charges of unlawful misconduct and the separation of asylum couples at refugee centres, pretty much made her notorious. But despite the infamy, Støjberg is quickly drumming up support. Already former Venstre MP Svend Madsen, who hails from Støjberg’s backyard in north Jutland, has said he wants to join. And it is believed many former members of Dansk Folkeparti will also join, including MPs Liselott Blixt, Karina Adsbøll and Bent Bøgsted.
PIXABAY
NEWS ØRESUND
"Where's your farking tool ... of course, my cakes came in handy for smuggling them in"
Alcohol sales increase
Consent effect?
SOME 8.4 litres of alcohol were sold per capita in 2021 – 7.6 percent more than the year before, reports Danmarks Statistik. Some 5 percent more cigarettes were sold, even though the proportion of 16 to 19-year-olds and 20 to 24-yearolds who smoke fell by 37 and 26 percent between 2017 and 2021 period – a decrease attributed to higher prices.
LAST YEAR, 1,455 sexual crimes were committed against people under the age of 20 in Denmark, according to a new report by Børns Vilkår and Trygfonden. Børns Vilkår head Rasmus Kjeldahl believes this record-high number is primarily attributable to an increase in the reporting of abuse as a result of the consent-based rape legislation introduced in 2020.
Still trusting the news
Voter declarations needed SOME 10 members have now abandoned the far-right Dansk Folkeparti, leaving the parliamentary group with
just six seats – less than half the number it acquired at the 2019 General Election. A further two of the remaining six members have announced they will not run again in 2023. The highest-profile of the recent MPs to leave is Søren Espersen, a member of DF since its creation, who confirmed his exit on June 25. However, neither Espersen, former DF chair Kristian Thulesen Dahl, who has said he will not run for DF in the next election, nor Martin Henriksen, who was beaten by Morten Messerschmidt for the post of DF chair in January, have said they will join Danmarksdemokraterne – yet. Meanwhile, Støjberg must first obtain the 20,182 voter declarations needed for her party to be eligible for next year’s general election. – as of last weekend, she is already halfway there. Needless to say, some are saying that Danmarksdemokraterne could very well end up being the final nail in the coffin of DF.
Free dental care for all?
Most drink-drivers are men
Royals leave school
TWO CITIZEN proposals that have both gathered the necessary 50,000 signatures propose free dental treatment and much longer parental leave for families who give birth to multiple children. It is respectively argued that 45 percent of people avoid the dentist due to the cost, and that parents of twins and triplets would really benefit from an extra 26 weeks to share.
SOME 91 percent of individuals charged with drink-driving between 2007 and 2021 were men, reports Danmarks Statistik. A quarter were aged 17-25. July is the most popular month for the offence, so it’s no surprise to note the police have announced a six-week summer crackdown. Meanwhile, drug driving cases soared from 100 in 2007 to more than 10,000 charges in 2021.
PRINCE Christian and Princess Isabella have left Herlufsholm following reports of bullying at the school. Furthermore, the Styrelsen for Undervisning og Kvalitet issued a harsh critique, stating the school had not lived up to its responsibility to protect the well-being of students. Where they will attend school in the autumn has yet to be determined. Very possibly, they’ll head abroad.
A NEW HEALTH agreement passed by Parliament asserts that parents must have access to a large portion of their children’s medical data, as they tend to be their primary care-givers. However, the policy change will take at least a couple of years to implement, according to a spokesperson for the health minister.
Municipally mature
Limit hike for students
End to bad blood saga?
Ukrainian dictionary popular
THE PROPORTION of people over the age of 50 working in the public sector has grown, according to Danmarks Statistik. At the municipalities, 38.8 percent are aged over 50 – up 3.2 percentage points since 2010. Meanwhile, there has been a 5 percent increase in the proportion of public sector workers who have an ethnic origin other than Danish.
FROM 1 January 2023, students in Denmark will be able to earn an extra 4,000 kroner a month without losing their SU state support. For those in higher education, the amount will rise to 17,876 and in youth education to 13,876. In related news, just 32.1 percent of young Danes had part-time jobs in 2020 – down from 38.2 percent in 2008.
THE GOVERNMENT is considering the nixing of a rule preventing men from donating blood if they have had sex with another man in the last four months. The rule, which has been criticised for being discriminatory, has existed since 2020. Previously, gay men were prohibited from donating blood at all – a policy implemented in 1988 when the AIDs epidemic was at its peak.
A NEW DANISH-UKRAINIAN dictionary developed by Aarhus University at lightning speed has been flying off the shelves since its release. A total of 650 have already been sold, along with 1,400 preorders. Since February, approximately 24,000 Ukrainian refugees have been given residency in Denmark.
BENEDICTE WAGNER
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HIS LAST year has been a whirlwind for Inger Støjberg – the former Venstre minister and deputy leader – and it seems that not even a 60-day prison sentence can stop her. On the morning of June 23, the rightwing politician confirmed the rumours that had been circulating since her name appeared on a list of new political parties released by the Danish government. “It is indeed me who has founded the new party Danmarksdemokraterne,” she told the gathered media “Civic common sense will be the focal point of the new party. Danmarksdemokraterne is not a protest party. On the contrary, if we are elected to the Folketing, we will enter into negotiations and conciliation.”
SOME 58 percent of Danes “trust most news most of the time”, according to the Digital News Report compiled by Reuters – one of the highest levels of trust among 46 nations surveyed. However, increasing numbers are shunning news or getting most of theirs from social media. In related news, the Culture Ministry has helped launch a joint action plan for the protection of journalists. Four more years
COPENHAGEN Court has sentenced a 49-year-old woman to four years and a month in prison for laundering almost 30 billion kroner between 2008 and 2016. It is believed Camilla Christiansen, who is already serving a four year sentence for another money laundering conviction, ran her operation via Danske Bank's Estonian branch – primarily servicing rich Russians. Parental access to records
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DANISH NEWS IN ENGLISH | CPHPOST.DK
Alleviating the pressure
THE GOVERNMENT has proposed a limit on entry requirements for higher education institutions, suggesting 10 would be an appropriate average to request. PM Mette Frederiksen contends this would alleviate some of the pressure to focus on grades above all else. The highest attainable score is 12, making 10 the equivalent of a ‘B’ grade. Light rail too noisy
THE ODENSE Letbane, a new light rail system that opened in the city in May, has received over 140 noise complaints. The engineering company Cowi has since investigated the matter, finding that the tram exceeds municipal noise limits at several locations along its route. NemID crash
NEMID was next to useless for half a week following a crash on June 22. Soon to be defunct – once MitID completely takes over on November 1 – NemID is needed to access online accounts related to banking, taxes, government documents, email and medical records. Girl raped at Folkemødet
A 17-YEAR-OLD girl was raped during this year’s Folkemødet, the politics festival in Allinge on the island of Bornholm. A man in his 20s is currently in custody, although he has pleaded not guilty and appealed against the imprisonment decision. Rural loan law passed
PARLIAMENT has passed a new law allowing Danes to take out loans with state guarantees for homes in rural areas. Previously, loan requests for rural homes faced a disproportionately high rejection rate. The new law kicks in from July 1.
SPORT THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK
6 JULY - 11 AUGUST 2022
ROASTED: ON THE WATER AND ONLINE
ONLINE THIS WEEK KØBENHAVNS KOMMUNE
Red and whites vilified for backpasses upon 30th anniversary of Denmark’s biggest sporting accomplishment CHRISTIAN WENANDE
V
ARIOUS sports websites, including givemesport.com, sportbible. com and besoccer.com, took the opportunity of the 30th anniversary of Denmark’s triumph at Euro 1992 to pour scorn on Denmark’s tactics in the final in which it defeated Germany 2-0. Several of the triumphant players – including Flemming Povlsen, Henrik Larsen and goalscorer John ‘Faxe’ Jensen – took to the canals of Copenhagen for a pleasure cruise with their wives to reflect on their victory at the Ullevi Stadium in Gothenburg on 26 June 1992, but little did they know they were being roasted online. Much was made of the number of backpasses made by Danish players to their goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel in what was the last ever competitive game to permit the play. From the 1992-93 season onwards, goalkeepers were no longer allowed to handle passes from their team-mates played with their feet – a rule decided upon in the aftermath of the 1990 World Cup.
30 years ago: different players but same keeper, more or less
Victory lives on STILL the criticism won’t have irked the celebratory Danish players much. Their victory lives on as the country's biggest sporting accomplishment. Often referred to as one of the biggest underdog runs in sports history, the Danes replaced war-torn Yugoslavia in the tournament before embarking on a fairy-tale that HC Andersen would’ve been proud of. No doubt there were some cold beers on hand on a roasting day, as well as a bit of canal-side humour. “Deutschland, Deutschland, alles ist vorbei,” was one of the tunes heard, just as it had been 30 years ago when the Germans were defeated.
Against the odds NO-ONE gave the 92 team a chance of progressing from a tough group featuring England, France and hosts Sweden. Especially since their best player Michael Laudrup was missing after falling out with coach Richard Møller Nielsen. But somehow they overcame indomitable odds and found themselves facing the defending Dutch champions in the semi-finals. Ruud Gullit, Marco Van Basten, Frank Rijkaard and co were dispatched in a nervy penalty shootout. And in the final against 1990 World Cup holders Germany, an outstanding Peter Schmeichel and a wonder crack from John ‘Faxe’ Jensen helped bring glory to the Danes.
Plenty of transfers
Fastest man again
SEVERAL high-profile transfers involving Danish players and clubs have already taken place, including Alexander Bah (Slavia Prague to Benfica), Jens Stryger Larsen (Udinese to Trabzonspor) Philip Zinckernagel (Watford to Olympiakos), Jens Odgaard (Sassulo to AZ Alkmaar), Oscar Fraulo (FCM to Borussia Mönchengladbach), Jens Stage (FCK to Werder Bremen) and Simon Adingra (FCN to Brighton).
KOJO MUSAH cemented his position as the fastest man in Denmark by once again winning the 100m sprint at the Danish national championships. Musah ran a time of 10.28 seconds for his third straight title. In the women's race, Mathilde Kramer won with a time of 11.64 seconds.
Brøndby #1 financially
ACCORDING to business media Off The Pitch, Brøndby is the most financially-sustainable club in European football. Brøndby had an EBITDA margin of 25 percent and a return-on-assets of 24 percent, putting it ahead overall. Brescia, Malmö FF, Atalanta and Club Brugge completed the top five. Viktor for a seventh time
WORLD number one badminton player Viktor Axelsen recently won the Indonesia Open, beating Zhao Junpeng of China 21-9, 21-10 – his eighth Super 1000 final in a row, of which he has won seven.
Slim hopes of winning
DENMARK is once again in the top 10 of the FIFA World Ranking, but only has a 2.03 percent chance of winning the next World Cup, according to a supercomputer calculation by theanalyst.com. France (18.0), Brazil (15.7) and Spain (11.5) are the most fancied. Bookmakers generally rate Denmark a 3 percent chance. Danes out early at Wimbledon
CLARA Tauson retired injured in the first round of Wimbledon. Trailing 1-4 to Japanese qualifier Mai Hontama, she conceded after failing to shake off the re-emergence of the back injury that sidelined her two months ago. Meanwhile, Holger Rune lost his first round match in straight sets 3-6, 5-7, 4-6 to Marcos Giron of the US.
COPENHAGEN POST
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SCIENCE THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK
6 JULY - 11 AUGUST 2022
FOURTH CORONA VACCINE FOR OVER-50S
ONLINE THIS WEEK
In related news, there are high hopes for the new Pfizer medication, but it might be a hard pill to swallow if negotiations don’t speed up JARED PAOLINO
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MINORITY continue to quote ‘The Matrix’ when they explain why they have taken the ‘red pill’ and chosen not to get vaccinated against corona. But soon, thanks to Pfizer, we will all have a ‘blue pill’ to protect us – providing it’s available once demand starts to climb again. The fourth vaccine will help, of course. From October 1, everyone in Denmark over the age of 50 will be offered one. Certain vulnerable groups, such as nursing home residents and senior citizens, will be offered a fourth jab as soon as mid-September. Other at-risk individuals under the age of 50, such as those with weakened immune systems, may also be eligible to receive the booster at the discretion of their GP.
come the autumn. “We have a new variant that is spreading rapidly in Europe and Denmark. The health authorities assess that BA.5 is more contagious than the Omicron variant we have had,” said PM Mette Frederiksen. However, Henrik Ullum, the head of the Statens Serum Institut, said there was no need to panic, as the new variant “does not seem to make us sicker, and the vaccines protect well against serious illness and hospitalisation". Testing will also return, but there will be no fast options. Should the country need them, Denmark will have the capacity to carry out 200,000 PCR tests a day.
an epidemiologist at Roskilde University, according to TV2. The availability of Paxlovid is also uncertain. While it was released last November with glowing reviews from the World Health Organization, much will depend on the EU. Its negotiations with Pfizer have stalled of late, with the Sundhedsstyrelsen health authority ready to sign a deal for Denmark alone
No reason to panic THE DECISION to step up vaccination efforts is being made in response to the increased spread of the BA.5 variant, which has some epidemiologists predicting that infection rates will increase
Pfizer’s elusive pill ANOTHER safeguard is Pfizer’s pill Paxlovid (a course of two pills every 12 hours for five days), which will hopefully be available by the autumn. It reduces the risk of mortality and hospitalisation by 89 percent – or at least in theory, as the success rate is dependent on the patient taking the pills within days of contracting the disease. If they wait too long, it will be next to useless. “It is so far unclear where you can get the pill, who can get the pill, and whether you can get it after a positive home test. It is also unknown what the price will be,” queried Lone Simonsen,
Expenditure quadrupled IN OTHER corona-related news, Sundhedsstyrelsen accepts that vaccines will no longer be offered to children, as the efforts did little to slow the spread of the virus last autumn and winter. A VIVE study reveals that the testing of care centre and homecare staff intensified after the epidemic had already peaked in January, by which time the damage had already been done. And finally, it has been revealed that 2021 expenditure relating to COVID-19 totalled 20.1 billion kroner – nearly a tenth of the 270.8 billion spent on healthcare in Denmark, which itself rose by 25.5 billion. The final total was almost exactly four times the 5.1 billion spent in 2020. Some 12.5 billion was spent on testing and detection, compared to 1.7 billion in 2020. While the cost of vaccinations totalled 4.4 billion kroner.
Havoc-wreaking ants
New DTU research centre
More surviving cancer
A NEW SPECIES of invasive garden ant is likely to arrive in Denmark this summer and “wreak havoc”, according to the University of Copenhagen. The ant can form colonies 10 to 100 times larger than the common black garden ant. In related news, the Nordic wood sap fly, a species not sighted in Denmark since 1850, has been spotted in the Stenderup Forests in south Jutland.
A NEW RESEARCH centre has been established at DTU with the aim of achieving ‘absolute sustainability’ in technology, product development and human behaviour. The centre, named the DTU Centre for Absolute Sustainability, will specifically focus on the development of new methodologies and measurement techniques to evaluate different paths toward sustainability.
MORE DANES are surviving cancer. One year after receiving their diagnoses, women and men had an 85 and 82 percent survival rate respectively in the 2018-2020 period – a 10 and 9 percentage point increase compared to the 2006-2008 period, according to Cancerregisteret data. Five years after their diagnoses, the survival rates were 11 percentage points higher.
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DANISH NEWS IN ENGLISH | CPHPOST.DK
PIXABAY
PIXABAY
"Front row in another marketing photo: what are the odds?"
Small glaciers melting faster
Huge population record
A STUDY led by DTU Space has shown that the melting of small glaciers in northern Greenland has increased by 55 percent over the past two decades. In related news, a new population of polar bears has been discovered in southeast Greenland, where they are surviving despite the absence of sea ice.
RESEARCHERS from the University of Copenhagen, the National Archives and the Copenhagen City Archives have assembled Denmark’s largest ever historic population record. The data – now available to the public – was compiled from censuses, church registers and funeral records dating back to 1787.
Parenting via social media
Cheese from pea proteins
MANY MOTHERS turn to social media to seek advice regarding parenting and their child’s development, claims a new study from the University of Copenhagen. According to its findings, this social media use can both create a feeling of community and adversely affect mothers’ confidence in their parenting ability.
RESEARCHERS at the University of Copenhagen have developed a tasteless cheese-like gel out of pea proteins. They now hope to identify the perfect fermentation process to give it that real cheese taste, which they say can’t be matched by other non-dairy substitutes, such as those developed from coconut oil or nuts.
Precise co-ordinates
EXPERTS at DTU helped to settle the historic border dispute between Canada and Denmark by determining its precise co-ordinates, as well aiding in the application and interpretation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Listeria kills three
THREE elderly people lost their lives to a listeria outbreak in Denmark in May. Some 15 infections were registered across the country – a considerably higher amount than the usual four per month. Cold cuts and cold smoked fish are the most likely sources; the elderly and pregnant are most at risk. Bird flu to blame
A LARGE number of dead seabirds found on the west coast of Denmark were the victims of bird flu, according to Fødevarestyrelsen. The birds most likely waded in the waters off the coast of Britain, but then floated all the way to Denmark. Power-to-X handouts
DANMARKS Erhvervsfremmebestyrelse has allocated 225 million kroner to 14 projects in the area of Power-to-X technology to produce hydrogen fuel. In total, there were 19 applications. The biggest beneficiary received 88.8 million kroner.
Quantum analysis aid
DTU RESEARCHERS have become the first in the world to use a quantum computer to analyse an electricity grid. Encouraged by the efficacy of their novel approach, they have turned their attention to investigating how quantum computers can provide real-time knowledge of an electricity grid based entirely on renewable energy. Trucks use their own brains
A NEW PROJECT funded by Horizon Europe is seeking to develop high-performance power converters for heavy duty electric transport, and Aarhus University researchers are at the forefront of the effort. A ‘brain’ in the trucks enables energy to be quickly and efficiently transferred from the battery to the engine. Understanding why we die
A GROUP of researchers at Aarhus University has just published the most comprehensive survey to date of the mortality of more than 1,800 diseases. Dubbed 'The Danish Atlas of Disease Mortality', it is based on the data of 7.4 million people between 2000 and 2018. The data should help doctors make more accurate prognoses.
CULTURE THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK
6 JULY - 11 AUGUST 2022
NO RUNESTONE COWBOYS HERE!
ONLINE THIS WEEK ROMAN KRAFT
AJEPBAH
Foreign artefact law change
IT IS NOW a criminal offence to import cultural objects illegally removed from their country of origin. Violators face up to two years in prison. The culture minister, Ane Halsboe-Jørgensen, said the illegal trade was often “accompanied by destruction and looting, generating revenue for criminals and terrorist organisations.” The overture at last
BT to stop printing
DANISH tabloid BT will be entirely digital from January 2023. Print is “no longer financially sustainable” according to editor-in-chief Pernille Holbøll. Encouraged by “explosive digital” growth since 2018, it is “focusing on being the best where most Danes are: their mobile phones". It is closing down offices in Aarhus, Odense and Aalborg, and many redundancies are expected. Wipe and swipe
Jelling's got competition, but we're not sure the name's very catchy ...
Couple renovating kitchen turn down neighbour’s offer to smash up original floor, instead revealing a historic relic that might predate the Jelling Stones
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“The more floor we removed, the larger the stone became. I'm a little proud that it was found here, and that we managed to get it transported out in one piece,” Brandt told DR. Fortunately, they turned down a neighbour's offer to cut the stone into pieces and lifted it out with a mini crane. An amateur archaeologist then noticed the runes in a picture shared on Facebook
Lifted out with crane LENE BRANDT and her husband Anders Nielsen discovered the stone when they removed part of the floor of their kitchen.
Denmark’s Robert Langdon THE COUPLE contacted Museum Østjylland, who reached out to Lisbeth Imer, a runologist at the National Museum in Copenhagen, to decipher the inscriptions on the stone. The stone will now be included in the National Museum's official collection, with the possibility of it later being lent to Museum Østjylland for an exhibition. It has been named "Mosekærstenen"
JARED PAOLINO
1,200-YEAR-OLD runestone has been discovered beneath a property near Randers by a couple renovating their kitchen. The discovery is two metres long, 80 cm wide, weighs almost 900 kilos, and may be older than Denmark’s famous 10th century Jelling Stones, which lie approximately 80 km south of the discovery.
after the village of Mosekær in which it was discovered. Scrutiny of the bounty MOSEKÆRSTENEN is the 44th rune stone found in the area around Brandt and Nielsen’s home, but it is the first since 1995, when one was discovered during construction work at Borup Church north of Randers. Under the Law of Danefæ, which ensures that important finds from Denmark's past are preserved for future generations, Mosekærstenen now belongs to the state. However, it is possible to receive a so-called Danefæ Bounty – the amount of which is determined by the National Museum according to the rarity and material value of the find. Brandt and Nielsen are still waiting to find out if the Danefæ Bounty will cover the cost of their kitchen renovation.
DANISH NEWS IN ENGLISH | CPHPOST.DK
THE AUTHORITIES in Riis Skov, a forest near Aarhus, are finding out the hard way that it’s difficult to stop passers-by taking a shit in the woods because their signposts keep on getting stolen. While the signs only cost Aarhus Municipality 45 kroner to replace, the “man hours can be expensive”, an employee told TV2. New refugee museum
FLUGT, a new museum dedicated to the history of Danish-bound refugees, last week opened at the site of the former Oksbølle refugee camp in west Jutland. Among the new buildings designed by the Bjarke Ingels Group is a Corten steel-clad hall with 110 glulam rafters. Each one is unique, rather like the stories the refugees tell in the exhibitions. Top comedian in town
BRITISH comedian Jason Manford is performing at Bremen Teater on March 8 next year. Tickets cost 250 kroner.
DR HAS confirmed that ‘Orkestret’ (‘The Orchestra’), a new comedy series postponed last November due to its similarities to the scandal that engulfed the DR Pigekoret girls’ choir last year, will make its debut on July 1. ‘Orkestret’ was written by ‘Borgen’ creator Adam Price. It was originally due to premiere on January 1. Sold at a loss
DEN BLÅ Avis reported there were many more tickets on sale for the Roskilde Festival than is normal – mostly at prices well below what they were bought for. Some of the 2,250 kroner tickets were selling for as little as 1,350! Some of the sellers were graduating students, while others had pre-booked holidays or had become pregnant. Volunteer shortage
THE ROSKILDE Festival this year struggled to recruit the necessary 30,000 volunteers it needs to make the event run smoothly – a trend seen among most outdoor festivals this year. It is thought it came up 2,000 short. The recently-held Skive Festival and Thy Festival also struggled to recruit their desired numbers. New head at CC
MARIE Laurberg, the current art director at Kunstmuseum Brandts, has been named the new director of Copenhagen Contemporary. She will take over on August 1.
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BUSINESS THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK
6 JULY - 11 AUGUST 2022
FOR EVERY 50 CENTS, TIVOLI SEES A DOLLAR
ONLINE THIS WEEK PIXABAY
GEORGE REX/FLICKR)
Lego tops brand ranking
Danfoss under investigation
LEGO, at 38.7 billion kroner, is now the most valuable Danish brand, according to Brand Finance. Up 13 percent from 2022, the iconic toy company has surpassed Maersk (31.1 billion). Meanwhile, Denmark has fallen three spots down Brand Finance’s Global Soft Power Index.
DANFOSS has been put under investigation for possible violations of EU sanctions against Russia. In May, it was announced that Danfoss, along with its Russian subsidiary AO Ridan, was selling and delivering products to the Russian navy and army. Danfoss says it was following the correct procedures, but cannot confirm AO Ridan was.
Large SAS strike brewing
And to be fair, it looks a million dollars in this pic
Themepark now predicting a profit for 2022 following a great start to its Summer Season BENEDICTE WAGNER
I
T LOOKS like Tivoli might have under-estimated the overwhelming desire of the Danish people to go out again now that the COVID-19 pandemic is in the rear-view mirror. First up, it got its sums wrong over FredagsRock. Far more turned up than expected, causing disruption at the perimeter of the themepark. Damage was even caused to some of the fences.
And now it has had to alter its 2022 revenue estimate. Previously expecting a loss, it projects a small profit thanks to a brilliant opening to its main 'Summer Season'. Fine margins SINCE opening its gates on April 8, more guests have visited Tivoli than previously expected. In its last set of annual accounts, the themepark projected 2022 revenue of about 800-900 million kroner, which would have caused a loss. However, this has now been raised to 850-950 million: a result that would land
Tivoli a pre-tax profit of 25-50 million. Tiny bit of caution ACCORDING to Susanne Mørch Koch, Tivoli’s administration director, there is optimism the crowds will continue over the course of the summer. Case in point: a concert featuring US rapper 50 Cent this coming Friday has already sold out. Nevertheless, it remains cautious. Tourist numbers remain low, and the cost of living has soared, and this could still dampen expectations, Tivoli concedes.
Airbnb a good fit
Finally top of IMD ranking
Workplace bullying to blame
COPENHAGEN may be one of the best cities in Europe to host an Airbnb, according to an analysis by Uswitch, a UK-based price comparison service. Copenhagen came sixth in terms of total earnings, netting the city’s Airbnb hosts an average monthly revenue of 6,351 euros – around 47,000 kroner. London, Paris, Munich, Dublin and Milan made up the top five.
DENMARK has for the first time topped the World Competitiveness Ranking, a list published annually by the IMD Business School in Switzerland that assesses 63 economies. It praised Denmark’s “aggressive” sustainability stance. Denmark ranked third in 2021 and second in 2020. Switzerland, Singapore, Sweden and Hong Kong completed the top five. Venezuela was last, preceded by Argentina, Mongolia and South Africa.
VICTIMS of bullying at work are 1.7 times more likely to commit suicide, according to a study by the National Research Centre for Work Environment and the University of Copenhagen. Around ten percent of the participants have experienced bullying during the last year. Male victims of bullying are three times more likely to kill themselves than those who are not bullied.
More security staff at airport
More staff, but not enough
Tourists flocking back
COPENHAGEN Airport recently introduced more than 300 staff to its security check area – primarily to address the delays faced by travellers in April, May and June during busy periods when they have often had to queue for more than 40 minutes. Their employment and training takes the number of security staff to pre-pandemic levels seen in 2019.
EMPLOYMENT rates at hotels and restaurants have returned to pre-pandemic rates, confirms Horesta, the industry interest group. In April there were 127,300 employees – an increase on the same month in 2019, according to Danmarks Statistik, which is expected to rise, as 54 and 67 percent of restaurants and hotels are missing out on revenue due to labour shortages.
NOT ONLY are more people in Denmark expected to travel abroad this summer, but Dansk Erhverv is predicting a great holiday period for domestic tourism. In a nutshell: the Germans are back. Overnight stays up until April have been surpassing pre-pandemic figures in 2019, according to Danmarks Statistik. Nevertheless, labour shortages are a problem.
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DANISH NEWS IN ENGLISH | CPHPOST.DK
SAS COULD face a large strike on July 5, if its mechanics choose to join around 1,000 pilots out of sympathy with their pay and working conditions. The pilots’ trade union, Dansk Pilotforening, has been trying in vain to reach a new labour agreement with SAS since the previous agreement ended on April 1. Consumers left hanging
ACCORDING to Danmarks Statistik, prices were 7.4 percent higher in May than a year earlier, but Denmark has spent less than neighbouring European countries, including Germany and Sweden, on compensating citizens for these price increases. SF has criticised Denmark's lack of support as "unacceptable". Former mayor takes top job
JENS KRAMMER Mikkelsen, the mayor of Copenhagen from 19892004, has replaced Peter Højland as chair of tourism organisation Wonderful Copenhagen. His new employer said Mikkelsen’s experience as mayor makes him a great fit for the position. Shoppers more discerning
SOME 46 percent of the public plan to reduce their food waste within the next few months, according to Too Good to Go – an app that helps restaurants and supermarkets to sell products near their expiry date. Too Good to Go manager Heidi Boye predicts consumers will be far more discerning when buying groceries. Jyske Bank triumphant
SEVERAL banks, including Spar Nord and Vestjysk Bank, put their names forward as potential buyers of the Danish sector of Handelsbanken, but it was Jyske Bank who eventually came away as the purchaser. Jyske Bank hopes that the takeover will allow its output to increase by 10 percent in 2024.
Radical plan to curb debt
MPS HAVE backed plans to reduce the amount of debt resulting from tax and police fines. An estimated 20 percent of Danes have public debt. As of 2021, this totalled 124 billion kroner. According to the plan, the debt will be deducted from the income of those who have not yet paid their debt. C25 suffers huge drop
2022 HAS NOT been an easy year for the C25-index – the top-tier stock market index of the 25 most traded stocks on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange – which recently experienced its seventh largest fall ever. The fall was blamed on rising interest rates thanks to the American Federal Reserve. Rockwool and GN Store Nord were the hardest hit stocks. Online payment perils
AROUND 30 percent of the country's consumers have postponed their online payments within the last three years, according to a Forbrugerrådet Tænk survey. Anja Philip, the chair of Forbrugerrådet Tænk, strongly advises against postponing payments. Others have suggested implementing a 48-hour cancellation window to allow consumers to reflect on their decision. Russian payment issues
DUE TO sanctions on many Russian banks, some Danish companies are now unable to receive funds held in Russia. Shipping company Lauritzen Bulkers, for example, is owed 1.7 million kroner by a Russian customer for business predating the War in Ukraine. Dansk Industri has received similar complaints from other Danish companies.
BUSINESS OPINION THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK
6 JULY - 11 AUGUST 2022
May have been better IN EARLY 2020, Theresa May tried to get a Brexit bill through Parliament several times. This included a backstop whereby Britain would not leave the customs union until an alternative arrangement for Northern Ireland was found. For all her limitations as a politician, May tried to sincerely grapple with this particular hot potato. It was no surprise that May’s plan was rejected by Conservative hardliners, who see legal sovereignty in absolutist terms. More puzzling was that Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the SNP
Bo-Jo only so-so WITH MAY unable to move the ball forward, her colleagues broke the emergency glass and replaced her with Boris Johnson, who decided that the country needed a clean break and “got Brexit done”by ignoring previous assurances to Northern Irish unionists, and agreeing to a The piece fits however out of shape it might be regulatory border in the Irish sea. UK to sleepwalk into a full break the rest of the UK is being hit too. This is now creating entirely with the EU. With COVID on the retreat, we now foreseeable (and foreseen) probOther solutions, involving have a better idea of the impact lems. By allowing Johnson in, the membership of the single mar- Brexit has caused. Trade with the opposition parties ensured that ket and/or the customs union, EU has plummeted, investment is they did not get the more practical or a deeper relationship with the down, and studies show that Brexit Brexit they claimed they wanted. EU were not only possible, but has added to inflation. It is neither far more aligned with what was the time nor the place to relitigate promised during the campaign, the Brexit campaign. Asleep at the wheel THIS SLICE of modern histo- in which the benefits of the single However, with discussions ry shows how indifference to market were uncontentious. surrounding the Northern Irish Northern Ireland, goalposts being protocol, the time is right to moved, poor opposition tactical Full effects on show now critique the implementation of decisions and an amorphous NORTHERN Ireland is at the fore- Brexit, and wake up from this concept of sovereignty led the front of the societal impact, but sleepwalking.
NEIL SMITH DANISH CAPITAL IN 2022 Neil is a Scottish-educated lawyer with 18 years’ experience in corporate structuring and general commercial matters. Based in Copenhagen, he primarily advises on international deals. Out of the office, his interests include sports and politics. His column explores topical international financial and economic issues from a Danish perspective.
GIVE YOURSELF A CHANCE
Clueless about my skills WELL, mine started when I moved to Denmark in 2013 to begin a new life with my ex-wife, at which point my only professional experience came from two internships: one at Siemens Energy, and the other for the Danish government in my homeland Brazil. I had no idea of my skills and potential, I didn't speak Danish (I'm still not very good at it, btw) and I had no idea what I could offer Danish companies/employers. I felt lost, and my self-esteem was in tatters.
Carlos started a business through denmarkbrazil. com, but while his blog survives, he has left for pastures new and is now the founder of EVOLVE, a provider of innovative marketing solutions to tech and retail commerce companies. Carlos seeks to inspire many on a vast range of topics, from digital transformation and mental health to the future of work in the 4th industrial revolution.
Blindly applying STILL, it was exciting; everything felt fresh and I lived life as a tourist. Having a blog and creating content gave me meaning and strength when the going got tough, but it didn't pay my bills.
CARLOS MONTEIRO
NEXT ISSUE
Stress Wärnings
IN 2 ISSUES
Soon real-life came calling, and I felt the need to really work and integrate. I applied for more than 300 jobs and contacted over 600 people. Targeted connections ONE DAY I stumbled upon an article about relationship building on LinkedIN. I decided to give it a go. After all, my results had been relatively poor. So here is what I did: I would contact the decision-makers with a follow-up email after applying for a job. My note said: "Dear John Doe, I'm Carlos, and it's a pleasure to e-meet you. I have a blog where I publish content about the Brazilian economy. I'd be happy to connect and receive your candid feedback." And then after connecting, I'd send a thank you note. Quintupled my network THE RESULTS? Well, my network
IN 3 ISSUES
Fit For Business
The Valley of Life
Winnie's World
UK-DK Trade
DANISH NEWS IN ENGLISH | CPHPOST.DK
went from 300 to about 1,500 (now with many Danish decision-makers included). I was getting comments and DMs interested in my content about how to start or develop business in Brazil and, in January 2014, I closed my first deal to help a Danish lighting design company enter Brazil. And that is how I started my ‘professional life’ in Denmark. Discovering a path OF COURSE, I made a few mistakes along the way (see factbox). So I can't really say I chose a career path. Instead, I discovered one for myself. It took me a long time to learn about my unique strengths, weaknesses and blind spots. But eventually in 2015 I made a decision. And since then I've been working with companies in the digital commerce space. So, how did you choose or build your career?
PIXABAY
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OW DID you choose your career path?
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and Northern Irish unionists voted against it. May’s plan was not perfect by any means, but it kept alive the possibility of a softer Brexit.
IKE THE inversion of Mike Campbell in Hemingway’s ‘The Sun Also Rises’, the United Kingdom ended at a Hard Brexit suddenly, and then gradually. The big bang was the vote six years ago, but that did not have to mean an absolutist clean break. That was instead the result of an accumulation of constant framing and tactical misjudgements.
Top tip: take the right turns
MY MISTAKES - I didn't focus on a specific market or niche - I wasn't specific to whom I was writing - I didn't focus on relationship building - I spammed perhaps too many people* *Please forgive me if you were one of them!
IN 4 ISSUES
Just Say It As It Is
Get Your Biering's
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OPINION THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK
6 JULY - 11 AUGUST 2022
STEPHEN GADD
Straight, No Chaser An Englishman abroad, Stephen has lived and worked in Denmark since 1978. His interests include music, art, cooking, real ale, politics and cats.
STEEN VIVE UNION VIEWS Steen is senior advisor at Djøf, the Danish Association of Lawyers and Economists. He is a blogger and manager of various projects aimed at generating jobs in the private sector. In this column he writes about trends and tendencies in the labour market. Follow him on Twitter @SteenVive.
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TUDIES show that most workplace co-operations take place between colleagues who work near one another. We are less likely to involve colleagues whom we rarely see. We have a proximity bias. A bias at tipping point PROXIMITY bias is when, consciously or unconsciously, we orientate ourselves towards the people who are physically near us. There might be a colleague in another department who would be a better choice to ask, but it doesn’t occur to us. We have a blind spot: a bias. This is not a new discovery. But at a time when some of us are at the office while others work from home, it is as relevant as ever. There is a growing risk that we will staff our assignments ineffectively, without making best use of the available expertise, knowledge and skills.
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It’s invaluable PASSIVE face-time is about being seen, met and recognised. Its effect on cohesive collaboration is invaluable. When working from home, we do not meet others as often as we do in the office. We lose the passive face-time opportunities. So how do we compensate for this loss? How can we create passive face-time opportunities? See the factbox for a few suggestions.
COUNTER-MEASURES: Recognise the existence and risk of proximity bias, and talk about it. Ensure everyone is involved at hybrid meetings. When you ask for input, start with the colleagues attending digitally.
#HeadmasterToo! IN THE spirit of #MeToo, various alumni have come out of the woodwork to tell their stories of bullying, arcane rituals and a culture of omerta under which incidents reported to staff appear to have been brushed under the carpet. At first the school admitted to some blame, but assured journalists and parents that a program was in place to prevent further incidents. However, as the revelations continued to tumble out, the headmaster was forced to resign. The school set up an enquiry through a legal firm that will investigate incidents over the last four years. That rather indicates a damage limitation exercise. #GovernorsToo! IN A SURPRISE announcement on Facebook over the weekend of June 25-26, Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary announced their son Prince Christian would not be returning after the summer holidays and Princess Isabella would not be starting at the school. Mary is the founder of the Mary Fund,
which is dedicated to combatting bullying. Since the revelations began, public pressure has been increasing on her to remove the children – particularly in the wake of an extremely critical draft report from the STUK national agency for education and quality, which led to the resignation of the school’s governing body. The real surprise was that it had taken the royals so long to act. #PrefectsNext? AS A BRIT, what struck me most about all this is not that the bullying happens, but why nobody has gone public and made a fuss before. Winchester College (founded in 1382), Eton College (1440) and Harrow School (1572) all have an extremely hierarchical structure that gives the oldest boys almost unlimited powers as prefects presiding over the younger ones. Younger boys are expected to act as servants to the prefects. This is obviously a way of imposing a certain structure and culture of obedience and deference to tradition, but is this really in tune with modern educational thinking? #NoteFromLindsayA IN LINDSAY Anderson’s film ‘If ....’ the prefects are called whips and the smaller boys have to learn a strange school argot with special words for everything, along
Establish a framework for informal meetings, such as a virtual morning coffee every Friday.
with the nicknames of the teachers. If when questioned by a prefect they get it wrong, they are collectively punished, so there is a lot of group pressure on the vulnerable new boy. The headmaster feebly tries to argue that this is a progressive school that respects all points of view and, indeed, encourages alternative thinking, but events prove otherwise. After three of the ‘dissenters’ have been given a particularly savage beating, the film ends with a fantasy sequence in which the three boys and a girl who has mysteriously joined them, with a cache of arms discovered when they are forced to clear out a cellar, sit up on the roof and open fire on the crowd, teachers and other boys after the Founder’s Day ceremony. #EndOfDays SCHOOLS with a long tradition should take a long, hard look at whether it is still fit for purpose in this day and age. Parents should also listen to the children and not be afraid of taking matters up with the school. One thing that perhaps says it all was that some parents of pupils expelled with fairly cast-iron evidence complained to the school for damaging their child’s reputation! Clearly it’s time to bring these things out in the open. It’s the only way to stop this insidious culture. FACEBOOK/HERLUFSHOLM
Key passive face-time RESEARCHERS point to two types of communication in the workplace. There is ‘active face-time’, when we communicate in direct conversations and meetings – often in formal settings. And there is ‘passive face-time’, when we give attention and recognition in spontaneous encounters – for example, when you
say to someone, in passing: “Good morning – good to see you.”
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HE LAST month or so has seen a flood of articles and a TV2 documentary about Herlufsholm, the country’s oldest and most illustrious school, which was founded in 1135 by the Danish naval hero Herluf Trolle and his wife.
Make an effort to stay in contact if you often work at a distance. Use chat features or services to encourage informal communication. Seek advice when you staff a task. Have you overlooked somebody who a colleague would definitely include?
School Speech Day at Herlufsholm. If ... only there was a surprise guest or two
DANISH NEWS IN ENGLISH | CPHPOST.DK
OPINION THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK
6 JULY - 11 AUGUST 2022
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JESSICA ALEXANDER
Mackindergarten
The Road Less Taken
ADRIAN MACKINDER
Jessica is a bestselling US author, Danish parenting expert, columnist, speaker and cultural researcher. Her work has been featured in TIME, The Huffington Post, The Atlantic and The NY Times, among others. She graduated with a BS in psychology and speaks four languages. Follow Jessica on IG @jessicajoelle_ or jessicajoellealexander.com.
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HEN I READ about the Supreme Court overturning a woman’s right to an abortion last month in the US, I had a familiar feeling in the pit of my stomach. It’s one I have grown accustomed to processing things happening in America over the last few years: a feeling of dread, unease, confusion and fear. An unwanted seed of incomprehensible disbelief has been planted that so many of us wish, for innumerous reasons, we could abort. But, according to law, we can’t.
‘Land of the Free’ no longer I WRITE about the ‘Danish Way of Parenting and Education’, and one of the main tenets is to teach our children they have the right to decide over their own bodies: they have a right to a voice; be aware when something feels wrong. You will be heard and respected. As a mom raising kids across several cultures, these values have been especially important for me. I want both my kids to know how to exercise their rights over their own bodies wherever they are. And yet, in 2022, grown women in America who are being raised to be
strong, to be respected and to say no when something is not okay, are being forced into the back seat of their own bodies should they find themselves in the difficult situation of an unwanted pregnancy. Once an impossible idea to even conceive has become a reality. The government now has the power to tell our girls they must bear children even if it is against their own wishes. More backstreet abortions AMNESTY International sees this decision as a turning point following nearly 50 years of protection of women’s rights in the United States, endangering the lives and health of millions of girls and women. Factually, we know that banning abortions does not abolish abortions. It only increases the demand for unsafe abortions which, in worst case scenarios, costs pregnant women their lives or can have catastrophic consequences for their health. “Access to safe abortions is a human right,” contends Simone Nørholm, the policy officer for gender at Amnesty International's Danish branch.
Living Faith REVD SMITHA PRASADAM IN 2 ISSUES
“Forcing someone to complete a pregnancy against their will is grotesque.”
A Dane Abroad KIRSTEN LOUISE PEDERSEN
Free to bears arms, forced to bear kids CAMILLA Semlov Andersson, a Danish family counsellor, asked recently: “Why is there so much focus on protecting an unborn foetus in the US, and not more on protecting the lives of kindergarten, elementary and high school children from gun violence?” It’s a question many Danes ask about because they can’t comprehend it. Why in a country where the rights of citizens are so important – for example, the right to bear arms – are women being forced to bear children? Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions actually found that gun violence was the leading cause of death among US children in 2020. How can we strip away 50 years of advancements in women’s rights, but do nothing about the real culprit killing American kids? It’s hard to believe the land of the free is now a place where the right to bear arms is untouchable, but a woman’s body is up for grabs.
Crazier than Christmas VIVIENNE MCKEE IN 3 ISSUES
Englishman in Nyhavn JACK GARDNER
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CREATIVE COMMONS/AMERICAN LIFE LEAGUE)
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Expatria E
An Actor's Life IAN BURNS Their efforts were in vain
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LIFESTYLE: DATING THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK
6 JULY - 11 AUGUST 2022
MAROUA SAJEB DATING THE DANES Maroua (marouasajeb.com) is a dating coach who helps women attract great men with meaningful romantic connections. Maroua is hosting monthly dating events for ladies who are tired of the dating apps and want to date the organic way. Join her supportive environment where you can practise approaching guys and push your comfort zone. Connect and say ‘Hi!’ via facebook.com/maroua.saj.
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AVE YOU ever let your friends play with your Tinder account? JUST DON’T! Especially, if they send things like “Hey handsome! Want to come over and have some fun?” Most guys would get super pleased receiving that message, but I’ve found that some Danish men can get caught up in logistics because you’re 30 minutes away from their location and end up rejecting you. Of course, “Come over, I’ll cook for you”, is in the same ballpark. Only difference is that it isn’t a
joke typed into your Tinder by one of your friends. My friend Valerie’s been sent it more than once. And she and her forehead vein make quite a stand when a guy suggests coming anywhere close to his place. I don’t know about you, but I have all sorts of feelings when I hear that sentence. Beyond the sex trap VALERIE, like most of the ladies I know, would say that sentence the guy wants to have sex, period. After all, for women in Copenhagen it can be
really easy to get laid – it’s probably easier than arranging a first date. However, looking back at my dating experiences in Copenhagen, I’ve learned that Danish men never fail to surprise me, over and over again, with their unconventional ways of dating, so what if there’s more to their home-cooked invite? If he’s just a damn good cook and wants to play to his strengths, can you blame him? Or even better, he's a guy who takes great pleasure/pride in cooking for others and wanting to cook for is just his way of serving you hygge on a plate. And besides, it's a totally different experience than going to a restaurant. It’s more intimate and you get to see the guy in action in his kitchen, maybe being a bit nervous and vulnerable about whether you’ll like the food. Or maybe he’s just super-confident because he makes the best lasagne in town! Residue of COVID-19 IT’S TRUE that when we were under lockdown, for many guys, “Come over, I’ll cook for you” only meant one thing, only it was normally presented as “Oops, all the cafes and restaurants are closed, let’s meet at my place.” I don’t know about you girls, but this behaviour was a no-go for my lady clients. They inspired guys to get creative instead and arrange amazing
picnics for them. The lockdown triggered a lot of bad dating behaviour that has sadly continued until today. Lazy and greedy guys put zero effort into arranging dates, instead opting for what was convenient, such as suggesting to meet at his place for a date because he was expecting a parcel to arrive. I mean come on dude! My friend Louisa was invited to a guy’s place for dinner, and it ended in huge disappointment. The home-cooked meal turned out to be throwing a frozen pizza into the oven and then eventually throwing her bag and shoes off the door because she wouldn’t move the party to the bedroom. It is Copenhagen, and it is safe, but you never know what you are getting yourself into. Date before dinner SO WHAT’S my takeaway from all this? Girls, get to know the guy a bit before going to his place. And then, if he wants to cook for you, then, go for it and don’t over-analyse what it all means. A guy going through the hassle of buying the produce, cleaning his place (hopefully) and cooking a meal for you tends to be a little more meaningful than just wanting to get into your pants. Bon Appétit to y’all! PIXABAY
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DANISH NEWS IN ENGLISH | CPHPOST.DK
LIFESTYLE: KIDS THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK
6 JULY - 11 AUGUST 2022 CAMP ADVENTURE
KATE MONTEATH COPEN' WITH THE KIDS A former kids radio host and now head of content for a leading family activity guide, Kate is back in DK with her backpack full to the brim of experiences. With her basecamp set up in Copenhagen along with hubby and son, she is on the topsy-turvy journey of what you call parenting. Follow her on Instagram @katemonteath
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ESPITE the somewhat moody weather, summer seems to have landed within our Danish borders. And with the school holidays right around the corner, here is a round-up of six absolute must-do activities for the whole family this summer. Bakken – a whimsical day out OFTEN overshadowed (in my opinion) by Tivoli, its more prominent counterpart, Bakken is a gem totally worth the trip. A mere 25-minute train ride from the city centre, you and the family can expect a charming hill-side theme park complete with thrilling rides, carnival games, live performances for the whole family, countless mouthwatering food and dessert stalls, and so much more.
The Forest Tower at Camp Adventure IF YOU and your youngsters are looking to level up your usual walk in the forest, taking a trip to Camp Adventure needs to be on your summer to-do list. Located within the gorgeous forests of Gisselfeld Kloster, the Forest Tower takes you and your family 45 metres up high and offers a knock-you-off-your-feet view of nature from above. Troll hunting in the city ADVENTURE is to be found in all corners of Copenhagen as you and the kiddos embark on an exciting hunt for the elusive trolls around the city. Explore hidden forests, harbour nooks, and urban bushes to find the giants in hiding. To help you on your way, check out trollmap.
com where the artist, Thomas Dambo, guides you on your troll hunt. ZOO Skyliner NOT FOR the faint-hearted, this recently-opened attraction at the Copenhagen Zoo is a whopping 81 metre-tall lookout tower. Here you and the family can enjoy a unique and dizzying view of the zoo, the city of Copenhagen and even part of Sweden. There is a separate entrance to the tower via Roskildevej for visitors not entering the zoo. With tickets only available until August 28, this is one not to miss. Tomorow Festival ALWAYS big on sustainability, Copenhagen is bringing back the Tomorrow Festival, which is
this year taking place on August 26 and 27 in Valbyparken. Get ready for exciting talks, great music and a special festival zone for the juniors called Children Utopia, where your boys and girls can get inspired, learn about sustainability and help usher the world into a brighter future. Hop on a boat YOU CAN’T be in Copenhagen during the summer without cruising the harbour – at least once! Whether you and the family go for a canal ride on one of the tour boats, hop aboard a harbour waterbus, or opt for a more intimate experience at sea in a GoBoat or the like, boating around Copenhagen Harbor is a unique way of exploring and enjoying our wonderful city. GO BOAT
BAKKEN
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BARBARA MENSAH
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COMMUNITY THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK
6 JULY - 11 AUGUST 2022
ABOUT TOWN
The Brazilian Embassy’s celebrations to mark the 200th anniversary of the country’s independence included a performance by guitarist Yamandu Costa at the Black Diamond. Pictured with Costa are his host, Brazilian ambassador Rodrigo de Azeredo Santos (left) and Cuban ambassador Roger Lopez Garcia (right)
PHOTOS BY HASSE FERROLD
A great many dignitaries attended the South African Embassy’s reception to mark its national day on June 22 in Hellerup. Among South African ambassador Fikile Sylvia Magubane’s guests was Hans Hermansen, the CEO of CPH POST
A fair number of embassies were represented at the African Village at Gladsaxe Kulturdage in June – a great opportunity to give the Danish public a taste of their national dishes and more. Among those overseeing their countries’ stands were Algerian ambassador Rachid Meddah and South African ambassador Fikile Sylvia Magubane
Danish astronaut Andreas Mogensen (left) was the guest of honour at the premiere of live show 'Space Station Earth' at DR Koncerthuset on June 14. Featuring music by composer Ilan Eshkeri (centre left), it will tour Europe in August
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June 30 marked the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s final day under British ownership – perfect timing for the Denmark-Hong Kong Trade Association to hold a reception at Restaurant Nimb at Tivoli
DANISH NEWS IN ENGLISH | CPHPOST.DK
CONCERT REVIEW THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK
6 JULY - 11 AUGUST 2022
FAR OUT! THIS FAMILY AFFAIR WAS FANTASTIC FUN DR/ CHRISTIAN LARSEN
A study in scarlet of the sorcerer of samba
«««««« BEN HAMILTON
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T WON’T have escaped the attention of aficionados that two legends of music turned 80 over the last fortnight, even though their energy levels suggest they are much younger men. Really, it’s a testament to human endurance that while they might not have an ass anymore, they sure know how to get an audience to shake theirs. Funny to think that one of them envisaged they’d be “doing the garden, digging the weeds” by the time they reached 64. Star-crossed legends THE FIRST, Paul McCartney, the most prolific of the Beatles, reached the landmark a week before a Glastonbury concert on June 25 described as “one for the ages”. The second, guitar legend Gilberto Gill, no less prolific bar a spell as Brazilian culture minister, celebrated the big occasion just three days before performing at DR Koncerthuset as part of the Copenhagen Jazz Festival on June
29 – a concert he then followed with another a day later. Beginning in earnest in the early 1960s, the careers of both men have intersected at times – Gil in 1967 recalls doing nothing for weeks other than continuously playing the Beatles' seminal work ‘Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’. They have much in common. Both members of successful songwriting duos, they were the more experimental, contributing the lightness that made the output transcendental at times. More than their partners John Lennon and Caetano Veloso, they take delight from the very sound of music. Raw, experimental, courageous, perhaps a little messy and weird at times, their music reaches sublime heights, although it can feel sometimes overproduced – a pitfall of their openness to all possibilities. Infectious performer ON THE occasion of Maestro Gil’s 80th birthday concert at DR Koncerthuset, there’s a more striking British comparison than ‘Our Paul’: the octogenarian King Lear!
In similar fashion to how the Shakespearean ruler challenges his children to impress him with their dedication, but not in the sinister way echoed in ‘Succession’, Gil throws the stage open to his offspring – of whom three generations are on display. This deflection is understandable, perhaps, because his singing chops aren’t quite capable of the renditions his songs deserve – albeit vocals that are among the most unique you will ever hear. If he’s struggling, it’s with the lightness of touch that has been a hallmark of his career. His peaks accordingly come in numbers in which he’s required to belt the words out: like his cover of Beatles (who else!) track ‘Get Back’, which could have been written especially for his talents, and ‘Nos barracos da cidade’. It’s also obvious how infectious he is as a performer. Everyone he looks at in the stalls is putty in his hands. Jesus got the cripples to walk, but Gil has got them dancing with their zimmer frames. Proud Pappy GRAND-DAUGHTER Flo, ostensibly a
DANISH NEWS IN ENGLISH | CPHPOST.DK
Cordelia surely, is the first to give it a go with ‘The Girl from Ipanema’. Her voice is like velvet, her intonation so assured. It’s a cliche but this woman could sing the phonebook. Grandpa’s little girl must make him so proud. José, his youngest son, has a voice like chocolate. It’s so smooth: like the sound of bubbling lava. And the cadence of his higher notes; divine! It’s enough to make you jump into the magma and surrender your senses. Of course, Lear didn’t have a son, but with eight children, Mr Gil didn’t leave the odds in the lap of the gods. So, with his singing legacy safely assured for future generations via Flo and José, the question is who is going to pass on his showmanship. The answer is obvious a mere microsecond after Preta takes the floor. She works the room like she’s a conductor at the New York Philharmonic ... or the air traffic controller at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Of all the Gil children, she’s been the most successful in her own right. And it shows, as she whips the audience into a frenzy. By the time she’s finished her number, every other member of
the DR Koncerthuset faithful is out of their seats, shaking, shaking, shaking … An evening in with the family THIS CONCERT wasn’t too long, and it wasn’t too short. And the balance of the onstage ensemble of approximately 15 was also perfectly realised – always somebody to look at and admire, interacting like any family doing what they love. From the tiny tot heroically carrying a mini electric guitar and taking his bow at the end with delighted aplomb, to the young teen doing his best to hide on stage behind the drums, this family gathering made the Partridges and Von Trapps and even the Jacksons look staid in comparison. It could just as well be an evening at home with the Gills, where the children are allowed to be kids, and the young adults are given a chance to do what Pappy does. It had the best mix you could possibly ask for. Mr Gil didn’t hog the limelight and he allowed his family to shine. And the hips are still shaking at the thought of it.
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COMMUNITY THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK
6 JULY - 11 AUGUST 2022
UNFORGETTABLE WEEKEND AS DENMARK HOSTS THE GRAND DEPART In total, 22 teams, encompassing most of the 176 riders taking part in the race, first cycled a mini route through central Copenhagen. First they crossed the recently opened pedestrian bridge Lille Langebro, before heading down Vester Voldgade. Then they turned left at Rådhuspladsen, the City Hall Square where the idea of hosting the Tour de France started to germinate seven years ago. The biggest cheer at Tivoli was reserved for Danish cyclist Jonas Vingegaard (centre), who was joined by Jumbo-Visma cocaptain Primož Roglič (right)
HASSE FERROLD (UNLESS STATED) Denmark’s journey towards hosting the Grand Depart of the Tour de France began seven years ago in November 2015 when news first broke of the bid. Within eight months an official bid was proposed by the government and then city mayor Frank Jensen. So maybe it was meant to be that Lukas Graham played their classic song ‘7 Years’ at the official Grand Depart ceremony held at Tivoli on June 29, where all the cyclists in the race were presented on stage. After all, the lyrics include the lines: “Go make yourself some friends or you’ll be lonely.” Given the worldwide approval for the way Denmark has hosted the Grand Depart, the country has made lots of new friends!
On Friday July 1 at 16:00, Denmark made history when the Tour de France began its most northerly ever stage in Copenhagen. In case it needed reminding of where it was, the torrential rain was relentless over the opening 90 minutes. Nevertheless, the reception from the locals was rapturous to say the least (left). Among those enjoying the festivities were (left) PM Mette Frederiksen and Sophie Hæstorp Andersen, the mayor of Copenhagen. Meanwhile (right), out on the 13.2 km time trial route, Jumbo-Visma racer Wout van Aert ended up finishing second – not just in the time trial but in all three stages on Danish soil. Presumably, he couldn’t wait to head to France, where the racing resumes on Tuesday
Done that, got the t-shirt – yes, they literally all got t-shirts. On Saturday July 2, it was the turn of the Danish public to race the time trial course in an event called the ‘Tour De København’ and their prize for finishing was a splendid yellow t-shirt. Expect eBay to be flooded with these over the next two decades. Between 08:00 and 12:00, tens of thousands turned up at Fælleparken to take on the challenge – although to be fair, many just started the route where they could find a gap in the barricades. Sophie Hæstorp Andersen, the mayor of Copenhagen, welcomed Crown Prince Frederik to officially start the race (centre) and it’s fair to say that the whole field – in contrast to the scowls on the peloton when they met those cross-winds on the Great Belt Bridge on Saturday afternoon – was absolutely beaming! FACEBOOK/LETOURDK
FACEBOOK/LETOURDK HOLBÆK SPORTSBY
If there was a poignant footnote to the Grand Depart, it was the many tributes to popular cyclist and TV2 commentator Chris Anker Sørensen, who was tragically killed whilst cycling for leisure in Belgium last September. The time trial course had hundreds of messages and portraits (left), but they couldn’t compete with the work of the two 60 kg robots that rendered a 40 by 30 metre drawing of the great man at Holbæk Sportsby (centre), which the TV cameras picked up when the Tour de France passed by the northwest Zealand town on Saturday. Local fundraisers are raising money for Sørensen’s family (who will get the first 500,000 kroner) and the charity Børn, Unge og Sorg (children, youth and grief). The fundraiser stops on September 5, which would have been Sørensen’s 38th birthday
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DANISH NEWS IN ENGLISH | CPHPOST.DK
COMMUNITY THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK
6 JULY - 11 AUGUST 2022
INDIA TAKES THE LEAD. ASSUME THE LOTUS POSITION, DENMARK! International Day of Yoga celebrated in no less than seven cities this year PHOTOS: INDIAN EMBASSY (UNLESS STATED)
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HE 8TH INTERNATIONAL Day of Yoga (#IDY2022) was celebrated in multiple cities on June 21, including Copenhagen, Aalborg, Aarhus, Vejle, Vedbæk, Birkerød and Sønderborg. Local yoga groups and the Indian diaspora teamed up for a great many events overseen by the Indian Embassy at iconic locations such as Copenhagen’s Nyhavn and Rådhuspladen, as well as Frederiksberg Have. Where the Indian ambassador Pooja Kapur, who led from the front at almost every event held in the capital, gets her energy from is a mystery … To be fair, it’s probably yoga Bouncing back from the pandemic, this was the biggest celebration of the International Day of Yoga yet held in Denmark – and it was even celebrated in Greenland
Ambassador Kapur, and countless others, performing yoga to iconic backdrops Frederiksberg Have, Rådhuspladen and Nyhavn
HASSE FERROLD
HASSE FERROLD
Near Rådhuspladen at Dansk Industri, a great many dignitaries joined Ambassador Kapur, including (LEFT: left-right) Hungarian ambassador Gabrielle Jacob, South African ambassador Fikile Sylvia Magubane, Lotte Machon (centre), the state secretary for development policy at the Foreign Ministry and Philippines ambassador Leo Herrera-Lim. Also present (CENTRE) was DI chief executive Lars Sandahl Sørensen. The DI yoga session (RIGHT) looked intense!
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FEATURE THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK
6 JULY - 11 AUGUST 2022
MAKE THIS THE MONTH YOU MAKE FRIENDS … IT’S JULY! LARA BODGER
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ELOCATING to Denmark with your family can have many challenges: from the struggle of finding a new home and schools for your children, to discovering the best spot for your morning coffee. Luckily, you’ve also landed in the world’s best city to raise a family in what is one of the happiest countries in the world. Copenhagen has so much to offer families: from its excellent work-life balance, cultural richness and hygge lifestyle, to its sustainability credentials and generous parental policies. Marching out of step? SO, WHAT’S not to like? Well, Copenhagen can also be a difficult place to make new friends. It’s rated as one of the world’s worst cities to move to as a foreigner from abroad, with the city ranking poorly for local friendliness and for welcoming foreigners. Now, we know that Danes are not unkind, but they tend to have close-knit friendship circles – with little reason to look outwards. Meeting families with similar age children can prove to be another challenge, with many expats limited to the international school circuit. So how can families develop new friendships and tap into all of the happiness the Danes are feeling? After all, social connection is the key to overall happiness. July solutions A NEW STARTUP, It’s July, provides an innovative way to meet like-minded families in Denmark and abroad. Think Airbnb Experiences meets Tinder for families. The platform uses an advanced artificial intelligence algorithm to match families based on age, family members, hobbies, preferences and location. You sign up to host or attend an ‘ex-
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ALL HPTOS: KØBENHAVNS KOMMUNE
Fed up of distant Danes? Enjoy a free trial with the startup empowering families to have fun together
perience’ with another family: typically two-three hour hangouts. Try a walk by the Lakes with the Lund Family, or how about a trip to Tivoli with the Nielsens? The platform is open to families of all shapes and sizes – the only requisite being that you have children. August company VANESSA Fabiano, strategy manager at It’s July, emphasises its unique appeal for Danes “who are married to internationals, have worked abroad, or just love travelling”. “It’s a fantastic way to remain in an international network, as well as meet other Danes,” she contends. The platform enables children to enjoy new experiences in a safe environment. After all, exposure to different cultures is well proven to be beneficial for their personal growth. Participating families have spoken about the friendships they developed and the wonderful time that the children enjoyed. “We have had children saying it was the best day of their lives,” enthuses It’s July chief executive Tamar Liberman.
Children are the fulcrum, but don't tell them, or you'll have to pay them
May be a good time to try! AS WITH other platforms, nothing is 100 percent assured, but It’s July takes due diligence seriously when vetting profiles. It always speaks to each family before they take part in an experience, and families are rated and reviewed, enabling a self-vetting process. Most families that join the platform sign up as both hosts and guests – and a whopping 97 percent of families sign up for a second experience. The platform only recently expanded to Denmark, where it already has hundreds of families signed up, eager to show those new to the city what Copenhagen has to offer. It’s July also operates internationally, perfect for a European city break when you fancy gaining an all-in-one insider perspective and a playdate for your kids. The service is currently completely free but will become subscription-based in the future – so now is the time to try. Sign up via bit.ly/3NyYFMe.
DANISH NEWS IN ENGLISH | CPHPOST.DK
EVENTS THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK AIASOUNDFESTIVAL
AiaSound Festival
Aug 11-13; Tiøren, Amager Strandvej 246, Cph S; festival pass: 1,299kr, oneday tickets: 599kr; aiasoundfestival.dk With the purpose to create an urban environment featuring mainstream and international music, Aia Sound Festival is hosting this year several acclaimed artists and bands such as Tyga, Donkey Sound, Tobias Rahim and Hans Phillip. Opera Tours in English
6 JULY - 11 AUGUST 2022
Grøn Festival
Varde Open Air
PASSAGE Festival
Aarhus Jazz Festival
July 21-31; ten-day concert tour; festival pass: 799kr, one-day tickets: 350kr; groenkoncert.dk Over 10 days, Grøn Festival will tour eight venues in Denmark, starting with Amager and then passing through Kolding, Aarhus, Aalborg, Esbjerg, Odense, Næstved, and finally reaching Valby. The festival will present a line-up of well-known local and international artists such as Andreas Odbjerg, Tessa, and Deed.
July 28-30: Varde; festival pass: 950kr, one-day tickets: 400-600kr; open-air.dk Varde Open Air started in 1978, making it one of Denmark’s oldest festivals, and it continues to this day to offer a great program for both adults and children. Held in Arnbjerg Parken, which is well-known for its scenic nature.
July 25-31; various locations in Helsingør; prices vary and some performances are free; passagefestival.nu With more than 30 European theatre groups, PASSAGE Festival is the place to be for anyone with a passion for theatre. Every year these groups come to Helsingør and transform the different buildings and sites of the city into a stage.
July 9-16 Aarhus; tickets sold per concert; jazzfest.dk Celebrating one of the city’s strongest traditions, the Aarhus Jazz festival will fill up the neighbourhoods of Denmark’s second-biggest city Aarhus with live jazz. For eight days, the festival will host Danish jazz and classical music concerts. Among the headliners are Sam and the Soulmate, the Aarhus Jazz Orchestra and Human being Human.
Femø Jazz Festival
Aug 2-7; Darrehøjsvej, Femø; festival pass 1,700 kr; femoejazz.dk For all the jazz lovers out there, head to the Femø Jazz Festival located near the Småland Sea north of Lolland and enjoy traditional jazz music on a beautiful beach meadow. Stella Polaris
Wed & Sun in July & Aug, also July 30 & Aug 8; Ekvipagemestervej 10, Cph K; 135kr, under-12s 60kr, kglteater.dk Discover the Opera's beautiful foyer with its clean lines, Olafur Eliasson's light sculptures, and views over Copenhagen Harbour that embrace the shiny maple shell around the Main Stage. There are also weekly tours of Gamle Scene on Saturdays and Tuesdays in July, as well as August 6 and 7.
July 29-31 & Aug 6; Sønderborg, Aarhus, Silkeborg & Frederiksberg; stella-polaris.dk Enjoy good vibes and music at the free admission Stella Polaris festival, which this year will tour Sønderborg, Aarhus and Silkeborg before enjoying its final day in Frederiksberg Have. Stella Polaris is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, as its inaugural festival took place in 1997 in Vennelyst Parken in Aarhus. Since then, it has switched to Botanisk Have.
Globe Quiz
Samsø Festival
July 14 & 28, Aug 11; Globe Irish Pub, Nørregade 43-45, Cph K; 50 kroner per person to enter Game night’s on at this pub on Nørregade! The winners will be awarded 1,200 kroner, and there are plenty of spot prizes too. (MB)
July 20-23; Strandskoven ved Ballen, Samsø; festival pass: 1650 kr, one-day tickets: 675kr; samfest.dk From 1989 to 2022, Samsø Festival has always succeeded in bringing cosy and chilled vibes to Denmark’s summer. Some of Denmark’s most talented musicians are playing this year, including the likes of Benjam Hav and Familien, Det vildeste band, Disco Dasco med Swingtime, Samsø Pink Floyd and Tobias Rahim. Relax in the exquisite nature of the island and its delightful beaches.
Gravens Rand Quiz
July 19, Aug 2; Søndre Fasanvej 24, Frederiksberg; entry 30kr Maximum of four per team, it’s 1,000 kroner for the winners and a crate of beer for second. Two beer rounds, and shots for last place! Sand Sculpture Festival
ongoing, ends Aug 31, daily from 10:00; Kajgaden 7, Hundested; sandskulptur.dk Local and international sand sculptors, including several world champions, will display their biodegradable masterworks. Kennedy’s Quiz
Aug 1, 19:30; Kennedy’s Irish Bar,Gammel Kongevej 23, Cph V Quiz night at Kennedy’s Irish Bar includes raffles, cash prizes, and drinks rounds. Science and Cocktails
July 13; Koncertsalen, DR Koncerthuset, Ørestads Boulevard 13, Cph S; 145195kr, drkoncerthuset.dk World-renowned physicist Hiroshi Ooguri takes us on a journey through the mysteries of the universe, including gravity, the forces of nature, black holes and string theory.
Frederikssund Festival
Aug 4-6; Kalvøvej, Frederikssund; festival pass: 975kr, one-day tickets: 500kr; frederikssund-festival.dk Spreading joy and knowledge of music, Frederikssund Festival offers a wide range of old and new along with multiple music genres. Featured artists include Go Go Berlin, Walter Trout and Patina. Smukfest Festival
July 31-Aug 7; Skanderborg; festival pass 2,995kr, one-day tickets: 1,2501,495kr; smukfest.dk Amidst beautiful scenery with a line-up featuring talented Danish and international music artists and speakers, Smukfest is considered one of the best festivals in Denmark. The majority of the tickets to Smukfest have been sold out but you might still be able to put yourself on the waiting list or work as a volunteer. The headliners include Rick Astley, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, Limp Bizkit, Melanie C and Justin Bieber.
Haegue Yang: Double Soul Exhibition
ongoing, ends July 31; National Gallery of Denmark, Sølvgade 48-50, Cph K; 120kr, smk.dk This is the first solo exhibition by South Korean artist Haegue Yang. Her artwork is said to involve multiple human senses, focusing on illumination, scent and movement. Bork Festival
Aug 3-6; Bork Havn; festival pass: 1,400kr, one-day tickets 515-575kr; borkfestival.dk Bork Festival returns this year with a fun atmosphere and cool concerts featuring multiple Danish soloists and bands such as Tobias Rahim, Malte Ebert, Poul Krebs and Jonah Blacksmith. The festival is also well known for offering a delicious food experience. Copenhagen Jazz Festival
ongoing, ends July 10; multiple locations in Cph; prices vary Jazz music events will be held throughout the city, bringing some of the best jazz musicians to the city of Copenhagen. Gilleleje Festival
July 8-10; Bøgebakken 19C, Gilleleje; 100kr The annual music festival held in Gilleleje is back and will have appearances from several top Danish artists, including Tessa and Tobias Rahim. CTC Play Reading
July 18; Bootleggers Craft Beer Bar, Falkoner Alle 17, Frederiksberg; free adm This is an English language and volunteer-led theatre group and their play readings are a perfect opportunity for anyone looking to get involved in acting. Grimfest (The Ugliest Festival)
Aug 4-6; Brabrand; festival pass: 795kr, one-day tickets: 375kr; grimfest.dk It will get ugly at Denmark’s Ugliest Festival! Bring your fun spirit and spend your weekend enjoying the outdoor concerts of some of the best local and international artists. Jazz Cruise
July 6-Aug 28; Ved Stranden 26, Cph K; 175kr, ticketmaster.dk The Copenhagen Jazz Cruise allows you to listen to great music while on the water and for anyone who is new to Copenhagen this is a perfect way to experience the city’s sights while sailing through the canals.
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Suzanne Valadon
ongoing, ends July 31; Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Dantes Plads 7, Cph K; 125kr, free entry on Tuesdays French artist Suzanne Valadon looks at the breaking of social norms. Many credit her with paving the way for other female artists.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year
ongoing, ends Aug 28; Natural History Museum of Denmark, Øster Voldgade 5-7, Cph K, 105kr This annual exhibition showcases the 100 top wildlife photos.
2022 Shakespeare Festival
Gentofte Market
Romeo and Juliet from July 30-31, Hamlet from Aug 3-7; Kronborg Castle; from 160kr For all Shakespeare fans, this festival is known for its open air theatre and can be enjoyed with family and friends, as well as a picnic before the show starts.
every Sun 07:00-14:00; Bregnegårdsvej, Gentofte Happening every Sunday, Gentofte Market is a great place to go to for a weekend shopping trip for antique or vintage goods.
Proper British Afternoon Tea
July 10 & 31, Aug 14 & 28; Kogebogeriet, Guldbergsgade 10, Cph N If you’re looking for an authentic British afternoon tea, then Kogebogeriet is the place to go. Enjoy a menu that includes roast beef with Yorkshire pudding, freshly-baked scones and clotted cream, along with unlimited tea. Red Bull Cliff Diving
July 16; Opera House, Ekvipagemestervej 10, Cph K; redbullcliffdiving. com/inismor Returning to Copenhagen for the fifth time since 2013, divers jump off the roof of the famous Opera House in the middle of Copenhagen. Tickets can be won by participating in their online challenge. Vildskud Festival
Aug 2-6; Teaterhuset, 13 Rådhus Stræde, Vildskud; prices vary This festival gives Danish theatre, music, and art a platform like no other. It allows theatre groups to come together and celebrate the art of theatre and learn from one another. Copenhagen Fashion Week
Aug 9-12; venues TBC This is a biannual event, and the year of 2022 has a focus on sustainability. Copenhagen Fashion Week aims to inspire anyone hoping to work in the fashion industry on how to be more sustainable. Copenhagen Summer Dance
July 7-10; in vicinity of Kvæsthusbroen, Cph K This is Denmark’s largest dance festival. Several dance companies, both national and international, gather to perform and teach near the harbour in Copenhagen.
Nørrebro Flea Market
every Sat 09:00-17:00; Nørrebrogade, Cph N Norrebro Flea Market is a local flea market with several different vendors and is especially a great spot for buying second-hand clothing. Opera in the Open Air
Aug 7, 18:00; Fredensborg Slotshave ved Mindestenen, Fredensborg; free adm Be part of an experience that gathers about 15,000-20,000 people around the country each year when you listen to live opera music outside in the gardens of Fredensborg Castle courtesy of Opera i det fri. Strøm Festival
Aug 13-27; various venues in Cph; strm.dk The music festival is made up of more than 20 Danish and international electronic music artists. This year there will be several performances as well as a huge roller-rink for dancing. Stella Polaris
Aug 6, 12:00-21:00; Frederiksberg Have Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Stella Polaris is back following the pandemic. The nature of Frederiksberg Have is the perfect back-drop for this music festival. Copenhagen Summer Festival
Aug 7-18; Charlotte Festsal, Kgs Nytorv, Cph K; 160kr This classical music festival for aspiring musicians reveals the musical talent of the younger generation. Copenhagen’s Historic Grand Prix
Aug 5-7; Hulgårdsvej 72, Cph NV; from 175kr; chgp.dk Held every year, this event features legions of classic and vintage motor cars.
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ON SCREENS THE COPENHAGEN POST | CPHPOST.DK
6 JULY - 11 AUGUST 2022
BOWING OUT BEFORE HE WAS OVER THE HENRY HILL
This will have to do as closure for the continuation of 'Goodfellas' that lived on in our imaginations BEN HAMILTON
H
AROLD Pinter wasn’t the only literary great to dabble in acting. In François Truffaut’s 1973 film ‘La Nuit Américaine’, British novelist Graham Greene enjoys a walk-on part as an insurance executive. Mutual fans of one another, Truffaut didn’t twig it was Greene until the next day, by which time the unassuming Brit had left the set. It’s a nice Wikipedia footnote, but really, most cameos are pointless; they’re nothing more than gimmicks. A remake or a movie adaptation of a badly aged TV series wheels out the old stars to play a couple of valets … or something. If they’ve switched sides – Charlton Heston’s appearance as an ageing misanthropic ape in Tim Burton’s 2001 remake of Planet of the Apes springs to mind – it raises the bar slightly, but brings little to the overall tapestry. Questionably, would we have warmed more to Heston – if you could cast aside his presidency of the National Rifle Association – playing the same character from the 1968 original. Shacked up on the same beach on tolerated stay, perhaps, in the absence of a decent barber indistinguishable from his ‘masters’, a few words of wisdom for Marky Mark etc. In such a cameo, the older and more cancer-ridden the star – think Leonard
22
Nimoy in the Star Trek reboots – the better. It’s a sharp intake of breath as we realise who it is: worth the risk even if it might tarnish the legacy of a masterpiece. It’s testament to our collective will for stories to never end: if not in our imagination, on the screen. It’s why the movie industry gives us so many sequels. Call Saul for cameo lessons FOR A MASTERCLASS in cameos, look no further than Better Call Saul (S6B; July 11 on Netflix; 93 on Metacritic), which this month resumes its final season. It will be sorely missed. Of course, as a prequel, we already know how this story ends, so this is more of a case of how we got there: a bonafide example of pointless being priceless. From its very first episode, characters from the Breaking Bad universe have been artfully woven into the narrative: from menacing Mexican villains we thankfully thought we’d seen the back of, to Ken Wins, the annoying yuppy whose car Walter White sets on fire in episode four of season one. The list is a long one, and you’d be hard-pushed to recognise half of them, even if you’ve seen Breaking Bad two or three times. Creator Vince Gilligan is unashamedly rewarding devotees of the show with dopamine, and he’s earned the right. For the final few episodes, they’re
bringing out the big guns, with Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, who could not resist the chance to extend the arc of Jesse Pinkeman in the 2019 spin-off movie El Camino (let’s face it: slightly tarnishing the legacy of his exultation as he smashed through the locked gate of his white supremasist captors), set to appear. Carol Burnett, 89 (we don’t know if she’s got cancer), has also been recruited to make a cameo. Elton John’s in prison RIGHT up there with cameos, of course, are last-ever roles. There’s a poignancy about seeing an actor give what ended up being their final ever appearance on screen, particularly when it reaches the public many months, or even years, after their passing – often the volume of their posthumous releases sadly hints at the cause of their death. In the case of Ray Liotta, who the world will love forever as Henry Hill – now it is sadly too late to adapt the sequel to Nicholas Pileggi’s ‘Wiseguys’ (renamed as ‘Goodfellas’ for the screen) that the mobster-turned-informer wrote about his life on the run – no fewer than six titles will come to life in the aftermath of his death. One of them, his final TV role, is Black Bird (July 9 on Apple; 83), a riveting prison-set true story miniseries starring Taron Egerton (Rocketman) as a convict-
ed drug dealer who is offered leniency on his sentence if he can befriend an alleged serial killer (the always superb Paul Walter Hauser), an inmate in a maximum security prison for the criminally insane, and get a confession out of him. With a telepay by Dennis Lehane – the author of Mystic River and Shutter Island, whose screenwriting credits include episodes of The Wire, Boardwalk Empire and The Outsider – you’re in the hands of one of crime fiction’s true masters. And Riotta’s involvement is the icing on the cake. Trailers to turn you grey IN WHAT is a lean month at the cinema, unwelcome sequel Thor 4: Love and Thunder (July 6; Not Released Worldwide) – director Taika Waititi gives himself a cameo – and appalling Gerard Butler action vehicle Last Seen Alive (July 21; only 14 on Rotten Tomatoes!) are the only offerings. The only passably promising movie option is The Gray Man (July 22 on Netflix), which is being billed as the streaming station’s most expensive ever film. Directed by the Russo Brothers (all the Marvel films that matter) and starring Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas and Regé-Jean Page, it promises to be exciting, even if it does sound like the kind of manhunt thriller that’s been made 50 times before.
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And we apparently can’t get enough of teenage romcoms. Netflix pairing Hello Goodbye and Everything in Between (July 6) and Purple Hearts (July 19) are … well, let’s just say you won’t be able to get to the end of either trailer without vomiting. The latter has a military backdrop scene that out-slushes the mushy soft centre of Saving Private Ryan. On the surface of it … BACK IN TV land, returning series include Stranger Things (S4B; July 1) and Virgin River (S4; July 20) on Netflix; and What we do in the Shadows (S4; July 13) and Industry (S2; Aug 1) on HBO Max. Beyond our pick of the month, Surface (July 30 on Apple), a miniseries psychological thriller about a woman with memory loss, looks like a safe bet, as does Darren Star’s latest New York-set comedy series Uncoupled (July 30 on Netflix) with Neil Patrick Harris as the 40-something dealing with the departure of his husband of 17 years. Like, Grindr, hello! And look out for Rap Sh!t (TBC on HBO Max), a comedy from Issa Rae (Insecure) about two former school friends who form a hip-hop band. Of course, it’s based on a true story, and it goes without saying that its muses, Yung Miami and JT, have cameos. But let’s not ever do the same with any real-life serial killers.
A day at the races By Githa Schultz
Charlottenlund Racetrack (aka ´Lunden´) is run by the Danish Racetrack Company (DTS) and is located approximately 12 km from Copenhagen Central Station.
WIDE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES Diversification is also among Charlottenlund Racetrack’s hallmarks as it seeks to attract more guests.
In fact, on the day that CPH POST visited Charlottenlund Travbane, the mare ‘Ghita Nørby’ had a race. Some 600 people own a share in the horse.
Just a hop, skip and jump away, you can drive, take the train or even ride your bike there.
For example, the interior of the course has been transformed into a golf course and anyone can sign up to play anytime during the day.
We were able to go on a tour of the area and visit the stables, as well as having the opportunity to meet the actress Ghita Nørby herself.
There are four restaurants where you can enjoy a delicious meal, sip on drinks or simply have a coffee and sandwich while taking in the races. One of the restaurants has a VIP section.
Nørby shared some of her experiences from the stage and silver screen, as well as her appreciation for having a fine horse named after her. Being a rose enthusiast, Nørby also has a rose named after her in Denmark.
A charming establishment close to the ocean, it was built in 1891 with intact protected grandstands and is the oldest racetrack in the Nordics. For people who work there on a daily basis, horses are a way of life. Employees have the opportunity to live in the area even when they retire – in exchange for opening the stable gate when horses and participants arrive for the racetracks. Charlottenlund Racetrack is an all-year establishment – on average, it offers horse racing every 10 days, with complimentary parking and Wi-Fi for guests. Admission is 50 kroner on ordinary days and up to 150 kroner on big race days. It’s a cheap pleasure considering that you can stand alongside the track and watch the beautiful horses gallop by. Additionally, you can win some serious coin with the variety of games on offer. The track at Charlottenlund Racetrack is 950 metres in circumference and 20 metres in width. It’s a popular venue and has a cracking atmosphere.
Also available is an exciting facility and stable tour where you can pet a horse and check out the horse clinic – where a veterinarian is present for all the races. Charlottenlund Racetrack has long been a staple set location for the Danish film industry. Probably the most famous example was ‘Odds 777’ from 1932, which included some of the greatest actors of that era. It also included songs by famous Danish composer Kai Normann Andersen. GHITA NØRBY X 2 The film link doesn’t end there. A recent initiative at Charlottenlund Racetrack was to name a horse after Ghita Nørby, one of Denmark’s greatest living film and theatre actresses.
The day culminated with Ghita Nørby winning its race and both Ghita Nørbys … actress and horse … meeting in the winner’s enclosure to celebrate the victory together with the shareholders. The celebrity horse received some sturdy pats on the back and likely a carrot prize, while Ghita Nørby was handed a bouquet of flowers. Truly, a glorious end to an exciting day at Charlottenlund Racetrack. With its fresh air, doting employees and its links to history, Charlottenlund Racetrack is definitely worth preserving and visiting. Website: www.travbanen.dk
I N V I TAT I O N
23-24 SEPTEMBER 2022
Welcome to Greater Copenhagen – and welcome to International Citizen Days 2022. Taking place in the heart of Copenhagen on 23 & 24 September, International Citizen Days bring together public authorities, private organisations and local communities for two days of endless inspiration on housing, job and social life relevant to all newcomers.
FRIDAY 23 SEPTEMBER, 17.00-20.00 BØRSEN, SLOTSHOLMSGADE 1, 1217 KØBENHAVN K This evening is devoted to exploring the field of job and career, giving you the chance to meet a wide range of companies looking to hire international talent together with organisations working with recruitment and professional job guidance. You will be guided through traditional models of collective bargaining and the inescapable codes of Danish workplace culture with plenty of opportunities to mingle and widen your professional network.
SATURDAY 24 SEPTEMBER, 10.00-15.00 DGI-BYEN, TIETGENSGADE 65, 1704 KØBENHAVN V This day is devoted to exploring the field of housing, job and social life, inviting the entire family to join including children. With a lively fair representing unique organisations from the housing market, banking sector and cultural scene, we invite you to engage in talks, debates and fun activities. You will be guided through the jungle of housing options, banking services, tax laws, language classes and bombarded with great inspiration on kick-starting your social life.
icdays.dk