December 2023 Bumper Issue

international

the

ISSN 2596-5220

CRANBERRY & CHOCOLATE COOKIES

LIVING ALONE ABROUD

ENHANCING INCLUSION

A ZERO-WASTE CHRISTMAS

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GARBA DIALLO: REDEFINING BORDERS

FOR GLOBAL INCLUSIVITY AND JUSTICE.

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NURTURING THE SPIRIT OF THE SEASON

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

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

CONSULTING EDITOR Conrad Egbert

GRAPHIC DESIGN The International - Karen Steyn

WRITERS TEAM Ophelia Wu; Alexandra Beck; Mariano Davies; Monika Pedersen; Sara R. Newell; Michaela Medvedova; Natasha Liviero; Heather Storgaard; Natália Šepitková; Luke Hannon; Rikke

D DEAR READERS

I trust you are in the midst of your final week of preparations for Christmas, with travels, dinners, and presents neatly arranged beneath the tree. I want to extend my sincere apologies for the absence of a November issue. Unfortunately, life sometimes takes unexpected turns, and I had to take a step back to navigate the challenging waters of grief. The death of my beloved mother cast a shadow over that month, making it difficult to focus on the usual tasks that bring The International to life.

Grief is a universal experience, yet its nuances can vary greatly depending on one's circumstances. For those of us living abroad, dealing with loss takes on an added layer of complexity. The physical distance from loved ones and the cultural differences can intensify the emotions accompanying mourning. Returning to my home country during this period was filled with heartache and solace.

Navigating the familiar and being with my family brought a bittersweet comfort. Memories flooded back, sights and sounds echoing the footsteps of times past.

However, being away for an extended period inevitably leads to a certain estrangement. The once-familiar places seemed altered, and relationships had evolved in my absence. Dealing with these differences became part and parcel of the healing process.

Yet, amidst this, there was a sense of rediscovery. I found solace in the commonalities that transcended time and distance. Shared traditions, familiar faces, and the warmth of my roots provided a sanctuary to heal. It reminded me that no matter how far we roam, our origin remains an intrinsic part of who we are.

As the holiday season approached, I returned to my adopted country with a renewed perspective. The contrasts between the two worlds I inhabit became more apparent, highlighting the diversity that shapes our experiences. Embracing these differences, whether in customs,

Skak Harboe; Dominic J Stevenson

COVER PICTURE climates, or daily routines, can become a celebration of the rich tapestry of life.

In this December bumper issue, we aim to accompany you through the festive season and usher in the new year with a sense of community and understanding. Our diverse collection of articles, stories, and feature story are curated to resonate with the complexities of the human experience, acknowledging that joy and sorrow often coexist.

The International has always strived to be a source of connection, bridging the gaps between cultures and individuals. I am immensely grateful for the unwavering support we've received from our readers over the past five years. As we close this year, my team and I want to express our deepest gratitude for being part of this global community.

Looking ahead, we are excited about the possibilities that 2024 holds. The International will continue to evolve, striving to bring you insightful content that reflects the diverse perspectives of our readership. We hope you'll continue this journey with us, contributing your stories, insights, and experiences that enrich our publication.

In the season's spirit, I extend heartfelt wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our readers. May this time be filled with joy, reflection, and connection. Thank you for being an integral part of The International's journey, and here's to a new year filled with hope, peace, growth, and shared stories.

RIP Mom. xx Love,

Lyndsay

EDITOR & FOUNDER

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THE-INTL.COM

Zozo Pertunia Mposula

SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM Head of SoMe Shivangi Singh - shivangi@the-intl.com

SoMe Ambassadors Michaela Medvedova; Aina Masood; Ane-Sophie Custura; Terumi Mascarenhas; Leslie Noygues; Shelly Pandey; Shivangi Singh; Ritika Jain; Pavlos Tsiakoumis; Sakib Akhter; Rashmi Jadhav; Shaeema Zaman

SALES sales@the-intl.com The International is published online 12 times a year. This issue was published on 17 December 2023.

Notice: The publishers regret that they cannot accept any liability for error or omissions contained in this publication. The opinions and views presented need not necessarily reflect those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek special counsel before acting on any information contained herein. All rights reserved. No part of this publication or contents thereof may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form without written permission from the publishers. Published by and © 2021 The International ApS. Registered in Denmark / CVR Number: 39118181

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CROSSING BORDERS WITH

GARBA DIALLO

A GLOBAL CITIZEN CHALLENGING THE 'NATIONAL ORDER OF THINGS.' BORN A FULANI NOMAD, GARBA SHARES HIS BORDERLESS PERSPECTIVE. AS THE FOUNDER OF CROSSING BORDERS, HIS MAIN MISSION IS TO FOSTER INCLUSIVITY, DIVERSITY, AND JUSTICE WORLDWIDE.

PHOTOGRAPHS ZOZO PERTUNIA MPOSULA

T

TAKE A MOMENT and imagine what the world map looks like in your mind's eye. You'll likely picture all seven continents displayed neatly and orderly against the vast powder blue ocean, the individual countries demarcated by thin black lines, fully shaded in by contrasting shades of the rainbow, with san serif font neatly labelling the stretch of the territories. Nearly 200 countries in the world, all separated by lines and shaded by differences.

The image you just visualised, referred to as the 'National Order of Things' to Anthropologist Liisa Malkki, has its origins stemming back to 1648 with the Peace of Westphalia treaty, which some historians argue gave birth to the modern state system and the notion of state sovereignty. Along with this, marked the birth of citizenship, the notion that some individuals' belong' to certain areas and are entitled to the rights and privileges this entails while simultaneously excluding those deemed outside these borders.

This conceptualisation of the world order is widely accepted today and is something many of us grew up learning and accepting in school. Within the international community in Denmark, for instance, one is often asked, "Where are you from?" looking for a nation of origin. This may be 'national', but is it natural? Garba Diallo disagrees.

Garba Diallo is the Founder and Director of Crossing Borders, a non-profit civil society organisation located on Nørre Alle in Copenhagen, with a mission to "educate global citizens and raise awareness of educators on global issues with the aim to contribute to building a peaceful and sustainable world." Founded by Garba in 1999, Crossing Borders started initially as a platform for youth to come together to support dialogue in the Middle East, but it has since developed into a staple of the Copenhagen community, spearheading projects throughout Denmark and around the world. The organisation prides itself on its international staff and its projects that reach across national borders, focusing on empowering people of all backgrounds to engage in global citizenship. Garba himself emulates the values of his organisation and shared that his origins were 'borderless.'

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TEXT KATHARINE H. NOYED

A COWBOY UPBRINGING Garba grew up in the African country of Mauritania and belongs to the Fulani ethnic group. Spread across 25-30 countries, including Mauritania, Senegal and Sudan, the Fulani ethnic group holds as many as one hundred million native speakers of the Fulanis language and is known to be one of the world's largest nomadic groups. Given the geographic fluidity of the Fulani people, they have a history of being politically marginalised in different countries. During the interview, Garba referred to his upbringing as a 'cowboy childhood' and spoke about his people's mobility.

"Our lives there revolve around our cows: the more cows you have, the more it shows that you are important. And, of course, we move with the cows to where the pasture is, where the water is, and where there is more peace. I crossed to Mali many times, then to Senegal, and to Gambia. We were borderless people, you know, really pan-African — globalist. The most important for us was the ideas and the people we were with."

FREE LIKE THE BIRDS During our interview, Garba shared that he had travelled to over ninety countries. From his mobile childhood to earning his undergraduate degree as a young student in Qatar and travelling every possible moment during the warm summer breaks (students would have five months off during the peak season of the Qatar summer), Garba created opportunities for himself to travel— a natural part of being Fulani. Garba spoke about his background: "The Fulani are free like the birds - they fly from one tree to the next, and you don't see any traces or footprints. You know, so I was free."

After graduating, Garba moved to Oslo, where he took courses at the Peace Research Institute, studying peace and international issues. He later used his voice to speak out against the civil war in Mauritania, where he wrote for nearly every Norwegian newspaper, spoke frequently on television and the radio, and presented papers at international conferences; in the process, exiling himself from Mauritania. At one of the conferences he attended during this period, he met a former minister from Uganda who told Garba

CLAUS PEUCKERT

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about a job opening at the International People's College in Hellsingør, a højskole focusing on global awareness and tolerance. In 1992, Garba, his wife, and his then one-yearold daughter moved to Denmark officially to start this next chapter as a teacher and later as the Director of International Programmes at this school.

LIFE IN DENMARK: A TRUE PARADOX Before moving to Denmark, Garba shared that he had visited the country once before on a visit from Oslo. It was the summer of 1985, and Garba had experienced the country as a paradise — with long summer days, happy people, and beautiful landmarks.

After relocating to Denmark, Garba has dedicated more than 32 years to cultivating a rich repository of life experiences and knowledge. During this time, he has undertaken various roles, including teaching courses on International Development, Middle Eastern studies, and African studies. Concurrently, he provided unwavering support to his wife as she pursued her PhD in Development Studies from Roskilde University, while nurturing and raising two children. One of their children has recently successfully defended her own PhD dissertation. Furthermore, Garba played a pivotal role in the establishment and leadership of Crossing Borders. Together, Garba and his family have authentically woven a fulfilling life in Denmark since their initial move. But crossing borders is not just about crossing international territories - it is also about crossing cultural boundaries, something he speaks of about his life in Denmark: "Denmark is like a paradox," he said laughing, "it's contradictory. It's like a mirage, you know? You see, there's water, but the closer you come to it, the more it gets away from you... on the surface - it's very easy, very open, but there is also this invisible wall."

This invisible wall is all too familiar to many internationals in Denmark. Many experience the ease of making acquaintances but find great difficulty developing quality, indepth friendships with Danes. Garba laughed when asked what advice he would give someone struggling to make friends here in Denmark: "Ask me in 30 more years! I'm still struggling!" Garba continued to share that he has built a large network here that consists of friends, colleagues, and family, but the cultural boundaries that need to be crossed — the invisible wall that must be passed — can be the most challenging. As a seasoned international in Denmark, Garba shares a few pieces of advice:

LEARNING THE LANGUAGE Although learning Danish is one of the key ways to position yourself for integrating into Danish society, Garba acknowledged that one's intersecting identities also have a significant influence, highlighting a societal issue that is often overlooked. He shared, "Learning the language, especially if you are white and look like a Dane so you can disappear — just build the confidence, you know, have a few potatoes in your mouth, and speak!

But, if you look different, it can be a challenge."

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"DENMARK IS LIKE A PARADOX," HE SAID LAUGHING, "IT'S CONTRADICTORY. IT'S LIKE A MIRAGE, YOU KNOW? YOU SEE, THERE'S WATER, BUT THE CLOSER YOU COME TO IT, THE MORE IT GETS AWAY FROM YOU... ON THE SURFACE - IT'S VERY EASY, VERY OPEN, BUT THERE IS ALSO THIS INVISIBLE WALL. THIS INVISIBLE WALL IS ALL TOO FAMILIAR TO MANY INTERNATIONALS IN DENMARK. MANY EXPERIENCE THE EASE OF MAKING ACQUAINTANCES BUT FIND GREAT DIFFICULTY DEVELOPING QUALITY, IN-DEPTH FRIENDSHIPS WITH DANES." KNOW THE CULTURE Garba spoke of understanding the cultural fabric of Danish society, especially when it comes to conversations about political topics at gatherings. He shared: "Danes like cosiness, and it's something that should not be difficult, not something that is spoiling." Giving the metaphor of a Christmas dinner, Garba shared, "You don't start with the meat" or the heavy conversations — instead, there are unspoken rules dictating the appropriateness of topics for hyggelige gatherings, continuing to say when it comes down to it, the purest essence of 'hygge' happens in Danish.

ORGANISE, ORGANISE, ORGANISE! Garba shared that one of the best ways to meet people is by joining associations, sharing that, on average, every Dane is a member of three associations. He continued, "If you're a parent, go to school meetings — don't just send your Danish partner! Go to school meetings and organise, organise, organise!"

And organising is exactly what Garba did when he created the civil society organisation Crossing Borders over 25 years ago, an organisation that brings people of different backgrounds together, empowers young people around the world to make a positive change, and celebrates diversity in an interconnected world.

CROSSING BORDERS IN AN INTERCONNECTED WORLD As an organisation, Crossing Borders stays true to its values of authenticity, diversity, and inclusion. Many international corporations and organisations out there boast of having an international workforce, yet upon closer inspection, this proves to not be the case. Crossing Borders is one of the few organisations that genuinely values and prioritises diversity and 'walks the talk.' Garba shared: "We cross borders on all kinds of levels — even the organisation itself. You see people from different cultures because when we meet, it should not just be one culture dominat-

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ing because then we just get half of the truth. Like the Quakers say, everyone has a piece of the truth, but we have to give everyone the space to share their piece of the truth."

On the Crossing Borders team, there are members from all across the world — Denmark, Brazil, Turkey, Serbia, Lebanon, Ukraine, India, and Japan, just to name a few. To Garba, this is natural, and this is how it should be.

"The world is interconnected and interdependent." Gesturing to the spread on the table, "This coffee is from Colombia and these oranges? They're not from Denmark —they're from Morocco!' At the end of the day, I think the future is connected. And at the end of the day, what is good for people anywhere in the world is good for all people because it is connected."

As an organisation, Crossing Borders' reach spans across the world. In Denmark alone, Crossing Borders spearheads school workshops on various global topics: from the Sustainable Development Goals and Climate Change to the Black Lives Matter movement and democracy - these workshops are designed to bring the world to the classroom. In addition to the school workshops, Crossing Borders organises communal events called 'Food for Thought', which brings people together over a meal for a night of storytelling under the belief that everyone has a story worth sharing. Garba shared: "I think we need more of these things. We have stories from experts, but we also need stories from ordinary people — not just politicians, but real stories of real people. There are so many international people doing a lot of great things in Denmark, and we need to hear these stories. During COVID-19, there were doctors on TV every day, but you go to the hospitals and see the surgeons, mostly internationals, and we never saw them being interviewed or asked to know more. So, we need to give more space to different voices because that is how we develop and innovate.

It's also a matter of justice and democracy."

Crossing Borders also supports multiple projects worldwide, including in Morocco, Ghana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Ukraine, Georgia and India. Examples of current projects include The Women Empowerment in Local Development in India, Youth Promoting Peace and Tolerance in Zimbabwean Politics, and Civic Contribution to Strengthening Accountable Governance. Garba spoke about the ethics of these international projects, sharing: "We don't design a project here and paste it in India or Africa. We partner with local organisations with local knowledge, perspectives, and understanding. They are the ones who are implementing the projects, and we support them and learn from them."

Throughout his long career in international education, peace, democracy - ethics, and justice have been at the forefront of Garba's work. Having spent over thirty years in the field, Garba is committed to building a more just world — crossing one border at a time.

If you are interested in reading more, getting involved, or supporting the work of Crossing Borders, you can visit their website here. THE-INTL

"THE WORLD IS INTERCONNECTED AND INTERDEPENDENT. "GESTURING TO THE SPREAD ON THE TABLE, "THIS COFFEE IS FROM COLOMBIA AND THESE ORANGES? THEY'RE NOT FROM DENMARK - THEY'RE FROM MOROCCO!" AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHAT IS GOOD FOR PEOPLE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD IS GOOD FOR ALL PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS CONNECTED."

GARBA'S PICTURES FROM GOREEISLAND AND PETRA

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HOW TO FIND A JOB IN DENMARK WITHOUT KNOWING DANISH

TALENT ACQUISITION PROFESSIONAL LUKE HANNON SHARES RELEVANT TIPS AND HINTS IN YOUR CAREER SEARCH. PHOTOGRAPHS PEXELS

TEXT LUKE HANNON

I

I MOVED TO Denmark 5 years ago without speaking a word of “If you don’t create a strong personal brand, you’re seriously limiting your chances of finding a new job."

Danish.

Looking back, it was kind of a crazy (or stupid?) thing to do.

Moving to a new country and being unable to communicate with others was a challenge, but I’m glad I stuck with it. Five years later, I have a job I love, a family I love even more, and a relatively good grasp of the Danish language. I just wish I had a simple guide to follow to survive and thrive when I started my job search.

So, if you’ve just moved to Denmark or been here a while - this is for you!

LOOK FOR MULTINATIONAL COMPANIES Did you know that Mærsk has offices in 130 countries?

And that Lego has offices from Denmark to Shanghai? I’m not saying that you should only focus your job search on large, multinational companies, but due to the size and scale of these companies, it’s far more likely to use English as the office language to allow communication between the different offices. Despite not speaking Danish, I found my first job in Denmark at a company called Unity, as it was a large multinational tech company. They had an international team of recruiters and were happy to add one more to the team.

Looking for a job in Denmark, but you don’t speak Danish? Focus your search on multinational companies!

LUKE HANNON SENIOR TALENT ACQUISITION PARTNER

CREATE A PERSONAL BRAND Creating a personal brand is the single best thing you can do to find a job.

It’s the reason I got the job I have now. It’s the reason I started my own side business (message me to get hired) and it’s the reason for so many friends and acquaintances. It’s important to apply for jobs, but it’s essential to be visible online by writing on places like LinkedIn. This means recruiters can find YOU. If you don’t create a strong personal brand, you’re seriously limiting your chances of finding a new job.

So, what should you write about?

Always write about what you know. If you're a software engineer, write about the challenges you can solve with your technical knowledge. If you're a student, write about your experiences in Denmark and what you've learned.

Anything goes, just make it authentic and make it your voice.

Build a personal brand and watch the recruiters swarm to you.

LEARN DANISH CULTURAL NORMS Language is an important part of Danish work culture, but it’s only one part.

There are so many other things that you can learn to help you integrate into the Danish work culture. Denmark prides itself on flat hierarchies and an approachable, informal management style.

If you want to thrive in the Danish workplace, it’s crucial to think independently and be comfortable discussing ideas with your colleagues, and you need to be able to challenge authority.

The same goes for teamwork.

The lone genius type only really works in movies. Danish companies value teamwork highly when assessing new hires. If there are two candidates of similar ability, the one who works best in a team will get the job every time.

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To find a job in Denmark, you need to be comfortable working as part of a team.

LEARN DANISH Okay, okay!

I know I said that you can find a job without speaking Danish.

You can! But learning Danish is still a huge advantage to not only being able to speak with Danes but also to understand the culture. It will open up a whole new understanding of Danish life and help you to fit in amongst your colleagues. Check out classes from your kommune, hire a private tutor or find a Danish friend to teach you. You won’t regret it.

Learn Danish and watch opportunities open up for you.

That's it! Follow these tips to find a job in Denmark without speaking Danish!

Stay tuned for next month! THE-INTL

Luke is a Senior Talent Acquisition Partner at SYBO Games, t he comp a ny b e h i nd t he smash-hit game Subway Surfers. Based in Copenhagen (by way of London)!, he has been working to make SYBO grow.

He spends his time finding the best talent that the games community has to offer!

He is always keen to build relationships by bringing passion and enthusiasm to the recruitment process. An advocate of Employer Branding, Luke works with the talented people at SYBO to let the world know how great a place it is to work.

When he's not hiring awesome talents for SYBO or cycling (he does live in Copenhagen, after all!), he's busy reading his favourite books and channelling his inner Hemingway as a writer! @Luke Hannon @ Hannon Recruits @ hannonrecruits

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LIVING ABROAD ALONE - UPS AND DOWNS PHOTOGRAPHS PEXELS

TEXT OPHELIA WU

A

AS EXPATS, CHANCES are this is not our first move. For whatever reason, relocation is both an exciting and daunting experience. If you moved to Denmark with your family or partner, congratulations. It's a good start to having a little sense of home and anchoring in a new country.

I have always moved abroad on my own.

Moving to Denmark was not my first.

When I was young, I moved to London for school, and it was a whole different world.

As a student, you get thrown into all sorts of fun organisations and clubs, and there’s so much good stuff and help that’s so welcoming and supportive for students. But when I moved to Denmark, it was another story. I moved to Denmark just because I wanted to. Without a place, a partner, a job, a contract or any education, I bought a one-way ticket and moved from London after ten years of living there alone. Sure, I met many friends and people during my time in London. It was great fun and the best years of my life, so what’s one more move to Denmark? I met local friends here throughout my work and travels, so the idea of moving here had been brewing for a while. Now, in hindsight, I finally understand why everyone (every Danish friend of mine) said it’s so crazy and cool at the same time for me to move to Denmark just because. It was a little crazy.

THE UPS OF LIVING ABROAD ALONE Perhaps I’ve been used to living abroad alone since I was 21. It’s always so fun to enjoy that level of freedom and take control of everything in my life, down to where I want to sit and have an ice cream at home. There’s so much room to meet new people, go out at any given time, and come home without worrying that I’d be told off, asked 1000 questions, or wake up any family members. Every day is exciting to encounter anything, especially in London, where you can very easily walk down the street, stop by a pub, grab a pint and meet new people who take you to parties at night. You have so much time and space to explore every bit of the city, plan your

OPHELIA WU FASHION CONSULTANT & JOURNALIST

"AS MUCH AS WE ENJOY OUR SPACE AND TIME, WE HUMANS NEED CONNECTION, HELP, AND INTERACTION." day, and do as you wish. In other words, just live the life you want without explaining it to anyone. The possibility is infinite if you open up your senses and space.

THE DOWNS Now, who are we kidding? All of us expats had moments of reality checks. The downsides of living abroad alone are sometimes unbearable. While riding on all the woohoo joy and fun, sometimes reality hits, and you realise how lonely it can be. You may be homesick and missing your family and closest friends. The idea of being unable to pick up a call and meet up in the next hour daunts you, and you're now miles apart, time zones away. During festive seasons, if you're alone, all that liberation becomes a nostalgic cloud hanging above your head. Maybe you wish you had someone, your family is here, or just someone to share the joy and day with. When you get sick, it hits hardest.

If you're lucky to have friends and colleagues that you're close with, then you have someone to take care of you or help

you out a bit, but if you don't, your world suddenly flips upside down, and all that silence you enjoy becomes a miserable feeling. On a more practical side, things like moving homes, asking for advice, sharing ideas, etc. If you're living abroad alone without friends, the sense of solitude and helplessness in getting things done quicker or finding a solution affects your emotional well-being. As much as we enjoy our space and time, we humans need connection, help, and interaction.

As an expat, I have been fortunate that despite being far from my family and closest friends, I’ve always made new friends everywhere I go and maintain a solid social circle and lifestyle. But that doesn’t mean all is without struggle. It just makes it easier to get through with that support you have. If you have your dear ones with you, hold onto them and don’t be shy about showing love, support and care for each other; if you haven’t yet, go out and make new friends and build your support system while enjoying all the freedomthey can, and they should co-exist. THE-INTL

L i ke he r hometow n Hong Kong, Ophelia has a diverse background and upbringing.

She moved to Copenhagen in 2019 after 10 years of living in London. Her fashion and journalism career began in 2007 at ELLE Hong Kong magazine, and later on as an online stylist at Net-A-Porter.com in the UK; she has worked with all sorts of creatives, brands and celebrities globally.

She now works on everything fashion and communicationrelated. With her love of travelling and places her work brought her to, people she met from all walks of life inspired her to start her own business M for Minimal: a place to raise the awareness of going back to basics through conscious consumption and mindfulness with a touch of spirituality - something she has been practising since her teenage years. @mforminimal.com @mforminimal.mfm @opheliawu

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THE POWER OF STORYTIME AND READING PHOTOGRAPHS PEXELS

TEXT MONIKA PEDERSEN

O

ONE OF THE best lifelong gifts you can give a child is an education, especially the basics of numeracy and literacy. Learning these skills and other fundamental ones begins much earlier than starting nursery or primary school. It starts with all the interactions, activities, and means of stimulation a parent provides from birth.

"Reading gives you wings."

STORYTIME

One important activity is reading to a baby and having him/her touch the pages of a book and enjoy the colourful pictures within.

As a baby grows, the activity becomes more enriching.

Children enjoy stories read to them at home, especially at bedtime. Reading before a child goes to sleep often helps him/her sleep more soundly, for a certain comfort and reassurance emanate.

Moreover, reading to a child early on has other positive advantages. It helps a child’s language skills by absorbing word patterns and vocabulary, which will come into play when they learn to speak and interact with others.

Researchers argue that a child in their formative years who has had good exposure to storytime has a better academic pathway.

Teachers continue the thread by delivering story time regularly at school. Reading a cross-section of books or poems helps build a child’s understanding of the world around them and develops a sense of empathy towards others. By discussing the story, the characters, and their feelings and relating them to their own lives, a child learns to appreciate others, different cultures, and alternative perspectives.

Then, a huge step occurs, usually between the ages of five and six, when children learn to read for themselves.

HOW DOES A CHILD LEARN TO READ? There are two primary schools of thought regarding teaching a child to read.

WHOLE WORD APPROACH The first is known as the ‘whole word approach’, where a child learns to read by being systematically exposed to ‘sight’ or frequently seen words, which are slowly memorised. The focus is on learning the word and not breaking it into sounds.

This approach embraces literature and various reading sources, so a child has a lot of exposure to different materials, contexts, and experiences.

It also involves teaching children to use contextual cues to guess the meaning of a printed word, so pictures are essential to make connections and to give the words meaning.

PHONIC SOUNDS AND DECODING The other approach to reading involves learning the sounds of letters. Although a child is taught the alphabet and its sounds in a particular order, phonic letter sound learning does not use this order. It uses a special order to teach and build up simple words.

Children are taught each letter by learning the sound and the name of the letter. Part of the process involves a song and a story that repeats the letter sound being taught. Visuals are also used so

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MONIKA PEDERSEN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATOR Monika comes from the London area of the UK, where she a child’s senses are truly engaged to drill the sound into memory.

The first letter group is: ‘ s, a, t, i, p, n,’ followed by the second group, ‘c k, e, h, r, m, d’, the third, ‘g, o, u, l, f, b’, the fourth ‘ai, j, oa, ie, ee, or’, the fifth ‘z, w, ng, v, oo, oo’, the sixth’ y, x, ch, sh, th, th’, and the final group, ‘qu, ou, oi, ue, er, or’.

The groupings are constructed so that very simple words can be blended together in each section. For example, after learning the sounds in the first grouping, words such as ‘sat’, ‘pin’, and ‘tan’, among others, can be understood. The words in the groupings are built upon, so more words can be learned. A series of reading books have been developed to complement this reading process.

When a child comes across a new word, s/he can use the skills taught to pronounce the sounds, run them together, and sound out the new word.

I CAN READ! A child can read with a lot of encouragement, consistent practice, energy and confidence!

It is a fantastic journey, and the day that a child can read alone, just with an adult by their side for comfort, brings an indescribable joy to a child. As a teacher or parent, it is a milestone to be cherished and celebrated. THE-INTL Sources:

worked in the state system and the international school system, as an English teacher of 11-18 students and then a high school principal. She has also worked in leadership roles in Germany and in Denmark. She has an overview of the British, International, American, and the Danish system. She has many years of experience and continues to enjoy the profession. She has relocated to Copenhagen and enjoys the city and summer house life with her Danish husband.

https://childmind.org/article/why-is-it-important-to-read-to-your-child https://raisingchildren.net.au/babies/play-learning/literacy-reading-stories/reading-storytelling https://ecl410reading.weebly.com/whole-word-approach.html https://study.com/academy/lesson/the-whole-language-approach-to-reading.html

@monikapedersen @monikapedersen @monikapedersen

11

ART IN DENMARK

PHOTOGRAPHS SKAGENS MUSEUM

TEXT DOMINIC J STEVENSEN

A

ART SPINS THE world on its axis and sends us to a place where our senses zing and we can feel differently. We can tap into emotions unexpectedly. A small minority of people present the world to the layperson in uncertain, vivid, and challenging terms.

They provide a window to escapism. Art captures life in endless, soulful and otherworldly ways, as nothing else can.

I know of the Scandinavians behind Moomins, A-ha, Ane Brun, Erling Kagge, and Edvard Munch, but what about the most famous creative Danes?

Not only are there galleries, museums, and music venues in the capital, Copenhagen but other cities and even smaller towns of Denmark herald celebrations of creativity, if, unsurprisingly, not on the same scale. In fact, I am frequently surprised at stumbling across little pockets that both spill with and invite creativity (I recently discovered a Danish artist’s work in a little pancake eatery near Blåvand).

Denmark can be an open-minded place at times. Things feel possible here that did not elsewhere. I can sense the art inside myself tingling, jostling to emerge, flourishing because this land inspires it.

Which brings me to Skagen. A place I have yet to visit in body, if not in mind. Of the famed Skagen painters, the name P. S. Krøyer appears prevalent in the movement, with one stunning beach-related painting often chosen as a highlight – and other gems a little less visible – waiting to be unearthed. Thomas Kluge’s name kept appearing, too. He is currently the most well-known portrait painter in Denmark and specialises in works depicting the Danish royal family.

Denmark is widely known for its Viking heritage and culture. It has obviously informed a great deal of art, dating back to over a thousand years ago, from Viking/ Norse art (in its six distinguishing styles and with its key functionality and symbolism – Norse knotwork patterns) itself – including a wide range of jewellery,

DOMINIC J STEVENSON WRITER / MUSICIAN / ARTIST D om i n ic J Steve n s on i s a 3-time published author and cups, stones, decorative furnishings, and a plethora of materials beyond its prevalent wood – to all things modern. The National Museum of Denmark contains much about Vikings (known as magnificent shipbuilders and sailors), but you cannot go far without encountering something Vikingrelated in Danish culture.

Hans Christian Andersen is the ultimate famous creative Dane (How have I got this far without mentioning that wily old legend?). His storytelling is globally recognised, his tales dark, tragic, yet undeniably enthralling. A global master of the macabre, his stories are visceral art.

There is a refusal to bow to the ‘happily ever after’ element in his children’s stories. Some might keep their kids from the ugly reality of his stories, but that would be to resist their beauty and almost endless charm.

World-famous Danish design and architecture also infuse daily Danish life, the hyggeligt buildings and the way they have lights strung up and installed both indoors and outside, a sharp, architectural, and absorbingly unique take on what everyone else is doing in – some might say – inferior style. There is no denying the Danish approach to design; architecture is dripping

with the artistic. Immediately springing to mind are sharp, modern edifices in Vejle, Aarhus, and Copenhagen, of course, and quirky, unexpected stabs of creativity, trolls, giant men, and much more, can be found just about anywhere, not to mention something as simple a chair. In the hands of a Dane, it becomes so much more.

Obviously, art is more than just painters and the motionless visual element.

Beyond that, Tove Ditlevsen, Agnes Obel, Iceage, Lars von Trier, Thomas Vinterberg, and numerous brilliant actors stand out from my past forays into meaningful and spellbinding Danish creative magic.

Art, for me, has always been more than paintings, sculptures, and drawings, and that which is mostly found in museums and galleries. It’s the sonic, the literary, the cinematic, the comedic, the theatrical, and the architectural. It is much more beyond those, too. It is an inherent part of daily Danish life, embedded in its culture, appearing when least expected. What a wonder to consider living in a place in which the sky really does appear to be the limit. Art appeared to leak out of the most hidden little corners, suggesting unpredictability was one of the broad subject matter’s chief criteria. THE-INTL

the creator of the Literary Portrait / Visual Artwork project. He comes from Nottingham, England (Robin Hood land) and is a husband and father. He is a writer, musician, and artist. His writing has been published on many platforms - both online and in magazine format. He has lived in Denmark since 2022, in several European countries before that, and has recorded one album as Vincent Bella (The Dark Side Pulling At Us) and speaks fluent Spanish. He is enjoying learning Danish, albeit rather slowly.

He loves the arts (music, film/ TV, literature, impressionism and more), tennis, football (Nottingham Forest FC), travel, languages, laughter, and Lego.

Dominic J Stevenson

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12

ADULTING WITH A DISABILITY PHOTOGRAPHS PEXELS

TEXT MICHAELA MEDVEDOVÁ / SARA R. NEWELL

N

NEEDLESS TO SAY, when a young person with special needs turns 18, their disability doesn't simply go away. If a young person was dependent on the support of their caretakers before, their situation does not change just because their cake suddenly celebrates 18 candles.

In a previous article, we have covered some of the issues that come with this transition into adulthood. In this issue, we will dive deeper into two areas of help in adulthood, namely the possibilities of public financial support and legal guardianship.

PUBLIC FINANCIAL SUPPORT In some cases, a young person with a disability might require and be eligible for public financial support due to their disability. Ret&Råd Advokater compiles a few means of financial support available for a person with a disability after they turn 18: Early retirement: A young person with a disability might be awarded an early pension after turning 18. Ret&Råd reports that "the early retirement pension (førtidspension) "is independent of assets. This means that the child can have child savings, inheritance and other assets without it being decisive for the size of the early retirement pension.

In return, income, including income from the assets, will be offset against the benefit."

However, the rules for granting early retirement for someone younger than 40 had been tightened in 2013.

Housing insurance: If the young person lives in a rented space, they might be entitled to housing insurance. Ret&Råd reports that "the benefit will only be reduced if the applicant and other residents in the home have a total asset that exceeds 779.800 DKK (2021).

Any assets of children do not count." A special set of rules may apply if a person has a severe mobility impairment.

Reimbursement for additional expenses due to a disability: a person with special needs who has turned 18 might still have additional expenses due to their disability. However, as reported in the previous article, support, such as vital assistance at home, can be discontinued after a child turns 18.

GUARDIANSHIP If a child cannot take care of themselves, their circumstances, and their finances due to having a severe disability, their parents or caretakers can apply for guardianship (værgemål), allowing the guardian to have full or partial control over the young person's affairs. To become a guardian, contact the Family Court (Familieretshuset). They will process your application and come up with the decision.

If a guardianship application is successful, the guardian must only act on the young person's behalf in the scope covered by the guardianship order, and this scope depends on the individual situation and needs of the person. If a guardian is appointed for your child and you don't believe they are taking care of your child's needs to the fullest extent possible, you can request that the Family Court appoint a different guardian.

However, as we reported last year, applying for guardianship and having it granted leaves a lot to be desired. While the earliest you can apply for guardianship for your child is eight weeks before their 18th birthday, the Family Court might take more than weeks to process your application.

DOES THE TRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD WORK SMOOTHLY? Not always.

A study from the Danish Appeals Board commissioned by the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Elderly reviewed 17 cases of transition from childhood to adulthood in Den-

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

She works at Umbraco as a Magical Copy Whisperer and started a podcast with her friends - @humans.of.sdu. She loves watching and talking about movies, Harry Potter, karaoke nights (even though she can't sing to save her life), and pub quizzes (winning them, to be specific).

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mark's largest municipalities, along with interviews with eight young people.

The study stressed the importance of having fixed procedures to handle the transition.

It highlighted the work of municipalities with youth units (red. counsellors who work with youth with disabilities when they are coming of age and up to the age of 30) - as this contributes to knowledge sharing across disability services for children and adults.

The study included interviews with disabled youth, showing difficulties concerning transitions associated with reimbursement for additional expenses due to a disability, along with pointing out that "there is less flexibility in everyday life, for example, it is more difficult to go on holiday with support. The young people also point out that they lack support in moving away from home and achieving increased independence."

One of the tragic examples of cutbacks in disability assistance when turning 18 is the story of Jane Risager's multi-handicapped daughter, as reported by Jyllands-Posten.

When Jane's daughter turned 18, the municipality cut back her personal and practical help from 67 hours to only 22 hours. More stories like hers can be found in our previous article.

As Charlotte Broman Mølbæk, a Danish politician and member of the Danish parliament, writes in her commentary for Altinget: "...as a 17-year-old citizen, you can get up on Tuesday with the allocated and justified help from the municipality, only to wake up on Wednesday in the same body and with the same disability on your 18th birthday, only to find that the municipality has used that occasion, to discontinue the majority of the assistance hours you had, even though your need for assistance is of course every bit as necessary today as it was yesterday."

Appealing the decision with the Danish Appeals Board might not be the fastest solution either. Charlotte writes: "You become a pawn in the system as time passes. While the case lies in the pile of papers, either with your municipality or with the Danish Appeals Board, you cannot get the necessary help and support you depend on to live a dignified life.

We must stop the municipalities' financial incentive to make mistakes or handle cases inadequately. Because even though in 2019, the Danish Appeals Board overturned a whopping 42 percent of the municipalities' decisions, there is a significant dark figure among the affected citizens and their relatives, who simply do not have the resources or the time to appeal municipal rejections." THE-INTL

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

13

FATHER CHRISTMAS

IN GREENLAND PHOTOGRAPHS VISIT GREENLAND

TEXT HEATHER STORGAARD

O

ON WHAT DAY do you celebrate Christmas? In fact, what time of day? Possibly to support Santa keeping to schedule, different European nations celebrate Christmas at different times. Germanic and Slavic Europe, from Switzerland in the South, Iceland in the West, Finland and Estonia in the East, celebrate Christmas on the evening of the 24th. In Southern and Western Europe, however, from Spain in the South to the UK in the North, Christmas is celebrated on the 25th of December. We also can't seem to agree much on where Santa Claus is travelling from: it must be cold there, but is it Finland, the North Pole or Greenland? And how about names? Father Christmas, Saint Nick, Santa Claus or the Christmas Man, as the Danish name helpfully and literally translates to, has many worldwide and probably even more unique traditions. But in Denmark, he is the Juleman, Christmas Man, and comes from Greenland.

"Despite the widespread belief throughout the Kingdom of Denmark that Santa Claus lives in Greenland, attempts to create tourism based on the concept, similar to Finnish Lapland, have failed so far."

HEATHER STORGAARD WRITER

HISTORY The first Danish-written mention of Santa Claus comes from 1898 when author Louis Moe wrote, "Santa Claus lives so far north that even the Norwegian hero and polar explorer Fridtjof Nansen has never laid eyes upon the smoke from his chimney." Later, however, this idea of living somewhere vague in the north turned into Greenland, the world's largest island and one of the three nations to make up the Kingdom of Denmark. A Santa Claus from Greenland has since been depicted on the Danish TV success Julekalendar, the children's show characterising Christmas to many Danish families, firmly cementing it in the Danish Christmas tradition.

TOURISM Despite the widespread belief throughout the Kingdom of Denmark that Santa Claus lives in Greenland, attempts to create tourism based on the concept, similar to Finnish Lapland, have failed so far. Nu-

uk is situated over 3,500 km from Copenhagen, taking approximately 5 hours to fly to from Denmark and coming at considerable expense. Previously, the world's largest post-box was situated in Greenland for the Greenlandic Christmas Man to receive post. However, this proved to be a logistical and financial challenge for the local council responsible for answering the letters, and it was shut in the mid-2010s.

While the idea could resurface, Greenland's tourism organisations focus more on cultural and adventure trips.

GREENLANDERS AT CHRISTMAS Still, for those living in Greenland, Santa

Claus visits Nuuk on the 24th of December, travelling from his home of Uummannaq (or Nissebyen, depending on who you ask) by helicopter. Upon arriving at the Greenlandic capital, he throws sweets and boiled toffies to the gathered families below, who have eagerly awaited him in the cold, dark Greenlandic winter. This Greenlandic Christmas Man is a far cry from the Father Christmas who turns up on a speedboat to Bondi Beach on the morning of the 25th in the Australian variant of AngloAmerican Christmas. While the Greenlandic winter is undoubtedly cold and dark, the Northern Lights and Santa are there to brighten it! THE-INTL

Heather Storgaard comes from Northern Scotland, grew up in Switzerland, and lived in England and Germany. She met her Danish and soon-tobe British husband back in 2017, and they now split their time between Central Scotland and Helgenæs, a peninsula in rural Eastern Jutland.

Suitably for a Scot, Heather works with whisky, spending her time writing and translating, with a particular softspot for the up-and-coming world of Nordic Whisky. @heatherstorgaard

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14

GEARING UP FOR THE COLD ONE THING IS FOR SURE: WE ARE DEFINITELY FEELING THE DARK AND COLD DAYS HERE! BUT WE ARE NOT GIVING UP ON GETTING OUTSIDE FOR FRESH AIR AND A GREAT RUN OR WORKOUT IN THE OPEN!

PHOTOGRAPHS PEXELS

TEXT ALEXANDRA BECK

T

THE AIR IS crisp, and the idea of breathing in the freshness is appealing, yet we have snow.

It’s sometimes a bit of a mission to dress for success when it’s cold, but you get hot and sweaty while exercising. How on earth does one work out with ever-changing body temperatures without freezing or overheating? Being well-equipped and prepared for winter workouts is the best way to stay motivated and enjoy them layers are key!

ALEXANDRA BECK

1. BASE LAYER

PERSONAL TRAINER &

A good quality base layer will keep your body temperature regulated. Avoid cotton that will absorb sweat and stay wet, and opt for the best sweat-wicking material you can afford. Merino wool is my top pick - with its natural anti-bacterial properties, it will keep you cool during your workout and warm as you cool down or stretch. The best part is that it also keeps the smell at bay! Synthetic fibres are also high-wicking and fast-drying, which makes them a great base-layer material - they will work with your skin and any outer layers to keep you at the right temperature throughout your workout and reduce chafing.

2. MID LAYER If the weather is poor, an insulated jacket may be your best option. For colder days, a thicker fleece or merino sweater will be great. Sometimes, your mid-layer can be used as an outer layer if the weather is dry and wind-free. The mid-layer job is to insulate, which means it will keep your body warm as you move, so it should fit comfortably between your base and outer layers and loosely enough to allow heated air between it and your body but not loose enough for that air to escape. Another great mid-layer material choice is down - it’s exceptional at insulating due to its warmth-to-weight properties.

3. OUTER LAYER The role of your outer layer will be to protect you from wind and rain. So, a wind-

NUTRITION COACH Alex is a Swiss/Brit mom and wife who has lived in Copenhagen since 2009. She switched from corporate life in communications to the independent life of an outdoor personal and group fitness trainer. She coaches people of all ages and fitness levels to find proof running jacket and loose-fitting running pants (to wear over tights) will work well. Look for wind-blocking fabrics that breathe, like a polyester blend and avoid rubber or plastic, as these will allow moisture to build.

4. HEAD, HAND AND FOOTWEAR Wear a hat or headband, gloves and thermal socks. Protect your head and neck, as a great deal of heat escapes from these.

As with your base layer, you will want to choose a hat or headband made of technical materials to keep warmth and sweat out.

Our extremities (feet and hands) are especially prone to cold. As our body temperature drops, blood from the extremities is shunted to our core, which can shield us against hypothermia but can

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leave our fingers and toes susceptible to frostbite. So be sure to wear gloves or mittens that provide appropriate insulation.

As for your feet, remember the points about material choice above. It’s usually best to keep the same thickness of socks you wear with your shoes but opt for longer versions to ensure ankle coverage.

The trick to staying warm during your winter training is to be well-prepared.

Once a good set of layers is ready, you can add/remove items depending on weather conditions. You will see that once you are well-equipped, there will be nothing more fun and exhilarating than a good workout outdoors during winter! Hopefully, these tips will encourage you to keep up your great fitness routines during the cooler months and help you invest in the right equipment for a successful outdoor workout! THE-INTL

fun and consistency in movement through individual and group workouts. Delivering entertainment and spreading group fitness magic is her superpower. Alex encourages you to high-five her if you see her in the capital!

@alexbeck.fit @alexbeck.fit @alexbeck.fit

15

THE DANISH FILM INDUSTRY AWARD-WINNING FILMS AND SERIES.

PHOTOGRAPH TRUSTNORDICS

TEXT MARIANO ANTHONY DAVIES

D

DENMARK'S HISTORY OF filmmaking dates back to 1897. Today, a wide variety of quality onscreen drama, comedy and documentaries come out of Denmark.

DANISH FILM HISTORY The first film screening in Denmark took place in 1896. The following year, Peter Elfelt made the first Danish produced films.

The first movie theatres began to appear in 1904, and 1906, Ole Olsen founded the Nordisk Film Company. Beginning in 1910, the Nordisk Film Company gambled on producing full-length feature films. This was the beginning of the golden age of Danish cinema.

Nordisk Film soon dedicated itself to making full-length feature films for export. Its success made Denmark a centre for filmmaking in Europe and launched the career of iconic figures like Asta Nielsen, Europe's first female movie star.

By the 1920s, the Danish Director Carl Dreyer had emerged as one of the greatest Directors of silent pictures. His drama "The Passion of Joan of Arc" has been called the most influential film of its time.

Then, as sound films became more popular, language barriers made Danish films less suited for international export. Most Danish films from the 1930s-1980s were light comedies, with a few notable exceptions like the "film noir" directed by Danish actress Bodil Ipsen. By the 1960s and 1970s, erotic films from Denmark started to gain the attention of world audiences.

The Danish Film Institute was founded in 1972 to provide state subsidies for selected Danish movie projects. In 1989, it broadened the definition of films it would support - a development that laid the foundation for a revival of Danish film.

THE "DOGMA" FILMMAKERS By 1995, four ambitious young film Directors emerged and made a "Vow of Chasity", committing themselves to truer and simpler filmmaking. They believed that Hollywood's dependence on bigbudget special-effects movies had weakened the art of cinema. A radical change was needed.

The four film Directors were Lars von Trier, Thomas Vinterberg, Kristian Levring and Søren Kragh-Jacobsen. Together, they created and signed "The Dogma Manifesto", an artistic initiative that was the basis for several Danish films that became popular all over the world - particularly Vinterberg's "The Celebration" and von Trier's "Dancer in the Dark".

FROM "BABETTE'S FEAST" TO CONTEMPORARY DANISH FILM Gabriel Axel's 1988 film "Babette's Feast" is most noteworthy, set in rural Denmark. It was the first Danish film to win an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Picture. The following year, "Pelle the Conqueror", directed by Bille August, won the same prize as the Golden Palm in Cannes.

Since then, seven Danish films have been nominated for the Best Foreign Language Picture award, including Susanne Bier's 2011 film "In a Better World", which won the award.

"Babette's Feast" was also the first of ten Danish films to be nominated for Best European Film at Cannes, and since then, Denmark has won that prize twice with films by Lars von Trier, including "Breaking the Waves" in 1996 and "Dancer in the Dark" in 2000.

MARIANO ANTHONY DAVIES PRESIDENT & CEO OXFORD BUSINESS SERVICES APS Mariano has over 40 years global experience as a bus iness executive. He spent ten years with KPMG, so far thirty years with British Chambers of Commerce (while also running Oxford Business Services ApS). He is a British citizen, Today, the most active Danish film Directors include Nicolai Winding Refn, Susanne Bier, Thomas Vinterberg, Nikolaj Arcel and Martin Zandvliet. In recognition of these developments, "Another Round" by Thomas Vinterberg became the fourth Danish film to win an Oscar in 2020.

who grew up in Kent, went to boarding school in Sussex and has a British university education. He has been married to a Dane for over 45 years and

MODERN TRENDS

has held over 150 official an-

Biopics and period dramas are trending as the gender debate rages onscreen and in the film industry. Folk comedies are alive and kicking, and Jussi Adler crime films are packing cinemas, while the Earth dies with Lars von Trier. Skilled documentarians show both the good life and the hard life.

However, DVDs are disappearing as streaming emerges.

Four Danish film workshops help develop new talent: Aarhus Film Workshop, Film Workshop Copenhagen, Odense Film Workshop, and the Animation Workshop in Viborg. All four are funded by the Film Institute under the umbrella of the Foundation of Film Talent. Other links in the food chain include StationNext, a film school for children and youth in Avedøre and Aarhus, and the European Film College in Ebeltoft.

Production companies range from well-established names, such as Nordisk Film, Zentropa, Nimbus Film, SF Studios, Miso Film, ASA Film Production and Regner Grasten Film, to several new companies that made their mark in the 2010s, including Beo Starling, Profile Pictures, Snowglobe, Rocket Road Pictures, Adomeit Film, Toolbox Film, Final Cut for Real and Danish Documentary.

Many Danish Directors are now making English-language films in the US and the UK. THE-INTL

ti-Brexit speeches since 2016.

He both speaks and writes Danish without difficulty. oxford-business.com

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16

BEST NORDIC CHRISTMAS FILMS

PHOTOGRAPHS MOVIE TIME / MIDNIGHT SUN FILM FESTIVAL / IMDB / DEN DANSKE FILMINSTITUT / DR

TEXT DOMINIC J STEVENSEN

T

THE NORDIC CHRISTMAS scene has become something of a fascination for me in recent years. They cannot make priceless ones fast enough, naturally; nor can the huge money-wielding machines of countries like the US with their now-perennial annual seasonal releases. 'A good/decent Christmas film (even some rubbish ones) can be a serious money-spinner.

This desire to find sparkling festive movies means delving into the past, where I found several Finnish gems and some worthwhile Danish ones, to also aid in learning the language as well as getting one into the gay spirit (or to get people ready for seven shades of hell to break loose at Christmas time – some people love a good celebration by inviting turmoil over for a somewhat-singed Christmas dinner). I found films from different eras that I will revisit repeatedly over the years, share with my children, and revel in time and again. On the other side, some will easily slip from my memory.

I am also hunting the Swedish, Icelandic, and Norwegian to give myself an accurate idea of traditional Nordic and Danish. However, it is often the case that English-language subtitles are nowhere in sight, and it is problematic to even catch a highly recommended film.

I will start with the Finnish classic Joulutarina (2007). It is an extraordinary film and story so beautifully told, so Scandinavian in its inherent magic, I almost felt I glided across the elegant snow, a part of the scenery that witnessed the passing of the tale of Saint Nicholas. It is a genuinely delightful picture that not only encapsulates the majesty of the joyous period but also somehow goes far beyond it, too, the warm human aspect at its very core astounding. Everybody should see it at least once. Following that, Finnish wonders to stand out are dated but still spell-like, The White Reindeer – a haunting horror-folk tale from 1952 – and the more recent and madcap Rare Exports: A

DOMINIC J STEVENSON WRITER / MUSICIAN / ARTIST D om i n ic J Steve n s on i s a 3-time published author and the creator of the Literary Christmas Tale (2010). They show abundantly clearly that nobody does Christmas like the Finns do.

Owing to all the modern platforms to watch films and TV on, it feels like you get left behind if you do not subscribe to all of them. This has me unable, at present, to witness some festive flicks I have heard and seen good things about. It would be great to catch last year’s merry Finnish entry Kulkuset Kulkuset (Jingle Bells) or the recent Swedish spin-off Long Live the Bonus Family from a popular TV series.

Closer to home in Denmark, Den Tid På Året, by and starring Danish powerhouse Paprika Steen, is a feisty Christmas cracker, reminding us once again that getting the family together over the holiday period can cause unexpected fireworks. Julefrokosten (The Christmas Party) is a slapstick comedic riot featuring Danish legends Thure Lindhardt, ex-supermodel Helena Christensen, Kim Bodnia, Ghita Nørby, Søren Malling, and Anders W Berthelsen.

Another film that stands out is Echo, an Icelandic series of vignettes based around Christmas. Hailing from Nottingham, it would be remiss of me not to men-

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tion the Robin Hood-esque 2021 Swedish film, Sagan om Karl-Bertil Jonssons julafton, in which a post office worker takes gifts from the rich to give to the poor citizens of Stockholm in a merry romp for all the family.

For the younger viewers, there is the trilogy (thus far) of films, Julemandens datter (All I Want for Christmas) and Little Brother, Big Trouble: A Christmas Adventure, which involved the clubbing together of Finland, Denmark, Germany, and Ireland in the creation of this 3D digitally animated comedy-adventure film.

There are also the annual julekalender TV programmes that end up resembling long films, with their twenty-four advent calendar episodes leading up to the final episodes on Christmas Eve. Many are available from past years and are more than entertaining to keep your excitable kids calm for a while in the run-up to the festivities.

If anybody knows of anything that can be easily watched and is a worthwhile addition to what I hope will become an everexpanding list, please let me know. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and happy festive viewing! THE-INTL

Portrait / Visual Artwork project. He comes from Nottingham, England (Robin Hood land) and is a husband and father. He is a writer, musician, and artist. His writing has been published on many platforms - both online and in magazine format. He has lived in Denmark since 2022, in several European countries before that, and has recorded one album as Vincent Bella (The Dark Side Pulling At Us) and speaks fluent Spanish. He is enjoying learning Danish, albeit rather slowly.

He loves the arts (music, film/ TV, literature, impressionism and more), tennis, football (Nottingham Forest FC), travel, languages, laughter, and Lego.

Dominic J Stevenson

17

FOOD ART

BAKLAVA POCKETS OF CRUNCHY, SWEET AND DELICIOUS NUTTINESS DATING BACK TO THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE AND STILL DIFFICULT TO RESIST! PHOTOGRAPHS & TEXT: NATASHA LIVIERO / PEXELS

BAKLAVA MAKES APPROX 54 PIECES

INGREDIENTS: 2 cups water 2 cups sugar 1 cinnamon stick 6 cloves 2 tbsp lemon juice 1 cup walnuts, chopped 1 cup pistachios, chopped 1 tsp cinnamon powder 2 tbsp castor sugar 200g salted butter, melted Phyllo pastry (approximately 9 sheets)

NOTES: IF YOU NEED TO USE A MUCH LARGER TRAY, SIMPLY DOUBLE THE INGREDIENT QUANTITIES.

METHOD: 1. Set oven to 1300C. 2. Begin making the syrup by combining the water, sugar, cinnamon stick, cloves, and lemon juice and bringing it to a boil over medium heat. Boil for around 15-20 minutes until a light syrup consistency develops. Set aside to cool completely.

3. Combine the chopped nuts, cinnamon powder, and castor sugar in a bowl.

4. Take a sheet of phyllo pastry, fold it half lengthways and measure the longest edge. Choose a baking tray slightly longer than the folded phyllo sheet, as the rolls must fit snugly when baking.

For this recipe, a 36cm x 28cm baking tray fits 9 rolls of baklava.

5. Lightly butter the bottom of your baking tray. Butter a single sheet of phyllo pastry, fold it half length-ways, and butter it again. With a teaspoon, carefully spoon the nut mixture along the long edge of the pastry. Roll the edge snugly over the nuts, tuck in and gently roll up the remainder of the pastry. Repeat with the remaining phyllo sheets and nuts until your tray is full.

6. Slice each completed phyllo roll into 6cm slices before baking for 1h15 — 1h20. The phyllo will be slightly coloured and crisp all around.

7. Remove from the oven and immediately spoon the cooled syrup over the hot baklava. The amount you spoon over the baklava will depend on how syrupy you like it. For a 36cm x 28cm baking tray, It will be somewhere between 3/4 of the total amount of syrup.

8. Leave to cool in the baking tray. Most of the syrup absorbs into the baklava as it cools.

9. Store cooled baklava in the tray covered tightly with cling film or transfer it to an airtight container and store it in a cool room for up to three days.

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

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ENHANCING INCLUSION

LEVERAGING EXISTING INTERNATIONAL TALENT IN DENMARK

PHOTOGRAPHS PEXELS

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DENMARK, LIKE MANY other countries, is facing a talent shortage, leading to a concerted effort to attract candidates from abroad. However, in this pursuit, there is a crucial aspect often overlooked – the internationals already residing in the country.

What if these individuals were included in the processes right from the start? Despite the growing emphasis on attracting global talent, both private and public organisations in Denmark often neglect the internationals already present within the country. This oversight becomes particularly evident when organising events, where the target audience is frequently forgotten in the selection of speaker panels.

TEXT GREETE ELURI

"EVEN IF A DANE HAS BEEN AN EXPAT THEMSELVES, THEIR PERSPECTIVE MAY NOT FULLY ALIGN WITH THAT OF AN INTERNATIONAL."

GREETE ELURI

A PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE

Career Counsellor

As someone who has called Denmark home since 2010, I have witnessed a surprising lack of inclusion by companies striving to retain or attract international talent. My firsthand experience, along with insights from my international network and daily work as a career counsellor, sheds light on this prevalent issue. Events geared towards internationals in Denmark often feature speakers who are Danes. This raises a pertinent question – can a Dane effectively guide an international on living, working, and studying in Denmark? The inherent cultural differences suggest otherwise. Even if a Dane has been an expat themselves, their perspective may not fully align with that of an international.

In 2019, I was approached to teach an 'Employability' class to international students, marking the inception of a pilot project.

Despite doubts about my teaching abilities, my unique perspective as an international who had navigated the challenges of settling in a new country made me the chosen candidate. The positive feedback from students emphasised the value of having a relatable instructor who had undergone a similar journey.

Greete Eluri was born in Tallinn, Estonia and has lived in four countries and continents. Since 2010, Denmark has become her second home.

Her background is in marketing and e-commerce. She has spent the last three years doing what she loves - helping internationals and Danes in the local job market. For the last seven years, she has been ac-

INCLUSIVITY To address the need for inclusivity, companies and organisations can take simple yet impactful steps. For instance, inviting internationals to share their stories at company events can provide valuable insights for future employees. Each international brings a unique story, contributing to greater awareness and understanding. Inclusion is not just about surface-level understanding, such as knowing what Danes eat at julefrokost. It extends to uncovering the everyday quirks and nuances that may escape the awareness of Danes themselves. Internationals can offer perspectives that enrich the cultural understanding within the workplace.

For companies and organisations dealing with internationals in Denmark, true integration starts with seemingly small acts. Including internationals in events and processes can bridge the gap, fostering a deeper cultural understanding that benefits both the

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tively creating content on job searching, personal developinternationals and the Danish community. This approach not only enhances the experiences of internationals but also contributes to a more diverse and culturally rich work environment.

Denmark's focus on attracting global talent should not overshadow the significance of recognising and incorporating the existing international community. By actively involving internationals in various aspects of Danish society, from events to decision-making processes, the country can harness the diverse perspectives and experiences that these individuals bring. This not only aids in talent retention but also promotes a more inclusive and culturally aware society, benefiting both locals and internationals alike. THE-INTL

ment, employer branding and the future of leadership on Linkedin. Greete believes that you can succeed in Denmark with the right mindset, skills and tools (and some luck). @greeteeluri

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A MINDFUL CHRISTMAS PHOTOGRAPHS PEXELS

TEXT OPHELIA WU

C

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS, GLØGG, Christmas markets, Christmas shopping - it's getting festive and, for some, stressful. While Christmas means differently to individuals, it's refreshing to have a mindful Christmas without much stress (or, if you want, don't give a f*ck!).

A mindful Christmas is for you and others. It can be stressful to feel the pressure whether you're a guest or a host. The idea of having a perfect festive season is so real. From finding the perfect outfit or gift to offer as a guest to planning the perfect julefrokost, putting together a great guest list and playlist, and just sorting out the schedule with about 25 people, it is very stressful. So, being mindful is having all those thoughts in your mind but staying calm and forget about the 'perfect' part.

After all, it's all about spending quality time with each other and catching up on what's new in each other's life.

For your own sake, just do whatever you want and permit yourself not to feel guilty if you say no to any invitations or family traditions. Here are some ideas:

OPHELIA WU FASHION CONSULTANT & JOURNALIST

1. REALLY, DON'T LET ANYONE DECIDE FOR YOU. For many, Christmas is a jolly season, but it might be the opposite for some. So when it comes to what to do for Christmas and the holiday, you should choose what makes you feel most comfortable. So often, we get pressured into attending parties or following some traditions- if they mean something to you, then hold onto it. But if you're like any expats living in Denmark with your own tradition or a way to celebrate, feel free to do whatever you want. Don't be made to feel guilty to excuse yourself from any gatherings you don't feel like attending. It is absolutely okay to set a boundary, from saying no to alcohol to how many events you will attend and a budget for presents. Do whatever feels right to you, and it will take a lot of stress off.

2. WHILE YOU CELEBRATE, ALSO BE MINDFUL OF OTHERS. It is a festive season where families and friends get together, but some are less lucky than others. Christmas might be a

'universal' thing, but for some, it is for religious reasons that they don't celebrate it.

So, be mindful that not everyone wants to do something for Christmas and respect their wishes to spend it their way. With so much happening worldwide, it is tough for some to get into celebratory mode.

"IT IS ABSOLUTELY OKAY TO SET A BOUNDARY, FROM SAYING NO TO ALCOHOL TO HOW MANY EVENTS YO U W I L L AT T E N D A N D A B U D G ET FOR PRESENTS. DO WHATEVER FEELS RIGHT TO YOU, AND IT WILL TAKE A LOT OF STRESS OFF."

3. BUY LESS, BUY BETTER. Christmas also means a time for gift shopping. Instead of making it to the bottom of the list, why not try to buy something that lasts longer, is better quality, and serves some purpose. It is also a good time to get crafty and do some DIYs. Remember, it's the thoughts that count. Also, don't be afraid to spend as little or as much as you want according to your budget, not anyone else's.

4. JUST ENJOY! The festive season is all about enjoying yourself and others' company. Yes, it is

magical - it is Christmas, and it is probably the one time of the year that you get to spend time with your relatives and family members. That is precisely the reason why we should all just enjoy and relax. Take the opportunity to find out what's going on with your loved ones' lives, update each other, and if you are not a big talker, just listen and nod with a smile.

But having said that, just go and enjoy your holiday the way you want, with who you want, and however you want it to be.

I hope you get to spend it with the people who love you and you love. THE-INTL

L i ke he r hometow n Hong Kong, Ophelia has a diverse background and upbringing.

She moved to Copenhagen in 2019 after 10 years of living in London. Her fashion and journalism career began in 2007 at ELLE Hong Kong magazine, and later on as an online stylist at Net-A-Porter.com in the UK; she has worked with all sorts of creatives, brands and celebrities globally.

She now works on everything fashion and communicationrelated. With her love of travelling and places her work brought her to, people she met from all walks of life inspired her to start her own business M for Minimal: a place to raise the awareness of going back to basics through conscious consumption and mindfulness with a touch of spirituality - something she has been practising since her teenage years. @mforminimal.com @mforminimal.mfm @opheliawu

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‘TIS THE SEASON TO BE GROOVY INDEED IT IS! WE ARE ALL EAGERLY WAITING FOR 2024 TO KICKSTART A NEW, IMPROVED, INCREDIBLY GOAL-FETCHING YEAR, BUT WHY WAIT?

PHOTOGRAPHS PEXELS

TEXT ALEXANDRA BECK

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WHY ARE WE waiting for the perfect start of a new year to get into the groove of the mindset you procrastinated in 2023?

December is a busy, magical, sometimes stressful period, and we are masters at procrastinating the good stuff til later. This year is no different from the last, and there are already so many little steps we can take to do new and exciting stuff for everyone else and ourselves.

1. START NOW You are certainly being spammed by numerous social media posts about offers for gym memberships, personal training, local activities and countless deals for all sorts of cool things to do in your area. And guess what? The spam is because the algorithm has picked up on you eyeing up, scrolling, and spending time on these ads that have sparked your interest, even just for a few moments. So why wait? Pick one. Any one.

What is the worst that can happen? Nobody is tying you down if you don’t enjoy one or the other. And you may enjoy the activities before they get crowded in January!

ALEXANDRA BECK PERSONAL TRAINER & NUTRITION COACH Alex is a Swiss/Brit mom and wife who has lived in Copenhagen since 2009. She switched from corporate life in communications to the independent life of an outdoor personal and group fitness trainer. She coaches people of all

2. TALK ABOUT YOUR WISHES I don’t know about you, but since I have been living in Denmark, I have been asked about my “wishlist”, whether it be for Christmas, my birthday, housewarming, anniversary party or any other occasion worth celebrating. This still always surprises me - because people seem to be expecting a material list of things I must desire to own. When it comes down to it, though, my true wishes are far beyond possessions. I wish to be healthy and strong. I wish to improve my skills as a coach. I wish to grow my reach as a group fitness instructor. By voicing some, perhaps quite intangible aspirations, my surroundings get an idea of what is meaningful to me and mostly want to help by engaging in interesting sparring conversations, sharing my posts and stories on their platforms and introducing me to new people, new resources and many other inspiring ways to reach my true “wishes”. So give it a go. Speak up

ages and fitness levels to find about what really matters to you!

3. DRESS UP, GO OUT AND QUIT MAKING EXCUSES You don’t have to limit yourself to an indoor activity to get some movement in.

Dress up in some cosy winter layers and get outside. Walk around the Christmas markets, take a trip by the sea, and get some FRESH AIR. It’s proven that exercising in colder air has numerous health benefits, like a boosted immune system, better sleep quality and improved focus. If you are making up excuses for indoor and outdoor activities, you are spending a lot of energy defending why you are NOT doing something as opposed to fighting for all the reasons you should do something about your goals, health and movement patterns, am I right?

Let this be your sign to take positive action and set aside the countless limitations

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you have created for yourself to avoid doing what will ultimately help you thrive.

At the end of the day, the week, the month, or even the year (yes, I’m a big Friends fan), it will always be up to you to choose either staying still or moving forward. If you are scared of change, that’s okay; it’s quite normal, but be more afraid of staying where you are today. If you have been postponing taking action towards what you believe will make you happier, give the past year a quick checkin, and picture yourself getting towards the end of 2022 - where were you? Did you do everything you promised yourself to do in 2023?

Are you where you want to be now?

No matter what, you are doing great because you are doing your best. And sometimes, we just need a little nudge for big things to happen. Happy holidays, and I hope to see you in the New Year! THE-INTL

fun and consistency in movement through individual and group workouts. Delivering entertainment and spreading group fitness magic is her superpower. Alex encourages you to high-five her if you see her in the capital!

@alexbeck.fit @alexbeck.fit @alexbeck.fit

21

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS PHOTOGRAPHS PEXELS

TEXT MICHAELA MEDVEDOVÁ / SARA R. NEWELL

W

WHILE THE DAY dedicated to raising awareness of mental "MENTAL HEALTH IS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT FOR

health is annually on the 10th of October, in this issue, we would like to continue bringing light to this topic - and specifically take a closer look at what can impact the mental health of people with disabilities who are disproportionately suffering from poor mental health.

ALL PEOPLE. EVERYONE, WHOEVER AND WHEREVER THEY ARE, HAS A RIGHT TO THE HIGHEST ATTAINABLE STANDARD OF MENTAL HEALTH. THIS INCLUDES THE RIGHT TO BE PROTECTED

MENTAL HEALTH AMONG PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

FROM MENTAL HEALTH RISKS, THE RIGHT TO AVAILABLE, ACCESSIBLE,

According to the UDS Foundation, adults with disabilities are disproportionately experiencing poor mental health, experiencing “frequent mental distress (14 or more mentally unhealthy days in the past 30 days) almost five times as often as adults without disabilities”.

CDC estimates that in 2018, 17.4 million (32.9%) adults with disabilities experienced this mental health state.

In previous years, this was also further accentuated by the COVID-19 pandemic, as “reduced healthcare services, disrupted routines, and social isolation have been particularly detrimental to the mental health aspects of developmental disabilities and physical limitations”. In their study of mental health services for people with disabilities during the pandemic in the United States, Manning et al. found these implications: “In a two-wave study of adults with a wide range of visible and invisible disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, we found that perceived disability bias from providers significantly predicted a lower likelihood of mental health service use. These findings point to the urgent need for disability competency training and stigma reduction interventions geared toward mental health professionals.”

WHY ARE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED? The reason for this increased susceptibility might be the fact that people with disabilities, in general, face a much larger number of obstacles and barriers around them - be it actual physical barriers hindering their daily life and participation in society, lack of financial assistance or other resources, lack of support provided by system, or stereotypes, ableism, and overall adverse reactions.

The added cost of mental health assistance might also be a barrier for people whose disabilities bar them from working (or working full-time) in case private specialists are needed, resulting in prolonged issues with poor mental health.

As the UDS Foundation writes, often, doctors might see poor mental health as a direct consequence of having one or multiple disabilities rather than something that is

ACCEPTABLE, AND GOOD QUALITY CARE, AND THE RIGHT TO LIBERTY, INDEPENDENCE AND INCLUSION IN THE COMMUNITY." WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION: WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY, THE 10TH OF OCTOBER 2023

impacting a person independently. They write: “Mental health conditions are lumped together with other disability symptoms, causing poor mental health or mental illness to be overlooked entirely.” Having a disability that impacts one’s verbal abilities or understanding can also hinder access to mental health assistance: “It may also be more difficult for providers to diagnose and reduce mental health symptoms since therapists rely heavily on verbal communication.”

IS THERE HELP AVAILABLE? Unfortunately, it can be challenging to reach timely psychological help, especially if one lacks sufficient resources. Psykiatrifonden reports that while in “2012 the waiting time for treatment for anxiety at a psychologist was five weeks, today it is circa four months”.

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

She works at Umbraco as a Magical Copy Whisperer and started a podcast with her friends - @humans.of.sdu. She loves watching and talking about movies, Harry Potter, karaoke nights (even though she can't sing to save her life), and pub quizzes (winning them, to be specific).

However, there are organizations in Denmark that offer help and are fighting to improve the state of mental health assistance and mental health levels of people in Denmark.

Psykiatrifonden offers free anonymous telephone and chat advice from professional advisors and points people in acute crisis to the appropriate help. They also offer free children and youth groups for those with relatives suffering from mental health problems.

SIND also provides nationwide telephone advice, local advice around the country, consulting if you need more knowledge or advice about a mental illness, and even support when weaning off of medication.

Bedre Psykiatri provides tons of knowledge and education resources in addition to counselling for relatives of people with mental illnesses and local conversation groups of people in a similar situation.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS TO LOOK OUT FOR? If you are not sure if you - or someone close to you - is suffering from poorer mental health, here are a few signs you might want to be on the lookout for and subsequently seek out professional help:  Unusual lack of enjoyment of your preferred activities  Being more irritated, frustrated, worried, and angry or simply consistently in a bad mood  Experiencing a change in your sleeping and eating habits - whether sleeping/eating too much or too little  Decreased energy, reduced concentration and memory  Suicidal thoughts. THE-INTL

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

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MULTICULTURAL FAMILY LIFE INTERNATIONAL FAMILIES TALK ABOUT THEIR MISUNDERSTANDINGS OF DANISH CULTURE.

PHOTOGRAPHS PEXELS / VARIOUS

TEXT NATÁLIA ŠEPITKOVÁ

A

ACCORDING TO Statistics Denmark, the share of the population of immigrants and their descendants will constitute 15,4 % in 2023. The majority of immigrants in Denmark come from Turkey, Poland and Romania. Many of them moved to the country because of love. I talked with two women and one man about cultural diversity and ethnic inclusiveness in their relationships.

THE FATEFUL EXCHANGE EXPERIENCE The educated teacher, Vanessa, is from Peru. She moved to Denmark in late March 2022 after she and her boyfriend, Hans, decided to get married after many years of travelling to see each other. They met at a party in Løgumkloster Højskole in 2019, where Vanessa was on an exchange experience. Now they have one beautiful 10-month-old baby and are living in Aalborg.

New life hasn't been easy for Vanessa. "Last year, I moved, got pregnant and realised I had to start from scratch in Denmark. I have been searching for a part-time job since I got my baby to care for and am studying Danish," Vanessa says. "That is very different from my single life. I used to be economically independent."

Her husband helps her a lot with managing it. "Being through stressful situations does help to strengthen our love since we learn to work as a team. Surviving the first months as parents was harder than an IKEA furniture assembly manual."

DIFFERENT WAYS OF PARENTING The most important for them as parents is to raise their child to be tolerant and open to other cultures. "We want to teach him to be respectful and helpful and to express and manage his feelings well," Vanessa explains. "I don't want my kiddo to be macho - there is still some chauvinism in my country. For example, a boy should get more food on his plate, and a teenage girl shouldn't be outside at night because it is dangerous and shouldn't have many boyfriends. Gender equality is improving, but there is still a long way to go."

Vanessa also talks about many other differences in parenting between the Danish way and the way in her homeland. In Peru, families are more united, and most people live with their parents until their late twenties or even later while they work and study because it is cheaper to pay rent at home. One is still expected to do home chores, however. Also, parents are cared for by their kids when they grow old because the state doesn't have a policy to ensure a good lifestyle for older people. "It surprised me here in Denmark how safe the country is and how things work so well and that the government works to make life better for its people," Vanessa adds.

LOVE AT WORK Robert is a Romanian from a small village called Sarmasu, and he found himself in Denmark completely unplanned.

His cousin convinced him to try to study here, so before Christmas of 2013, he announced to his family that he would leave home. Robert studied renewable energy and building envelopes, but his current profession is different.

He is a technical operations lead in a company trading with medical equipment.

He met his Danish girlfriend Pia at work, and although they have been together for almost two years, Robert has

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"WE WANT TO TEACH HIM TO BE RESPECTFUL AND HELPFUL AND TO EXPRESS AND MANAGE HIS FEELINGS WELL. I DON'T WANT MY KIDDO TO BE MACHO - THERE IS STILL SOME CHAUVINISM IN MY COUNTRY." - VANESSA FROM PERU already learnt a lot from Danish culture and lifestyle. "It made my integration easier and more interesting," Robert explains. "She helped me with my language skills and showed me the Danish way of living, which for me counts a lot, and I am grateful for that."

Even though Robert is European, he sees many differenc-

23

Still, Rebeca and Jens have far more similarities than differences. The difference between them is in terms of culture and language. "When you live together, you always adapt to each other, but when you come from different cultures, there are so many new things to explore and understand. This is very exciting but can also be challenging because you can misunderstand each other, so you have to be open-minded and prepared to deal with misunderstandings when they happen," Rebecca explains.

MULTICULTURALISM ENRICHES When partners want to create a solid and long-lasting relationship, cultural differences and background do not have to play such a fundamental role as long as there is sincere and genuine love. On the contrary, a multicultural environment can enrich your relationship and raise you to another level.

"Through my husband's encouragement, I discovered strength training, which I now love. He has learned about aspects of my culture, especially the strong community and family values. Learning about a different culture makes us understand our own culture better for both of us," Rebecca thinks.

Her life changed after she moved to Denmark, in small daily ways too, such as the work-life balance or the lower stress level. In Rebecca's family life, being equals is essential - for example, they always divide household chores fairly. And are Danish men different from men in her homeland? "There is no fundamental difference, but Danes are generally more straightforward," Rebecca adds. THE-INTL

"IN DENMARK, PEOPLE ARE POLITE AND TRUSTWORTHY BUT GENERALLY MORE RESERVED. IT TAKES MORE TIME TO MAKE FRIENDS WITH THEM." - REBECCA FROM THE PHILIPPINES

"DANISH WOMEN ARE MORE INDEPENDENT. I HAVE OBSERVED THAT WOMEN MAKE MANY DECISIONS IN THEIR FAMILIES, WHICH IS OPPOSITE TO MY CULTURE." - ROBERT FROM ROMANIA

es between his and his girlfriend's culture. For example, Danish women are more independent. "I have observed that women make many decisions in their families, which is opposite to my culture. But I can see that is not necessarily bad," Robert admits.

His girlfriend has one daughter from her ex-relationship, but Robert does not need to interfere in her upbringing.

"My girlfriend plays the most significant role in raising her daughter. I am assisting and advising if required. We took it with small steps and built our relationship in time with my girlfriend's daughter."

DANISH HABITS Like a couple from different backgrounds, they adapt to each other and sometimes make compromises. Robert has learned to take care of his health and to be more active, and she has learned to be more adventurous, embrace change, and improvise.

However, two things significantly changed Robert's previous lifestyle. "I think food is one of them. She tends to

eat much healthier, and I neglected this aspect of my life a bit. And then economic resource management. I tend to spend a lot, maybe because I am spending on things I wanted and couldn't afford while I was home in Romania.

Now it is different," Robert confesses.

When I asked him about his initial feelings after moving to Denmark, he readily responded: "The lack of curtains was my first cultural shock, and then I discovered that daycare kids were sleeping in the stroller outside. That came to surprise me as well. Dirty shoes on a girl's feet was a "no go" for me. Another shock was when I invited Danish colleagues to my birthday party, and by the end of the party, they took home the drinks they had brought."

RESERVED DANES Rebecca is a specialist in learning and development, and she is from Manila in the Philippines. She met her spouse, Jens, through a mutual friend, and in August 2019, they moved to Denmark. "First, what surprised me in Denmark was the unpredictable weather," Rebecca begins her story.

"And then how reserved Danes are. I grew up in an environment where people are more friendly and welcoming.

In Denmark, people are polite and trustworthy but generally more reserved. It takes more time to make friends with them."

NATÁLIA ŠEPITKOVÁ - FREELANCE JOURNALIST AND WRITER Natalia is a Slovak journalist based in Aalborg, Denmark. She has around 15 years of experience in journalism. Her experiences as an editor and a reporter were founded in Slovak magazines and newspapers. She was also working as a TV reporter, a TV moderator and a host in radio broadcasting. Part of her career included working with PR and marketing. Natália is also a content creator on her social media. Follow her blog www.mamavdansku.com, where she writes about life in Denmark. @Natália Šepitková

@Mama v Dánsku

@Mum in Denmark

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NORDIC COUNCIL 101 PHOTOGRAPHS PEXELS

TEXT HEATHER STORGAARD

H

HAVE YOU EVER visited one of the other Nordic countries and felt very at home there? Or maybe you noticed similarities to Denmark that you had initially thought were unique to your new home? The Nordic countries of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Greenland, Faroe and Åland all have a shared history of cultural, linguistic, and geographical links going back centuries that continue in various forms to the present day. Many commuters cross from Malmø to Copenhagen for work daily, but did you know that until the 18th century, the Ørsund was only a physical border, not a national one? Skåne became a part of Sweden just over 300 years ago. In Iceland, Danish has long been a common second language, reaching back to when the island was a part of the Kingdom of Denmark and maintained today by Danish state-funded teachers in Icelandic schools. Such tangled stories are typical of the region.

"As a citizen of one of the Nordic nations, you have a right to live, study and work in any other member state."

THE NORDIC COUNCIL FOUNDING The Nordic Council was founded in the early 1950s, at a time when the region, now known for peace and stability, was reeling from varied experiences during the Second World War: Finland had been invaded by the Soviet Union, Denmark and Norway occupied by the Nazis and Iceland and the Faroe Islands occupied by British and US forces. Long-running ties were increasingly loosened as territories gained independence or increased self-governance from the former great powers, Denmark and Sweden. With the threat of the Soviet Union sitting just across the Baltic Sea from Stockholm, Helsinki and Copenhagen, the new Nordic Council brought the region together to look at shared solutions and partnerships in areas such as security and culture.

This has become a subtle but essential part of life in Nordic states. For example, while living in Denmark, regardless of your citizenship status, it may be possible to participate in Nordic Council projects focusing on areas such as the environment, culture or performance.

HEATHER STORGAARD WRITER the region. The Nordic Council offers initiatives to learn or engage with other Nordic languages at literature or theatre events throughout the region, often through cultural centres in Iceland, Faroe, Åland and Greenland.

Of course, the Nordic nations also have links far beyond one another. A recent Nordic Council-funded project for young journalists focused on Canada, while long-term bilateral projects. Longterm projects are also carried out with the Baltic States, which share the sea, after which they are named with Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Åland.

WHAT DOES IT DO? As a citizen of one of the Nordic nations, you have a right to live, study and work in any other member state. This reflects the many historical links between the region's countries and ensures that moving around is easy. Key issues such as security, the green economy and more are often worked on at a Nordic-wide level to ensure they are most effective.

One of the principles underpinning a sense of pan-Nordic identity is language, with everyone in the Nordic region speaking a Scandinavian language or learning one in school, as is the case with Danish in Greenland, Faroe and Iceland or Swedish in Finland. However, English is increasingly used as a lingua franca in

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WHAT CAN YOU DO? Suppose you want to learn more about Denmark and Northern Europe. In that case, it is very easy to visit neighbouring countries and experience the similarities and differences that make the region so unique. If you're in Reykjavik, see how much of the local language you can understand from Danish (sometimes nothing, sometimes whole sentences!) at the beautiful Nordic House, where there is also one of the city's finest restaurants. Funding can also be applied to create projects, such as cultural exchanges within and beyond the region, or to work on Nordic cooperation on various themes, such as LGBT+ rights. THE-INTL

Heather Storgaard comes from Northern Scotland, grew up in Switzerland, and lived in England and Germany. She met her Danish and soon-tobe British husband back in 2017, and they now split their time between Central Scotland and Helgenæs, a peninsula in rural Eastern Jutland.

Suitably for a Scot, Heather works with whisky, spending her time writing and translating, with a particular softspot for the up-and-coming world of Nordic Whisky. @heatherstorgaard

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FOOD ART

CRANBERRY AND WHITE CHOCOLATE COOKIES WHIP UP A BATCH OF THESE EASY FESTIVE COOKIES, PERFECT FOR SHARING OR GIFTING OVER THE CHRISTMAS SEASON. PHOTOGRAPHS & TEXT: NATASHA LIVIERO

CRANBERRY AND WHITE CHOCOLATE COOKIES MAKES 33 COOKIES

INGREDIENTS: 115g unsalted butter, room temperature 100g brown/Demerara sugar 80g white granulated sugar 10g vanilla extract 1 XL egg 220g flour 6g baking soda Pinch of salt 100g pecans, roughly chopped 150g dried cranberries 100g white chocolate, roughly chopped Zest of 1 orange

NOTES: ADD WARM SPICES LIKE MIXED SPICE, NUTMEG OR CINNAMON TO THE COOKIE DOUGH FOR EXTRA FESTIVE FLAVOUR.

METHOD: 1. Set oven to 1800C. 2. Cream the butter, sugars and vanilla with a paddle attachment until light and creamy, about 5 minutes.

3. Add the egg and beat until well combined.

4. Sieve the flour, baking soda and salt. Add to the sugar mixture and beat on low speed until just combined.

5. Add the pecans, cranberries, white chocolate and zest. Beat on low speed until just combined.

6. Refrigerate for 1 hour.

7. With a dessert spoon, weigh 28g portions of the cookie dough. Roll into balls and place onto baking trays.

8. Press each ball with the palm of your hand to flatten it slightly. Allow 5cm spaces between each cookie for spreading during baking.

9. Bake for 12 minutes, until lightly coloured.

10. Remove baking trays from the oven and allow cookies to cool for 5 minutes.

11. Place cookies onto a cooling rack with a palette knife to finish cooling.

12. Once cooled, decorate with melted white chocolate and chopped cranberries (optional).

13. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

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

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A EUROPEAN CHRISTMAS

IN DENMARK

PHOTOGRAPHS TIVOLI / VISITAARHUS / VISITNORDVESTKYSTEN

TEXT DOMINIC J STEVENSEN

C

CHRISTMAS 2022. Our wonderfully cobbled-together European Christmas was the first we spent here in the South of Denmark, with its treasure trove of inspiration, unique Scandinavian magic, and naughty little elves. It incorporated elements from my wife’s childhood in Poland and mine in England, remnants of this cold but cheery time of year from our near decade past in Germany, and now informed by the globally known hygge of Denmark that fits so well into our general lifestyle.

We cracked open the first six-pack of Mr Kipling’s Mince Pies from England on the 23rd of December, unable to wait any longer for the festivities to start as we had all been a week at home together, akin to another lockdown, owing to further illness.

Danish festive delicacies we embraced this Christmas were the risalamande with kirsebaer sauce, the aebleskiver, flaeskesteg, and a wonderful little Christmas Ale that sold out all too quickly and logically once we had discovered how delicious it was. We would have to wait for next Christmas to stock up on that festive delight.

We dined after dark on Christmas Eve – as is the Polish tradition – and on Christmas Day in the early afternoon as my family and I always did in England.

The main festivities included Christmas crackers, mince pies and Christmas pudding from my homeland, Polish barszcz soup, the duck we feasted on for Christmas Day dinner (a tradition we had started during our time in Germany) with all the trimmings – stuffing and Brussel sprouts as we always had in England, a mashed parsnip puree, and the quintessential potatoes done in several different ways.

We added the nissehue desserts from a nearby bakery to the mix only to later find out they included alcohol and, therefore, could only be consumed by the adults in the equation. It was not easy to get that message over to our salivating three-yearold, who merely saw cute, edible elf hats.

DOMINIC J STEVENSON WRITER / MUSICIAN / ARTIST D om i n ic J Steve n s on i s a 3-time published author and the creator of the Literary "OUR WONDERFULLY COBBLED-TOGETHER EUROPEAN CHRISTMAS WAS THE FIRST WE SPENT HERE IN THE SOUTH OF DENMARK, WITH ITS TREASURE TROVE OF INSPIRATION, UNIQUE SCANDINAVIAN MAGIC, AND NAUGHTY LITTLE ELVES." Daddy wore a Santa hat and his merry jumper and socks, the children had their own Christmas outfits, and everyone was loaded with Danish cheer in our new home, a stone’s throw away from the sea.

Contemplating language, each country I resided in had a unique and rich version of ‘Merry Christmas.’ In Spain, it was Feliz Navidad - in Hungary Boldog Karácsonyt, Poland Wesołych Świąt, Germany Frohe Weihnachten, and here in Denmark, it was Glaedelig Jul. The Danish version somehow felt closest to the English, while all the others were from other planets linguistically. ‘Glad Yuletide Greetings’ echoed the Danish sentiment, as well as serving to remind me that, yes, of all the countries I had resided in, Denmark, so far, did seem to have the most in common with England – both weather-wise as well as the Danish people and lifestyle. Here, however, there was an extreme affinity for all that was cosy, and it was this, as well as its lovable language, living by the sea, and the sense of community we were now a part of, that had

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provided us with a foundation to build a life on. It was becoming like home. Creating such a feeling is no small thing, even a considerable accomplishment when living abroad.

Before the main Christmas window had opened, we had been invited to the house of an elderly Danish lady, a neighbour, who had given my children wonderful little fun snow shakers, their first ones, and biscuits and chocolates of the season as we had sat in a wonderfully dimly lit home, drinking, nibbling, and getting by on her broken English and our Danish efforts of similar proportions. It was quaint, extremely hygge, and one of the highlights of our merry period together.

With Christmas being such a special time this year and all the problems we had had to overcome thus far since our move to Denmark, it felt like we had arrived now.

October 2023. Looking back, just contemplating that first Christmas in Denmark, and hopefully the many more to come, has me brimming with a sense of dark fun magic. THE-INTL

Portrait / Visual Artwork project. He comes from Nottingham, England (Robin Hood land) and is a husband and father. He is a writer, musician, and artist. His writing has been published on many platforms - both online and in magazine format. He has lived in Denmark since 2022, in several European countries before that, and has recorded one album as Vincent Bella (The Dark Side Pulling At Us) and speaks fluent Spanish. He is enjoying learning Danish, albeit rather slowly.

He loves the arts (music, film/ TV, literature, impressionism and more), tennis, football (Nottingham Forest FC), travel, languages, laughter, and Lego.

Dominic J Stevenson

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THE GIFTS OF CHRISTMAS TIME PHOTOGRAPHS PEXELS

TEXT MONIKA PEDERSEN

D

DECEMBER BRINGS A wave of excitement, especially for children, as it marks the countdown to the festive season and all the wonders it brings. Along the way, there are traditions and events to maintain the momentum, which always remain special.

"In the older years, activity leaders or teachers set aside time at school so classes can bake cookies together."

ADVENT CALENDARS Both at school and at home, advent calendars are kept. The chance to open a door each morning brings incredible excitement. A way to do this in a primary classroom is to transform a noticeboard with a series of doors the children have drawn and coloured. Behind each door lies a practical special treat such as a chance to have extended recess time or watch their favourite educational programme.

6 DECEMBER It is not a tradition known everywhere, but in many international schools, Saint Nicholas, a saint who was known for his generosity and kindness, especially towards children, is celebrated. On the eve of 5 December, children put out their shoes. As per the tradition, at home or school, on the morning of 6 December, children discover their shoes full of sweets and candies!

MONIKA PEDERSEN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATOR

SANTA LUCIA 13 December celebrates Santa Lucia Day in Denmark and many other countries, especially Sweden. It is a Christian tradition that celebrates a third-century female martyr who was killed for her efforts to bring food to those being persecuted. Lucia wore a crown of lights on her head, like a torch, also regarded as a festival of light to help people through the long winter days.

At school, selected students dress in white for the Lucia parade.

The school corridors are flanked by the classes while the selected group of students, often from Scandinavian countries, slowly walk in parade-like style, carrying candles and singing the traditional, lovely and haunting song of ‘Santa Lucia’.

MAKING DECORATIONS The festive season brings people together; a particular tradition is making decorations together. At school, this is often a late afternoon activity, so parents and their children can make a candle wreath together whilst enjoying the company of each other and their teachers.

BAKING COOKIES In the older years, activity leaders or teachers set aside time at school so classes can bake cookies together. Danes adore marzipan, nougat, and chocolate, so these enticing flavours influence the beautifully decorated cookies! It is also a time of sharing, and very often, the cookies made at home are wrapped and given as presents to friends and teachers.

ADVENT CANDLES Celebrating the four weekends before Christmas Eve is very special. Much time and artistic flair are invested in making an advent wreath with four candles. The first candle is lit on the first Sun-

Monika comes from the London area of the UK, where she worked in the state system and the international school system, as an English teacher of 11-18 students and then a high school principal. She day, and it represents ‘Hope’. On the second Sunday, the first and the second candles are lit. The second signifies ‘Love’. The third Sunday’s candle is synonymous with ‘Joy’, and the fourth is ‘Peace’.

Quite amazingly, a daily advent candle is permitted at school, so each day, at the teacher’s desk, the candle is lit, and the students gaze on in wonder and flag up the time to extinguish it, ready for the coming day.

And, of course, the tradition of a Christmas tree or several is upheld, along with Christmas carol evenings accompanied by sweet red wine, Gløgg’ as it is known and ginger or cinnamon biscuits, known as ‘pebernødder’ or ‘brune kager’.

has also worked in leadership

MAGICAL

and enjoys the city and sum-

The traditions remain the same and are repeated year after year, but their magic and wonder never cease to kindle a spirit of warmth and love, which one hopes can enrich our world a little.

THE-INTL

mer house life with her Dan-

roles in Germany and in Denmark. She has an overview of the British, International, American, and the Danish system. She has many years of experience and continues to enjoy the profession. She has relocated to Copenhagen

ish husband. @monikapedersen

Sources: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Saint-Nicholas-Day https://www.stnicholascenter.org/who-is-st-nicholas

@monikapedersen @monikapedersen

https://careerdenmark.dk/danish-christmas-traditions/

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A ZERO-WASTE CHRISTMAS ECOLOGY IS NO LONGER A FAD. THANK GOD, MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE PAYING ATTENTION TO GREEN TOPICS, AND ESPECIALLY HERE IN DENMARK, IT IS NATURAL TO THINK ABOUT NATURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT. LET'S HAVE A DANISH ZERO-WASTE CHRISTMAS.

PHOTOGRAPHS PEXELS

TEXT NATÁLIA ŠEPITKOVÁ

T

THE MOST IMPORTANT thing is preparation. You shouldn't rely on last-minute plans if you want a zero-waste Christmas.

So be ready and make a Christmas to-do list a long time before. I wrote down some tips that you might find helpful.

ECO-CLEANING Clean your house before Christmas in the eco-style. Reach for vinegar, baking soda and lemon. Probably, each of you has these simple products in your kitchen, so you don't need to buy anything new. Use as cleaning tools fabric tissues cut from old clothes and old toothbrushes. You will have cleaned with no budget and zero waste. The best cleaning assistant is also a vacuum cleaner, which can remove dust from your floor and furniture, sofa, walls, ceilings, and many other surfaces. If you want your house fresh, make your homemade fragrant universal cleaner. Mix vinegar and water in a ratio of 3 to 1, and add a few drops of your favourite essential oil.

Let citrus peels, lavender, cinnamon or vanilla soak in vinegar for a few days for a more eco-friendly version. Which combination of scents you choose is up to you.

ZERO WASTE IN YOUR KITCHEN Do you know it? Christmas time will pass quickly, and you will realise that you must throw away the amount of prepared food anyway. The rule for being in a zero-waste kitchen is to cook and bake only as much as is eaten, even for Christmas. Try to use unpackaged local products as much as possible, focusing more on bio-quality than cheap quantity. Remember that simple dishes with few ingredients always bring out the best taste. The good idea is to make a Christmas menu with recipes and buy only the exact ingredients. After all, Christmas is not only about food and drink but about gatherings and the presence of loved ones.

CHRISTMAS TREE IN THE POT Are you also annoyed by the number of discarded Christmas trees everywhere af-

NATÁLIA ŠEPITKOVÁ FREELANCE JOURNALIST AND WRITER Natalia is a Slovak journalist based in Aalborg, Denmark. ter Christmas? I perfectly understand if a reusable plastic Christmas tree is nothing for you. Beyond everything, Denmark is one of Europe's leading producers of Christmas trees and greenery, with an annual production of 11 million trees, according to the Danish Christmas Tree Association. But for your zero-waste Christmas, there are two solutions: a Christmas tree in the pot or a rented one. A living, potted Christmas tree is the most sustainable option. You can nurture them outside when out of season and bring them in for winter, year after year. Just make sure the tree is adapted to your local climate. You can buy it everywhere, in flower shops, garden centres or supermarkets. I recommend buying it from a nearby tree nursery to support a local business. Renting a potted Christmas tree is the right choice for everyone who wants to enjoy a Christmas tree only during Christmas. The service includes bringing the tree to your home before Christmas and taking it away after Christmas. Rented Christmas trees will be planted out in the wild Danish nature again. Good deal, right?

ECO-FRIENDLY GIFTS In general, Danes prefer simple and modest Christmas gifts. It is expected to find a pair of socks or a book under a Christmas

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tree in Danish families. So, be like Danes and bring more hygge to your Christmas instead of material stuff. When choosing gifts, consider whether the recipient will be happy with the present and whether he needs it. Then, focus on quality. Small things made of natural and ecological materials are a good choice. Still don't have a clue? Here are a few tips for zero-waste gifts: an e-book or an audiobook, an online course, an experience (concert or event tickets, a voucher for a gourmet restaurant, etc.), homemade herbal tea, jam or cookies, your time (for example for babysitting or cleaning house). Don't forget about the eco-friendly packing. An old piece of paper or used boxes with creative Christmas decorations can be helpful. If you are skilled in handcrafts, you can easily make fabric Christmas bags from old clothes. What about, for example, old Christmas pyjamas, which are not cool anymore, and they only take up space in the closet?

Dear readers, Have a wonderful and hygge Christmas time! The most important thing is to have people around us instead of having a perfect Christmas design, a multi-course dinner, or plenty of expensive gifts. I wish you to experience the true essence of Christmas. THE-INTL

She has around 15 years of experience in journalism. Her experiences as an editor and a reporter were founded in Slovak magazines and newspapers. She was also working as a TV reporter, a TV moderator and a host in radio broadcasting. Part of her career included working with PR and marketing. Natália is also a content creator on her social media.

Follow her blog www.mamavda ns k u . com , whe re s he writes about life in Denmark. @Natália Šepitková @Mama v Dánsku @Mum in Denmark

"IT IS EXPECTED TO FIND A PAIR OF SOCKS OR A BOOK UNDER A CHRISTMAS TREE IN DANISH FAMILIES. SO, BE LIKE DANES AND BRING MORE HYGGE TO YOUR CHRISTMAS INSTEAD OF MATERIAL STUFF."

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