The International - February 2022

international

the

ISSN 2596-5220

CHOCOLATE PASTRY HEAVEN

FOR THE LOVE OF A DANE

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS

LOVE IN DENMARK

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GRANDE DAME VIVIENNE MCKEE

OF LONDON TOAST THEATRE SHARES HER DANISH JOURNEY.

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LOVE COMES IN MANY DIFFERENT PACKAGES… AS VALENTINE'S DAY APPROACHES, THINK ABOUT HOW YOU USE THE WORD "LOVE" IN YOUR LIFE. YOU LOVE YOUR PARTNER, YOUR CHILDREN, FRIENDS, AND SIBLINGS IN DIFFERENT WAYS. WHAT IS THE MEANING BEHIND THESE AFFECTIONS, AND WHY DO OUR LOVED ONES MAKE US CRAZY (IN GOOD AND BAD WAYS).

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 Karen Steyn - www.stainedmedia.co.za

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

COVER PICTURE Laura Voinescu Copenhagen Photo Experience

SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM SoMe Coordinator Alberte Borggreen - alberte@the-intl.com

L

LOVE. IT'S A word that some of us use a lot. "I love that colour you're wearing." "I LOVE pizza." "I love you more than anything else" to our young grandchildren. Yet, some of us never feel comfortable using the word out loud at all.

As we approach Valentine's Day, we should think a bit of the different kinds of love. Some are good for you and great for your health, and some have the opposite effect.

The Greeks recognise four types of love, and there is a Greek word for all of them.

EROS: EROTIC, PASSIONATE LOVE Eros is erotic or sexual, or passionate love. It's often all about need, and it's more about the person who's feeling sexually attractive than it is about the person who is the focus of that love or thing that is the focus of that love.

It is addictive, can cause great joy and sorrow, and is not always healthy.

PHILIA: LOVE OF FRIENDS AND EQUALS It can be the love between lovers when they've been together for a long time, and the fire is not burning as bright.

It's also called brotherly or sisterly love, and it is the accepting love of good friendship. This is the love that is good for your health. People in loving relationships have fewer doctor visits, shorter hospital stays, less pain, and more positive emotions. These positive consequences of philia love and loving friendships make us more resilient when hard times arrive.

SoMe Ambassadors "THE BEST LOVE IS THE KIND THAT AWAKENS THE SOUL; THAT MAKES US REACH FOR MORE, THAT PLANTS THE FIRE IN OUR HEARTS AND BRINGS PEACE TO OUR MINDS. THAT’S WHAT I HOPE TO GIVE YOU FOREVER." - NOAH FROM THE NOTEBOOK your child drawing on your white new walls – we forgive them unconditionally. Although, in many ways, it's probably a genetically programmed and hard wired love compared to the affectionate love, philia.

AGAPE: LOVE FOR YOUR FELLOW MAN OR WOMAN This love is modelled on belief and faith in God. It's the love given but not necessarily returned – it's love without any self-benefit. The Buddhist tradition is the central foundation of loving-kindness for all mankind. This kind of love is essential in the process of forgiveness. Forgiveness is vital to your health because the inability to forgive is associated with built-up, unreleased anger, which can negatively affect your health.

Whatever shape or form of love you decide to celebrate this Valentine's Day, we hope you enjoy it to your fullest!

Happy Valentine's Day from all of us to you!

STORGE: PARENTAL LOVE FOR A CHILD

Love,

This is parents' love for their children - it is described as the most natural of loves. This love is never-ending, and no matter how tired you are from sleepless nights or find

LYNDSAY JENSEN - EDITOR & FOUNDER

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THE-INTL.COM

Neelam Gahlaut; Michaela Medvedova; Aina Masood; Katie Noyed; Amelie Taralle; Ane-Sophie Custura; Terumi Mascarenhas; Manon Coolen; Leslie Noygues; Shelly Pandey; Laura Luzinska; Shivangi Singh; Ritika Jain; Pavlos Tsiakoumis; Sakib Akhter; Rashmi Jadhav; Gemma La Rocca; Michaela Halová; Isabel Pereira Lima

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

SALES sales@the-intl.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS For corporate delivery of the printed edition please contact: lyndsay@the-intl.com The International is published 12 times a year.

This issue was published on 4 February, 2022.

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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THE FEEL-GOOD STORIES OF DENMARK SPREADING JOY IN A RED-NOSED CAR

The red nose often adorns the face of Kirsten Licia Lærke Olsen, and when it does, she becomes Omsorgsklovnen Kikka (The Care Clown Kikka). A pedagogue since 1987, Kirsten has always been fascinated by the hospital clowns.

She took a continuing education as a caring clown in 2015 but wanted to spread joy in places other than hospitals.

"I decided to be a caring clown who drives around in my little red car with a red nose in the front - so you're sure that a clown is coming." She visits children and adults with mental and physical disabilities, the elderly, people with dementia, or small children to spread

KATHARINE H NOYED

MICHAELA MEDVEĎOVÁ

PIC COUTESY OF ÅDALSKOLEN, RINGSTED

We may think of hospitals as clinical, cold places. But, since the 1970s, the red of a clown's nose has become a welcome pop of colour.

DENMARK’S HEART RUNNERS

joy and happiness. She meets them in their homes, schools, institutions, nursing homes, and daycare.

“I meet people with empathy and respect and try to show them they are loved as they are.”

Kirsten needs to prepare for every visit as there is a difference between interacting with able-bodied children

On August 2, 2021, my husband’s g r a n d f a t h e r s u ffered cardiac arrest in his home in Lejre, Denmark.

His grandmo ther called 112, and an ambulance was sent to the scene. However, given the distance of their home from the nearest hospital, hjerteløbere (heart runners) were called to step in. Three heart runners came to the scene in an effort to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) while the ambulance was on its way.

Due to this, I hope to raise awareness about the heart runner programme in the hopes to save lives and honour my husband's dearly loved and missed grandfather.

and adults and children with disabilities. "I have to be ready to catch the moment. In some nursing homes, the residents want to be entertained while sitting and drinking coffee. So I use music while interacting with them. They love to have physical contact with me, so we hold hands. Sometimes, I even dance with them while sitting or standing." But when visiting elders, she also inevitably experiences death. While it's sorrowful, Kirsten is ultimately happy to have met them and enjoyed their company.

Some of those she visits can't remember her name - or their own, or who their families are. "But there is something about the expression of the clown that they know. Even without talking, I can read people's signals."

Yet Kikka's visits can also develop into a unique and special relationship, just like her relationship with a woman who has a physical disability and suffers from dementia. Kirsten has been visiting her for six years. THE-INTL

WHAT IS THE HJERTELØBER PROGRAMME?

NIKOLAOS PAPADOPOULOS

A MOTHER'S LOVE… Meet Monica Lylloff: mother of 3, lawyer, and founder of the movement "En Million Stemmer", a movement dedicated to promoting the rights and welfare of people with forms of physical and mental disabilities.

"14 years ago we were an ordinary family: a mother, a father and a twoyear-old boy, living in an ordinary house and having ordinary jobs", Monica tells us, "we knew nothing about disabilities, and we were expecting twins". Fate, however, decided to turn their lives upside down as their twin girls were born premature and nearly died. In addition, all 3 of her children (now in their teens) were diagnosed with conditions such as cerebral palsy and autism. These are all conditions that can prove dangerous to their future well-being.

Living in a "welfare state" based on high taxation, one would expect help from the authorities, especially on health matters. However, it appears that when you need help the most, the

PIC COUTESY OF DITTE VALENTE

Monica Lylloff's mission is to break boundaries on disability for her children and others.

authorities are nowhere to be found.

Monica recounts her fight for her children's fundamental rights: "what concerns me the most is that most of the decisions are arbitrary". There is no solid framework upon which to base decisions, and they differ from area to area, caseworker to caseworker, and family to family; this means that even identical cases receive very different treatment.

Seeing the difficulties her family faced in getting proper help from the state, she knew she was not the only one, so in 2019 she decided to found the movement "En Million Stemmer", initially as a Facebook page, trying to give a voice to the approximately one million people, roughly 20% of the population, living in Denmark with some

NIKOLAOS PAPADOPOULOS is originally from Greece, but has been living in Esbjerg for a few years. With a Bachelor's degree in Economics and a Master's degree in Marketing from the University of Southern Denmark, he has always had a passion for creative writing.

form of disability.

Nowadays, the movement numbers 33 800 members, all volunteers, working tirelessly and selflessly on behalf of their loved ones. They managed to initiate a discussion around the system's current state with their citizen proposal "handicapområdet skal væk fra kommunerne", and they provide concrete solutions to existing problems in their "Løsningskatalog". "The most immediate thing that needs to be done", Monica says, "is that the authorities actually listen to the people concerned, and they follow the law". Until then, she knows it is an uphill battle many will have to fight, and she will be there to support them, both Danes and internationals. THE-INTL

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

In October of 2017, TrygFonden’s heart runner programme was first launched in the capital region with the mission of making Denmark a safer place to live.

By 2020, this programme spanned across the entire country, with the latest data showing that more than 117,325 people are registered as heart runners. It is said that the chance of survival increases from less than 10% to over 70% when a person undergoing cardiac arrest receives CPR and a shock from an automated external defibrillator (AED) before the ambulance arrives, so heart runners perform a vital part of the Danish medical emergency response.

When someone calls 112, the emergency operator first deems whether or not the medical emergency would benefit from heart runners being notified. Then, if deemed necessary, up to twenty registered heart runners within a 5000-meter radius of the medical emergency will be notified on the app: TrygFonden Hjerteløber. Those notified will have the choice to either decline or accept the alarm. Those who accept will either be directed to the nearest automated external defibrillator (AED), whereas others will be directed to the emergency site to either perform CPR or support the family.

WHERE CAN I SIGN UP? Although anyone can save a life, you must be eighteen or older to become a heart runner. To learn more, go to https://hjertestarter.dk/english/you-can-save-lives or register on the TrygFonden Hjerteløber app. Becoming a heart runner is a way to support your community, or in the case of my husband, to honour a loved one.

So consider becoming a heart runner today. THE-INTL

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

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FEBRUARY EVENTS IN

COPENHAGEN

COPENHAGEN

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ZEALAND

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DENMARK 6 FEBRUARY

8 & 15 FEBRUARY

WINTER JAZZ SERVICE

INTERNATIONAL MOVIE NIGHT

VISIT DENMARK - VIKINGPÆL BO HERBST

Escape the winter chill with this special church service in English, featuring heart-warming and soul-lifting jazz from the outstanding musicians of the Olivier Antunes trio. The service is part of Copenhagen Vinterjazz festival and is hosted by Folkekirken for Internationals, an inclusive community for expats, exchange students and internationals in the Copenhagen area. Everyone is welcome and after the service there will be the chance to socialise over tea, coffee and bubbles!

FUNEN

Join us for a cosy evening in good company and enjoy a unique film screening in the crypt of Eliaskirken.

We take care of the coffee, snacks, and critically-acclaimed film selection – projected onto our large screen with high quality English audio and Danish subtitles.

All you need to do is come along.

The film will be introduced by William Salicath, pastor for Services in English at Eliaskirken.

WHERE: ELIASKIRKEN, VESTERBROGADE 49, COPENHAGEN TIME: 13:00 FOR MORE INFO: KOBENHAVNSSTIFT.DK/ENGLISH

VISIT DENMARK - G0168178 1 (TRUKKET)

WHERE: ELIASKIRKEN, VESTERBROGADE 49, COPENHAGEN TIME: 18:00 - 20:00 FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://FOLKEKIRKEN-VESTERBRO.DK/ EVENT/11529683

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ANJA BLAKSMARK

VISIT DENMARK - VARNÆS HOVED - CLAUS VISBY

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JUTLAND

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VESTERBRO GOSPEL CHOIR

COPENHAGEN

10 FEBRUARY LIVE GOSPEL MUSIC IN VESTERBRO There’s no better way to beat the winter blues than with live music! @Folkekirkenforinternationals invites you to come along to @Eliaskirken this Thursday evening for an uplifting gospel service in English. The dynamic musicians of Vesterbro Gospel Choir and band are guaranteed to raise the roof with their inspiring performance – and everyone gets the chance to sing along too! After the service, there will be refreshments and time to chat with other internationals and locals in the Folkekirken for Internationals community.

WHERE: ELIASKIRKEN, VESTERBROGADE 49, COPENHAGEN TIME: 19:30 FOR MORE INFO: KOBENHAVNSSTIFT.DK/ENGLISH

A focus on learning

COPENHAGEN

LITTLE PINK MAKER FB PAGE

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

11 FEBRUARY COMMUNITY BREAKFAST & CO-WORKING Start your morning with a healthy organic breakfast, get inspired by Danish design, rapid prototyping, makerspace culture and getting to know other creative people, then work side by side with other makers on your project.

A morning well spent is the aim of our game - so we'd like to invite you to the Little Pink Maker community breakfast and co-working day. A free community event for connecting, tinkering, working and community.

Our events are for everyone but especially creatives, who're looking for inspiration and connection in their business life. You'll be able to enjoy a delicious breakfast assortment, sip on your favourite morning beverages and engage with other creatives from all different sectors. Whilst being able to get comfortable and co-work with us the whole day!

www.nis-ngg.dk Cirkelhuset, Christianshusvej 16 DK, 2970 Hørsholm

Small classes · Support and guidance from dedicated teachers · Sports College · Music Academy · An international learning environment

FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/13RB23GLV Cambridge International School

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COPENHAGEN

PICK

AARHUS

UP SPOT

!

COPENHAGEN

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SOCIAL BREW FB PAGE

GRAB A FREE PR COPY OF INTED THE PAPER AT SOCIAL BR EW

EVERY SUNDAY

13 FEBRUARY

13 FEBRUARY

ACOUSTIC SUNDAYS

SUPER BOWL LVI LIVE AT TIR NA NÓG

SINGLE BUT NOT READY TO MINGLE?

Join us for this years Super Bowl Event at Tir Na Nog Tickets only - secure your ticket now.

Super Bowl-Menu includes (Pr. Person): *3 Budweiser *2 Ribs *3 Wings *3 Onion Rings *½ Nachos *Fries w. dips *Popcorn *1 Slider (Mini Flux burger) Pr. person: 345,(If you're a group, please buy your tickets together - food will be served family style for each group.)

WHAT'S HAPPENING? Start livin' for you! Learn all about heartbreak and get practical tips to let go once and for all.

It's not me, it's you. Or is it? Ask our breakup coach all your burning questions. Whether it's about your ex or yourself, she's got you covered!

Brunch is always a good idea. Nothing beats bonding over some delicious food from our Living Kitchen restaurant.

Let's get fizzical! If you know us, you know we can't do without Mimosa's and this time is no exception.

Acoustic Sundays, hosted By Jimmy, who is a songwriter in the tradition of Bob Marley and John Lennon, where love, spiritual and political songs stand side by side as one.

Acoustic Sunday's is the platform that allows everyone to strengthen their human touch.

Service is, as usual, with a lunch and dinner menu, fantastic coffee from Honduras, beers and a variety of wines.

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SILENT EVENTS DK FB PAGE

19 FEBRUARY

COPENHAGEN

FOLKEKIRKEN FOR INTERNATIONAL

COPENHAGEN

MOVE AND GROW FB PAGE

COPENHAGEN

20 FEBRUARY

20 FEBRUARY

SILENT DISCO X COPENHAGEN EMPOWERED&EXPRESSED: SUNDAY LUNCH FOR POWER AND FLOW GROOVE INTERNATIONALS LIGHT FESTIVAL DANCE PARTY

DJ'S We have a great DJ line-up, consisting of Firefox, Miss World and Mother Mary. They want to make sure you have exactly what your dancing feet need to dance the night away.

And then we get a visit from the boys from Bonjour Papa who are guaranteed to heat up the dance floor on their channel! 🙌 VENUE 🚩 The event will take place outdoors, as part of the Copenhagen Light Festival's route.

Do you like to express yourself through dance, and you look for classes where you can balance masculine and feminine energies?

Then this GROOVE class is something you can't miss!

We will use the power of music to create polarity on the dancefloor and immerse in authentic body movement.

Prepare for meditative songs combined with energetical and juicy tracks to get the blood flowing!

What is GROOVE? It is a simple, creative, and fun interactive group dance experience. No previous dance background, no choreography to follow, no striving for perfection! You come as you are, dance your own unique way, and unite in one rhythm with others. When you practice Groove, you are not joining a standard dance class.

There is no need to be cool, dress up in fancy clothes, or fit in. The Groove community consists of people who welcome you with your authenticity and encourage each other to inspire creative self-expression. All we care about is MUSIC's power and help establish a human connection through liberating body movement. We carefully select the most exciting tracks from all kinds of genres, styles, and cultures so you can get inspired to leave your comfort zone and get lost in the music.

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

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If you love meeting up with other internationals and locals, check out the welcoming and inclusive community of Folkekirken for Internationals this Sunday. They are hosting a church service in English at 1pm, followed by the chance to get to know each other better over a delicious lunch buffet. It’s taking place at Eliaskirken in Vesterbro. Everyone is welcome for the service but you need to sign up to attend the Sunday Lunch afterwards. Visit the events calendar on the Folkekirken for Internationals website for the sign-up link: kobenhavnsstift.dk/english

UNSPLASH.COM

February is known for it's grey skies, short days and long nights. But in February, light and art are celebrated in the streets of Copenhagen, and we at Silent Events DK are very honoured to be part of Copenhagen Light Festival 2022. Come and move in a rolling sea of ​​music and awaken the light with dance.

Wearing headphones, you can freely choose between 3 different channels of music at the same time, and control the volume yourself.

Three Saturdays during the Copenhagen Light Festival, we will transform Havnegade by Nyhavn, into a living light installation.

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MARIBO

INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY LOLLAND-FALSTER

ODENSE

INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY ODENSE

INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY ODENSE

ODENSE

22 FEBRUARY

23 FEBRUARY

25 FEBRUARY

SPOUSE CAFÉ AT PAPAS PAPBAR

DINNER MEET-UP

INTERNATIONAL HAPPY HOUR

Haven’t been out for a long time?

Craving delicious food and great company?

Let’s go out together!

We will meet for dinner at Madklubben, a restaurant that opened in one of Odense’s most iconic premises in 2021.

Madklubben serves modern classics based on seasonal ingredients.

We will spend the evening chatting about life in Odense, what you did (or didn’t do) during lockdown, and what 2022 might bring! Everyone is invited, and you can come alone or bring a friend or colleague.

Please note: Food and drinks is at your own expense.

Read about the restaurant here: https://madklubben.dk/ en/restaurants/madklubben-odense/ Please note: Photos and videos may be recorded during the event for publicity and marketing purposes. If you prefer not to be photographed, please inform one of the team members from International Community Odense present at the event. The event is organized by International Staff Office, University of Southern Denmark and International Community Odense.

Join us for the first Spouse Café this year at Papas Papbar, play different board games and drink tea or coffee together in a cosy atmosphere. At the event there will a person who will explain the rules of the games.

The fee to access all the board games will be covered. Tea or coffee will be at your own expense.

We will meet at 13:00 at Papas Papbar, Skt. Knuds Kirkestræde 2A, 5000 Odense.

Sign up before February 20, midnight: https://forms.office. com/r/u1v5UB49ND Papas Papbar is a board game café where you can play and buy different board games, get hot and cold drinks, snacks and some food, and attend weekly board game events.

Spouse Café is an event series for accompanying partners to meet, network, and share experiences of living in Odense in an informal environment.

Please note: Photos and videos may be recorded during the event for publicity and marketing purposes. If you prefer not to be photographed, please inform one of the team members from International Community Odense present at the event.

INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY LOLLAND FALSTER is hosting a Happy Hour event! Everyone is invited, but we especially encourage newcomers on Lolland and Falster, Danes and internationals alike, to take this opportunity to join our network in an informal setting and start the weekend in good company.

Come by yourself, with your partner, or bring the whole family.

The International Community Lolland-Falster looks forward to seeing you there!

Learn more about the community here: https://www.facebook.com/internationalcommunitylf Join the community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/internationalcommunitylollandfalster

FOR MORE INF0: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/2MC99CZCE

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FOLKEKIRKEN FOR INTERNATIONALS The National Church in Denmark FOLKEKIRKEN FOR INTERNATIONALS The National Church in Denmark

Community and togetherness for internationals inAllCopenhagen and Community and togetherness for internationals in Copenhagen and beyond. are welcome.

Join us at Eliaskirken, in the heart of Vesterbro, for regular services and social events in Join us at Eliaskirken, in the heart of Vesterbro, for regular service English – including jazz and gospel services, movie nights and communal meals.

English – including jazz and gospel services, movie nights and com

Find out more at kobenhavnsstift.dk/english and follow us @FolkekirkenForInternationals FEBRUARY 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

Find out more at kobenhavnsstift.dk/english and follow us @Folke

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COPENHAGEN

COPENHAGEN LIGHT FESTIVAL

COUNTRYWIDE

VINTERJAZZ FB PAGE

AARHUS

26 FEBRUARY

3-27 FEBRUARY

4-27 FEBRUARY

TOUCH AND SIX NATIONS AT ARK

VINTERJAZZ

COPENHAGEN LIGHT FESTIVAL

Vinterjazz is a nationwide music festival that takes place in February each year. The festival spans three weeks featuring more than 600 concerts, 150 venues and independent organizers from all across Denmark – from Aalborg, Aarhus, Odense and Esbjerg to the historic jazz capital of Copenhagen. The combination of the festival’s length and the countrywide aspect makes Vinterjazz an opportunity to meet international stars on tour, new Danish awardwinning projects and curated concert themes.

Copenhagen Light Festival is an annual light festival that transforms the quiet and cold winter darkness into a unique celebration of light art, lighting design and illumination in the center of Copenhagen.

In three weeks of February the festival presents a wide range of light based works – such as sculpture, installation, projection mapping, event and illumination created by both established and upcoming light artists, lighting designers, students and organizations.

With a tailored light program selected by a curatorial committee, the festival exhibits, accentuates and interprets the city’s different spaces,squares, facades, bridges and hidden places in a new and engaging way.

The majority of the light works are placed along a path in the inner city and the harbor, while a selection of art works that can be experienced in areas located outside of the city center.

The Festival invites both international and local audiences of all ages to enjoy the city during the darkest and even the coldest time of the year.

A new year has come, and the rugby season - nationally and internationally - is moving closer. Come down to your favourite local rugby club and join in on the action, whether it's for the socials or for the fitness.

We'll start off by having a few games of touch followed by some lunch provided by the club.

After the touch tournament the Six Nations unfold: 15:15 - Scotland vs. France 17:45 - England vs. Wales See you at Aarhus Rugby Klub.

FOR MORE INFO: HTTP://WWW.JAZZ.DK/

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COPENHAGEN LIGHT FESTIVAL

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THE GRANDE DAME OF CABARET AND COMEDY

COPENHAGEN CAN'T CALL IT CHRISTMAS WITHOUT HER CRAZY CABARET JUST LIKE VIVIENNE MCKEE COULDN'T IMAGINE HER LIFE WITHOUT CREATING CONNECTIONS WITH HER THEATRE AUDIENCE.

PHOTOGRAPHS LAURA IOANA V

FORGET LEARNING HOW to pronounce rødgrød med fløde or driving your kids on a Christiania bike. The real benchmark of becoming at home in Denmark is seeing the Crazy Christmas Cabaret show in wintertime.

Without the production Vivienne McKee and her London Toast Theatre put on every year since 1982, it's simply not a good Christmas for many.

Just like without this British actress, the theatre world of Denmark wouldn't be as good, either.

NO NEED FOR BACKUP "I decided I wanted to be an actress, and my mother said I had to go to university first.

She was unequivocal: 'There's no money in acting, you need a backup'," says Vivienne. So while studying French and theatre studies, she acted in all the plays. Then, setting her sights on a high goal, she invited the principal of Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, one of the most-renowned drama schools in Britain, to her university play. "And he came. Normally, you have to audition to get into these schools. But he said that I've got a place."

Focusing on Shakespeare and the classical type of theatre, the school was an excellent launchpad for her career, giving her access to a lot of work. But Vivienne could also sing and dance, so she was successfully starring in theatre productions and cabaret shows, in TV series and feature films. "I could have stayed in England and continued the career.

But then one of the plays I was in took me on tour to Denmark - and I met a Dane."

COPENHAGEN FATE A hotel booking mishap led the play producers to search for their actors' accommodations elsewhere. "We all stayed with different teachers, and I stayed with a very nice family, but they lived miles away from Copenhagen." Then, the next day, one of the other actors said she stayed with a great guy who took her to all the clubs in Copenhagen."

FEBRUARY 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

TEXT MICHAELA MEDVEĎOVÁ

Needless to say, Vivienne was jealous - but luckily, the proclaimed great guy was invited to see the show, and she met him anyway.

The pair exchanged telephone numbers since the production was leaving Copenhagen the following day. "I never thought I would come back to Copenhagen, but by chance or fate, two months later, I did, with another cabaret show. And I called him up, telling him he could take me to the clubs now. He couldn't - he'd broken his leg in three places. But we still saw each other, kept in touch - and got married six months later." He offered to move to England, so that Vivienne could continue her successful career, but soon she was pregnant, so they decided to have their child in Denmark.

But no standing ovation awaited there. "I didn't know anybody, I didn't speak the language, I had no friends. I felt very isolated, and everything was new to me." She was alone in their apartment with a baby while her husband worked all day. All of her friends in England were asking - what are you doing? Come back!

There were some options to act in English in Copenhagen. One of Vivienne's contacts introduced her to an English theatre, but she simply longed to work on a higher standard with her background. "I told my husband: I need to go back to England and do my theatre work. He replied: Well, why don't we start a theatre company so you can do the standard you want?"

TOO ENGLISH FOR DANISH HYGGE So after having a baby in 1981, Vivienne and her husband founded London Toast Theatre in 1982. It came with warning signs from all around them, saying that Danes will never accept her crazy comedy kind of humour. It's too English.

But despite the differences, the theatre reached its Danish audience and got them involved. Producing shows from Shakespeare to cabaret, the theatre celebrates its 40th birthday this year. The company's staple is the Crazy Christmas Cabaret, a Christmas

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enne, doing comedy in English. "Once you've been on TV with only one channel which everybody in the country watches, you become very famous very quickly."

Despite featuring on Saturday night TV, her focus remained on her own theatre where she writes, directs the shows, produces them with her husband - and stars in them. "I'm the artistic director, and my husband is the administrative director. I say I want to do a Shakespeare production with ten actors, and he says that ten is too expensive and asks if I can do the show with six." The company started in a tiny theatre with about 70 seats, so Vivienne had to think small. When they progressed to Tivoli in 1990, suddenly, she could think big. "Now, we have a big show - we could take it to West End in London."

There are a lot of reasons why London Toast Theatre became a success. Danes and their fascination with English is one thing - without them speaking the language so well, Vivienne would have a tough time winning her audience over. The second main reason, though, is found within the theatre. "I married a man who is extraordinarily good at leaving the focus for the actors and being very supportive behind the scenes. I have no sense of business at all, but he has." The successful teamwork transcends the couple - they've had the same personal assistant for the past 38 years, handling PR, press, and other connections.

"The combination of the three of us has been able to sustain this unusual phenomenon that is London Toast Theatre. I would never have been able to keep going without that support behind me. We're like a little family."

Vivienne promotes the feeling of teamwork among her cast, working together, getting everyone involved. "Of course, they get a script. But if someone wants to change a line, we can do it if it fits. Normally, you can't do it if you buy a script written by Tennessee Williams or Harold Pinter."

Having worked with many of the actors for years, she knows where their strengths lie and can write for their talents and capabilities. Having the director and writer on the show is also efficient. "My Christmas show is very topical. When a news item comes up in the newspaper today, which I want to throw in, I can go to the theatre tonight and say we're going to say this line and get a laugh from the joke. No other theatre can do that because no other theatre has the writer in the show."

FEELING ALIVE WITH A LIVE AUDIENCE

VIVIENNE PROMOTES THE FEELING OF TEAMWORK AMONG HER CAST, WORKING TOGETHER, GETTING EVERYONE INVOLVED. tradition of many Danes, now performed in Tivoli's Glassalen, playing for 60 thousand people every year. But it did not start off with such a grandiose vision. "When we finished the first show in 1982, people were asking what we will do with the show next. I thought it was just one show, but people said - you've got to do it again!"

And they did - Vivienne has been writing the show for the past four decades. Each year is different: in terms of subject matter, feel, or historical period - from 18th century France to sunny, gangster Florida in the 80s. Al-

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ready now, Vivienne knows what the show will look like next year. Crazy Christmas has taken up permanent residence in her mind.

A TEAM ON THE SAME WAVELENGTH As the show has got more prominent over the years - both in terms of theatre space and fan base - Vivienne's fame in Denmark rose alongside it. In the 1980s, Denmark only had one TV channel. There was a two-hour live TV program with singers and comedians on Saturdays - and Vivi-

With so much responsibility, it's no wonder Vivienne needed to take a break a couple of years ago. She still wrote and directed the Christmas show, but she wasn't in it - instead, she went to India and did her solo Stand Up show in Calcutta on New Year's Eve! She returned before the show finished and found out that the audience was missing her recurrent role as Dr Van Helsingør from Elsinore, a crazy male character she plays every year who jokes about the Danes. "But then someone said - why don't you dress up as the character and do a spontaneous bit? So I did. I walked onstage with the beard and hat, and the effect was extraordinary - I felt a bit like a rockstar."

Despite appreciating TV and films, it's this connection that makes her feel alive. "I'm a performer. I enjoy the feeling of performing live to an audience, to feel the immediate response - mostly comedy, because when you say a funny line, you hear the laughter and know if it has worked."

With comedy films, there is none of that. Vivienne also finds TV and movies to be a director's medium. No matter how brilliantly an actor acts in a scene, the director might put the camera on someone else or cut the scene entirely. "But when you're on stage, the audience is looking at what they want. It's their choice, not the directors. It's so much more about feeling a connection with the audience."

The soul of a performer has always been there - already at six, Vivienne was putting on dresses and acting out minor roles. The all-girls school she attended held a drama competition. "I thought that if we win, it's a sign that I should be a professional actor. And we won." Around the same time, another fateful occurrence happened. Young Vivienne saw a production of Hamlet made at the Kron-

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VIVIENNE SIMPLY WANTS TO MAKE SHOWS THAT WILL MAKE PEOPLE SAY - I NEED TO GO TO THE THEATRE MORE OFTEN. borg Castle in the Danish city of Helsingør and was simply charmed. "I thought one day, I wanted to go there. And you know what? I played Hamlet's mother, Gertrude, three years ago at the Helsingør Castle. To me, that was a dream come true." However, the past two years have been a little more of a nightmare, sadly.

MOMENTS OF JOY IN THE THEATRE SEAT But the audience appreciated this year's show. It offered an escape and much-needed laughter, joy, and inspiration. That's what Vivienne, who prefers comedy above all, wants to bring her audience.

Vivienne simply wants to make shows that will make people say - I need to go to the theatre more often. "I want them to understand the feeling you get when you're sitting in the audience, looking at the stage, and you feel part of something for a few hours, which takes you away from all the problems of everyday life. A good laugh is the best medicine!" THE-INTL

PICTURE COURTESY OF THOMAS PETRI

"We completely cancelled last year's Christmas show.

It was terrible - I had a show ready to put on, and we just couldn't do it." COVID hit the entertainment industry hard, so when the company gathered in October to start rehearsals on this year's Crazy Christmas, they were giddy like little kids at Christmas - so excited to be creating something together. "Isolation was horrible. I learned to cook! I never cooked in my life - only fried egg or spaghetti. Suddenly, I was making big meals and had no one to give them to."

This season looked more promising. Everyone was vaccinated and careful. But before the opening performance with critics, VIPs, and Danish politicians set to attend, one of the actors got COVID, and they had to cancel the first week of the show.

When they started performing, the reviews were fantastic. But in the middle of December, the government announced they were to close all theatres; they just hadn't decided when. In an attempt to keep going, the show had to be re-written as actors dropped out, and a new actor was flown in from London. Finally, the axe fell on December 19th, and the theatre shut down. The company had sold thousands of tickets they had to refund.

PICTURE COURTESY OF THOMAS PETRI

CHRISTMAS WITHOUT A DOSE OF CRAZY

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FOR THE LOVE OF A DANE EARLIER THIS YEAR, I MARRIED MY DANISH HUSBAND. UNFORTUNATELY, BREXIT, COVID AND DANISH IMMIGRATION AGE RULES CAME TOGETHER AS A TOXIC COCKTAIL THAT IMPACTED OUR LOVE STORY.

PHOTOGRAPHS ISTOCK / HEATHER STORGAARD

TEXT HEATHER STORGAARD

T

THE 'AGE RULE' is a Danish immigration law that means both partners have to be older than 24 years to be eligible for a family reunification visa. The supposed focus of this rule is protecting child brides.

"None Danish friends are shocked when I mention Denmark's harsh laws."

COUNTRY STYLE WEDDING When we first talked about marriage, the idea was to get married at the Old Town Hall in Ebeltoft. We wished to get married with a Danish language ceremony, and it's where my parents-in-law tied the knot. In Germany, where we lived at the time, Denmark was seen as an idyllic wedding destination, with simpler marriage laws and lower costs. However, that was all to change shortly afterwards, with new marriage laws that pushed up costs and bureaucracy, especially for non-resident internationals.

One summer, I showed a visiting friend Ebeltoft's Town Hall. A man working there showed us a glass apple that the council gifts couples upon marriage. Suddenly, the man slammed the case and told us we would not receive apples because we were "aliens". Slightly shocked, I told him that my partner was a local Dane. At this point, I was bluntly informed of the 24-years rule, preventing me from accessing family reunification rights. Furthermore, without already living in the country, which I didn't have the right to due to the rules, I was told that the documentation I would have to submit to get married in Ebeltoft could take a long time to process, cost high none-refundable fees and was unlikely to be accepted.

NOT YOUR AVERAGE WEDDING Last winter, during the worst of the pandemic, my father-in-law was diagnosed with cancer. He was successfully operated on but was having chemotherapy and avoiding risky socialising until the summer. Unfortunately, vaccines are less effective for people with low immune responses, which means that even the long-awaited

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jabs didn't remove our worries.

We, however, had a wedding date in Scotland in the spring. We knew the guest list would be tiny, and until the week before, it was even doubtful if my Englandbased parents would be allowed to cross the border. There was absolutely no way we could risk my father-in-law on public transport, a flight and ten days of quarantine.

We got married with views of the Forth Bridge, a thistle and heather bouquet and my husband wearing a kilt. Unfortunately, I knocked over the cake, my husband got a parking ticket, and our Norwegian friend misspelt his own name on the witness register, but wouldn't life be dull without mishaps?

It did, however, feel wrong to be lacking the usually ever-present celebratory Dannebrog, our many Danish friends and Danish traditions. Of course, the biggest gap in our wedding was my father-in-law. He didn't get to see his only child get married thanks to Denmark's age-discriminatory immigration and marriage laws. My husband had no family at his wedding.

THE FUTURE OF MARRIAGE IN DENMARK Denmark is considered a progressive and aspirational country throughout the world. None Danish friends are shocked when I mention Denmark's harsh laws, and for the most part, our Danish friends are highly ignorant of them. We are often asked why we don't live in the country full time or, highly ironically, if we got married for visa purposes. Nowadays, I bluntly tell enquiring Danes "regeringen siger, jeg er barnebrud" (the government says I'm a child-bride).

In 2019 Lars Løkke Rasmussen, former prime minister of Denmark, explained in parliament that his son was caught up in the 24-years rule, meaning he couldn't live in Denmark. PM Mette Frederiksen answered simply: she was not going to change anything. It feels strange to question myself if I'm allowed to be in love with a Dane? It's an absurd sounding question and one I've been forced to grapple with during my journey in Denmark – let's hope this changes over time. THE-INTL

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

Languages and cultural studies are a big passion, leading Heather to pursue a degree in Culture and Heritage and a career in photography and translation. @heatherstorgaard

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FOOD ART

CHOCOLATE TART WITH SALTED CARAMEL DARK CHOCOLATE AND SALTED CARAMEL ARE A MATCH MADE IN PASTRY HEAVEN! PHOTOGRAPHS & TEXT: NATASHA LIVIERO / UNSPLASH

CHOCOLATE TART WITH SALTED CARAMEL

METHOD: #1

MAKES 12 X 7CM TARTS

SABLE THIS 'WELL BEHAVED' SABLE DOUGH BY PASTRY CHEF, ANTONIO BACHOUR, REQUIRES NO BLIND BAKING.

#3

INGREDIENTS: 398g flour 98g icing/confectioners sugar 45g almond flour pinch of salt 180g cold unsalted butter, cubed 70g eggs 1 egg white, beaten

#4

CHOCOLATE GANACHE INGREDIENTS:

METHOD: #1 #2

#3 #4

#5

#6

#7

Preheat oven to 165°C. Sift flour into a bowl and add sugar, almond flour, salt and butter. Beat with a paddle attachment until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.

Add eggs and mix until a ball is formed.

Divide the ball into two and roll each ball between two pieces of parchment paper until 2mm thick. Refrigerate for 20 minutes.

Butter tart rings and line with dough. Dock the bases lightly with a fork. Refrigerate for 15 minutes before baking for 15 - 18 minutes or until lightly golden.

Lightly brush the hot bases with egg whites to seal the fork holes and return to the oven for 1 minute.

Remove from rings and cool.

SALTED CARAMEL INGREDIENTS: 170g sugar 70g unsalted butter, cubed 125ml whipping cream ½ tsp salt

#2

Caramelise the sugar over low heat in a heavybased frying pan. Don’t stir — simply swirl the pan to avoid crystallisation. Keep a close eye on the sugar when it begins to caramelise as it burns quickly.

Remove from heat, add butter and whisk to combine.

Return to heat and add the cream, whisking vigorously until smooth. It will splutter and appear to have split — keep whisking until it comes together.

Remove from heat, whisk in the salt and set aside to cool.

220g 70% dark chocolate 220g whipping cream 45g full cream milk 45g unsalted butter, room temperature

METHOD: #1 #2 #3 #4

Roughly chop the chocolate and place it in a medium-sized bowl.

Bring cream and milk to a boil.

Pour hot cream mixture over the chocolate and leave for 2 minutes before whisking until smooth.

Add butter and whisk until smooth. Set aside to cool slightly.

MAKE IT AHEAD: #1 #2

Prepare the sable dough, line the tart rings and freeze. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.

Prepare the salted caramel and refrigerate for up to 5 days. When ready to use, heat until pouring consistency is achieved.

ASSEMBLY: #1

#2 #3 #4 #5

Fill cooled tart shells a 1/3 full with salted caramel.

(If the caramel has set, heat slightly in the microwave to achieve pouring consistency.) Place in the fridge for 5 minutes to solidify.

Pour the cooled ganache over the caramel layer, filling to the top.

Set aside to solidify at room temperature or in the fridge until set.

Serve as is or decorate with: toasted cocoa nibs / berries / chocolate beads/shavings.

Best eaten the day they are made. Store left overs in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

NATASHA LIVIERO - PASTRY CHEF Natasha is a recently qualified pastry chef who is South African by birth and Croatian by blood. She spent many years working for a wellness publication but did an about-turn at the beginning of 2020 when she joined a culinary school to fulfil a lifelong dream to study patisserie.

She’s passionate about European patisserie and loves spending time in the kitchen experimenting with recipes (while quibbling with her feline friends), and is always on the hunt for interesting new cookbooks. natashaliviero

FEBRUARY 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

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PARENTAL LOVE CONRAD SHARES HIS EXPERIENCES RAISING THIRD CULTURE KIDS IN INTERNATIONAL DENMARK. PHOTOGRAPHS ISTOCK

TEXT CONRAD MOLDEN

C

CHILDREN ARE LUCKY they are cute. Their beautiful sweet faces somehow manage to dissolve the upset and frustration that comes with taking care of them. No matter what struggles they put you through, their adorable little souls will somehow convince you to forgive them. Their cuteness connects deeply with a parental bond of love.

I have two children - I love them to bits. They are part British, part Hungarian and (from being born here) basically part Danish. Trilingual, energetic and both very cute. Luckily very cute.

Because if familial bonds of attachment were not there, you would not hang out with your children for very long. They would quickly become your worst best friends. Although despite their madness, your love for your children remains, it would quickly disappear with friends. Imagine coming into your kitchen, and your best mate has opened all the lowest cupboards, pulled everything out and broken your Royal Copenhagen tallerkener in the process.

Or he decides to violently wake you up at 05:00, only to tell you he’s really tired. Or you go to pick him up for a brunch date, he isn’t wearing any trousers, and he refuses to ever put any on. Ever.

Unconditional love for your child is tested during your lives together, unlike any other relationship. You watch this tiny human being move from fragile first movements all the way to an entirely miniature adult through the most bizarre and beautiful experiences. It is almost like taking a drunk friend home. You watch them discover they have a body, learn to crawl, walk and develop their speech. All along the way, you are their little guide. Helping them navigate through space and time. The only real difference is you are taking them to vuggestue (daycare) rather than the local pizza place.

However, unlike taking your drunk friend home, being a parent is genuinely an honour. Without an application process or even an interview, you are suddenly in charge of giving a tiny person the most fulfilling life experience possible. No questions asked, no training, no little voice asking, “do you really know what you’re doing?” Instead, you’re just thrust into total responsibility with a new pressing familial bond of attachment that forces you to love their sweet little face.

You really find out how much you are loved during these moments. I remember realising very quickly that, mostly, children’s toys are not necessary. (Spoiler alert for anyone getting babyready and just spent 5.000 DKK on all manner of child entertainment). Sure your child will look at the flashing lights or click the blocks together, but what they really want is you. They love you

“Did I ever love something this much before?”

CONRAD MOLDEN WRITER & COMEDIAN so much, and you are their world. You have been there for their entire existence. Games need your input, and stories need your voice. They will ask you everything and anything. It is extraordinarily exhausting but even more magical. And weirdly, you start to think: did I ever love something this much before? Of course, we all love Ferrero Rocher, fiskefrikadeller (fish meatballs) and expensive gin. But this new level of adoration moves heaven and earth to redefine how one perceives love.

Not all people will have children - some people will definitely have fulfilled lives without them. But if children aren’t for you, still take the time to put yourself in the shoes of the mothers and fathers out there. From the outside, sometimes these little people can seem like too much. Sometimes they break overpriced porcelain plates, decline to wear trousers or wake you up at a time that can only be described as “Satanic”. But just look for the glow of love they have for their parents and the cuteness in their faces.

These bonds of attachment tell us so much about the human condition. They run so deep that they are probably the glue keeping this whole civilisation together. THE-INTL

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

FEBRUARY 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

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where can i find a copy?

Don't miss picking up the latest issue at these public pick-up points around Denmark.

 PUBLIC PICK-UP POINTS ON ZEALAND SOCIAL BREW INTERNATIONAL HOUSE COPENHAGEN ART ESCAPE STUDIOS AMERICAN PIE ZOKU COPENHAGEN LOLLAND NEWCOMER SERVICE

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HACK KAMPMANNS PLADS 2 - AARHUS RANTZAUSGADE 4 - AALBORG TORVEGADE 23 - ESBJERG SKOLEGADE 1 - VEJLE ØSTERGADE 8 - HERNING KLØVERMARKEN 35 - BILLUND RÅDHUSSTRÆDET 6 - IKAST RÅDHUSTORVET 10 - SØNDERBORG

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

FEBRUARY 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

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LEADING STUDENTS TOWARDS EMPATHY PHOTOGRAPHS UNSPLASH / ISTOCK

TEXT MICHAELA MEDVEDOVÁ

S

SCHOOLS ARE INDISPENSABLE for building the knowledge of children. But the world is not just chemical elements, historical events, and physical reactions. Human relationships are a vital part of our lives, and we need to learn to approach them with care - and the classroom, where children spend so much time among their peers, is a great place to do so.

WHY IS TEACHING KINDNESS IMPORTANT? Empathy and kindness are key to building positive and productive human relationships. “This is something that we often forget when we think about education and ‘schooling’. Instead, there is an overwhelming focus on ‘knowing’ as much as possible,” says Louise Norup, a teacher at North Zealand International School (NIS).

But a kinder and empathetic environment can also boost children’s learning process.

According to Jessica Adair Melgaard, who also teaches at NIS, if learners - especially self-conscious teenagers - don’t feel a positive and responsive environment around them, they will rather stay quiet. “We teach kindness and empathy for many reasons, but firstly so that learners have the space to learn without having to be on edge.”

Being kind also leads to higher peer acceptance - based on 2021 research “Kindness Counts” by Kristin Layous et al., learners who performed three acts of kindness during the week experienced a significant increase in how their peers accepted them. But acting in a caring way can also directly make children happier. According to David R. Hamilton, acts of kindness kick off the elevation of dopamine levels in our brains, leaving us with a natural high.

TEACHING KINDNESS IN AN INTERNATIONAL SETTING Caring for each other can create a greater sense of belonging in a community - and even a higher level of understanding of different communities. This is increasingly more important in a globalised world and in a school like NIS, which learners worldwide attend. But according to their teachers, learners quickly understand that there are many right ways of “being”, and their difference in food, clothing style or accents in extreme cases lead to teasing. Quite the contrary - learners talk about their differences very little and focus on what connects them instead.

A respectful and understanding global setting has its unique challenges for teachers. “It’s commonplace that I have learners sitting next to each other that culturally represent opposing sides of current global conflicts. It provides ample opportunity to discuss what’s going on in the world in a neutral setting. It helps humanise ‘the other side’,” says Jessica.

DANISH EMPATHY Leading learners to be empathetic is an essential ingredient of international schooling. In fact, ever since 1993, empathy lessons have been an important part of the Danish curriculum for learners between 6 and 16 years old.

Alongside mathematics or languages, classes allocate an hour a week for Klassens tid, an hour for any learner to talk about their issues - school-related or personal - with the entire class cooperating on finding a solution. It teaches children to listen to each other with empathy and understanding and recognise emotions without judgment.

FEBRUARY 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

"EMPATHY AND KINDNESS ARE KEY TO BUILDING POSITIVE AND PRODUCTIVE HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS."

HOW TO TEACH STUDENTS TO BE KIND? This concept has its place at NIS, too. “We have a lesson a week we call ‘homeroom’, and it’s a space for us to have discussions about relationships and conflict. We have the chance to take up real-world examples, as well as discuss things going on in the class,” says Jessica.

The school aims for learners to be empathetic and principled global learners. “We endeavour to acknowledge these traits in the learners’ behaviour but also give them opportunities to recognise them in all aspects of the content of their learning,” says Louise. This may take the form of discussing characters and historical figures or reflecting on their approach to tasks.

Both teachers agree it is important to lead by example - showing kindness and respect to learners, especially when a conflict arises. “I also like to be sure that the content of stories I read or global issues I raise have a focus on kindness and understanding of others’ points of view. It is important that the children always understand that their experience is not always the same as someone else’s,” concludes Louise. THE-INTL

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FAMILY (REUNIFICATION) FEUD PHOTOGRAPHS UNSPLASH / ISTOCK

TEXT SARAH REDOHL

Denmark’s acceptance of alternative family structures is admirable. But not all its family-related policies deserve such praise, writes columnist Sarah Redohl.

D "DID YOU KNOW

there are 37 different types of families in Denmark?” This fact has been mentioned to me in several interviews as evidence of Denmark’s family-friendliness.

It’s true. Statistics Denmark counts 37 different types of families with children, plus six categories of families regardless of parental status. At first glance, I thought this might simply be a matter of statistics. As an agency employee once told me, “We have statistics for pretty much everything.” This is also true. Once you know how to use the agency’s statistics bank, you can indeed find data for just about everything. When I began pondering what might be behind Denmark’s variety of family types—and it was suggested to me that divorce might have something to do with it—I knew exactly where to look for evidence.

BY THE NUMBERS Although Denmark’s divorce rate has hovered between 40 and 50 percent for the past 30 years or so, its divorce rate in 2019 was identical to the EU average. And it’s not that Danes marry less, either; Denmark’s marriage rate in 2019 was 20 percent higher than the EU average. However, where Denmark does stand out is the number of births outside of marriage, with 54.1 percent in 2019 compared to the EU’s 42.7 percent.

What also makes Denmark unique, in discussion if not data, is the ease with which one can marry, divorce, and maintain non-traditional family structures. I was taken aback when a fellow international told me how she’d received a message to her E-Boks days after her now-husband proposed to confirm she wished to marry him. I was similarly surprised to discover Denmark had developed a reputation for being the ‘Las Vegas of Europe’ for quick and easy weddings. Divorces are also easy; one can simply apply online to the Agency of Family Law. There’s also the relative ease of main-

taining alternative family structures, partially due to Denmark’s social welfare system. In an article from The Guardian about the increasing number of single mothers in Denmark conceiving children with donor sperm (accounting for one in 10 babies born in Denmark), these so-called ‘solomors’ (solo mothers) said the choice was made easier both by society’s acceptance of single parenthood, but also society’s support: paid parental leave, affordable childcare, etc. Denmark is striving to make these benefits even more accessible to alternative families, setting a deadline of August 2022 for more inclusive parental leave reform.

Then, there’s also Denmark’s openness to alternative relationships. In 1989, Denmark became the first country in the world to recognise same-sex unions. It has a strong track record of protecting the rights of civil partnerships and recognising relationships of many stripes. I benefited from these policies when I could easily move to Denmark with my cohabiting partner. So imagine my surprise when I spoke to an American colleague about her own experience immigrating to Denmark after marrying a Dane. I thought her experience would be even easier than my own, but the opposite turned out to be true.

FAMILY REUNIFICATION FEUDS Denmark’s criteria for family reunification have on several occasions run afoul of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

In 2016, the Court ruled that Denmark’s requirement that the Danish spouse be a citizen for at least 26 years discriminated against people who obtain Danish citizenship later in life. As a result, the Danish government eliminated the requirement but retained its ‘attachment rule’ that the couple “have a greater attachment to Denmark than to any other country.” Then, it passed a law specifying that the attachment rule didn’t apply to those with high salaries or professions facing labour shortages in Denmark. This has led some to de-

clare Denmark’s family reunification rules remain discriminatory.

Already, it’s been suggested that Denmark’s 106,120 dkk bank guarantee (in the event a foreign spouse draws certain social benefits) violates article 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which forbids discrimination based on personal fortunes. As recently as last summer, the ECHR ruled against Denmark’s three-year waiting period for refugees applying for family reunification. In January 2021, the European Commission wrote that the remaining cost and criteria for family reunification in Denmark may still amount to discrimination. All that to say, the ECHR is watching, and they aren’t impressed.

BENEFITS PROTECT, BENEFITS PREVENT Why are there so many barriers for families of mixed nationality in Denmark? One government official I spoke to put it simply: The restrictions aim to limit access to social benefits. She didn’t wish to put her name to that statement, but many other officials have been happy to do so. So, in a way, the same benefits that make it easier for Danes to have less conventional families are also the reason for preventing couples and families of mixed nationalities from being a family in Denmark.

I admire that Denmark recognises family—and, therefore, love—comes in many shapes and sizes. I directly benefit from this policy. But love also transcends nationalities and borders, and I think that’s something Denmark could work on. Until then, having 37 different types of recognised families seems to me simply a matter of statistics. THE-INTL

SARAH REDOHL JOURNALIST, WRITER, FILMMAKER Sarah is a journalist, writer, and filmmaker from the American Midwest. Although she holds a journalism degree from the University of Missouri, she’s been a natural-born storyteller since she could talk. Her work has taken her all over the world, from Amsterdam to Zambia and many places in between.

She's travelled to more than 40 countries, living in several before settling down in Copenhagen with her partner and their two (well-travelled) cats. Prior to moving to Europe, Sarah worked in a variety of newsrooms, from print to radio, and taught multimedia journalism at her alma mater. @sarahredohl @sarahredohl @sarahredohl

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HOW LIVING ABROAD CHANGES US WHEN YOU MOVE ABROAD, YOU TEND TO THINK ABOUT THE EXPERIENCES AND FRIENDS YOU WILL MAKE. HOWEVER, HOW YOU WILL CHANGE DUE TO THE EXPERIENCE IS NOT SOMETHING YOU CAN FORESEE OR PREDICT. PHOTOGRAPHS ISTOCK / UNSPLASH

TEXT SHANI BISHOP

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I HAVE LIVED aboard three times now. As a child, in my twenties and then in Denmark a few decades later with my own children. Each one has changed me. Living abroad as a child didn’t appear to make any difference - it only became evident when I got to University. While I was happy to travel to Portugal for my dissertation and visit a friend in Mauritius, most people stayed home. After University, I lived in Japan. None of my university peers followed suit, and to be honest, I didn’t notice. It’s only now that I see it with clarity in the rearview mirror. Living abroad in Japan in the 1990s was rare, and people were often surprised that I wanted to go. So when the opportunity to live in Denmark came up, I was really keen. Three generations of my family have lived abroad as children, and I was keen my kids did too. Since leaving Denmark, I have noticed more differences in myself and my children

SKILLS DEVELOPED AS AN INTERNATIONAL Since returning, the main difference I have noticed is my levels of courage and fearlessness. Meeting new people is a regular occurrence for expats - I think you just get used to it. Since returning, I approach strangers easily and form new friendships with ease. As we all know, some friendships are short and intense and others more prolonged and lasting. I used to only want the latter in the past, but now I am fine with both. This acceptance was beneficial for me as it has allowed me to enjoy the ‘now’ more.

One friend at the international school in Denmark was especially good at networking, and I learned a lot from her about how to be successful at it. At the new schools in the UK, I am happy to form parent WhatsApp groups and invite people around at a much earlier stage than before. At a party recently, a friend said, ‘Shani knows everyone’. This did surprise me but does support my theory.

Expat life is often very sociable. My friend lives in Hong Kong, and she loves how sociable it is. She expressed a worry that when she returns home, she will be limited in the scope to socialise, but I think because her mindset has changed, she will continue to be sociable but just in a different way.

HOW THE KIDS CHANGE One evening on a tourist walk in Copenhagen, I noticed that the kids from different international schools seemed

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to interact really easily. It was almost instantaneous with no shyness at all. If kids are coming and going in your classroom, then changing and welcoming them becomes your norm. At my son’s new school, he volunteered to be a buddy to a newcomer, so this instinct obviously stays.

The arrival of children from different cultures also encourages curiosity in all things international. My son’s favourite club at his new school is Culture Club which I am sure you’ve guessed it the one centred on different countries. The session about Sinterklass before Christmas he could have taught!

The main difference I see is independence. They don’t seem to need the hand holding that their friends do when approaching new situations. Travelling and taking on new challenges seem less daunting, and they are definitely more courageous than I was at their age. THE-INTL

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COVID LOVE PHOTOGRAPHS ISTOCK / UNSPLASH

TEXT MONIKA PEDERSEN

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FEBRUARY IS THE month associated with celebrating love and ro-

“For many children it is the

mance. Sharing positive emotions and showing we care for one another is also an important thread to carry into our classrooms and practice at home with children during these testing times.

fear of the actual illness and what it can do to them or others in their circle of fam-

MENTAL HEALTH

ily and friends.”

The seriousness of the situation has forced well-being and mental health to the forefront of discussion, and the issue will not fade as the COVID virus rages and the latest Omicron variant features on the global scene.

For many children, it is the fear of the actual illness and what it can do to them or others in their circle of family and friends.

They are worried about the actual symptoms, the length of time they will be sick, and the isolation. Often students suffer anxiety as they fear they may be excluded and lose their friends as they have been infected by the illness. In addition, the inability to have contact with others can place a strain on a family.

In light of this, parents and teachers need to work together to provide emotional support to foster child well-being.

MONIKA PEDERSEN

PARENTAL CONSIDERATIONS As a parent, what can you do to reduce the anxiety your child is feeling?  Allocate time to talk to your child/children and explain what is going on in the world. Have them share their thoughts and feelings freely. Listen, be compassionate, and validate their feelings, as this has a calming effect and builds the sense of security they need.  Explain in child-friendly terms what COVID is and the possible symptoms. Frame it positively to manage their fears.

Focus on the precautions that can be taken, such as hand washing, keeping a safe distance, and healthy living.  Ensure your child has regular exercise to maintain a healthy body and mind. This, in turn, reduces stress hormone levels.  Allow time for play, so your child's mind can be stimulated in positive ways to avoid focusing on their fears and building capacity through creative, enjoyable activities.  To help your child stay calm when an upsetting situation arises, teach them some deep breathing techniques. Practice these techniques together, as this will enable your child to draw on this strategy in your absence.  Try to ensure your child stays in contact with family and friends. Decide on a safe bubble of people with whom to connect, sustain relationships, and retain a level of normalcy.  Seek out the positive in each day and keep a sense of humour.

And do things that lift you and your child's spirits.

TIPS FOR TEACHING TEAMS Teachers play a vital role in creating a safe and harmonious setting within the classroom. It is even more pertinent than ever in COVID times.  Again, provide students with age-appropriate information about COVID to dissimulate fears. Instil an understanding of how to react should a class member be infected to encourage

INTERNATIONAL EDUCATOR









good group dynamics and pivot away from negativity. And set up clear hygiene procedures so students can follow safe practices.

Allocate specific time each day to chat with the class about their feelings and listen to their thoughts. Individual chats are also a good strategy. Be mindful of any change in a child's behaviour and communicate regularly with parents.

Maintain routines to provide a sense of order and security.

Students like to know the plan for the day and routines to give life structure, which raises comfort levels.

Provide some unstructured time so students, depending on age, can play together and solidify connections or chat with each other, so they can share issues and concerns among themselves. Social interaction is essential to cement bonds and a team mentality.

Being positive, empathic, and caring is essential, as students need and rely on their teachers for stoicism, consistency, and guidance.

THE SILVER LINING The takeaway for all of us is to reach out and help each other.

Working collaboratively will help children cope with this 'strange' situation and be prepared for other obstacles they will need to navigate later in life. THE-INTL Sources: https://bit.ly/33QuNKq https://uni.cf/3qJF0RP https://uni.cf/3fGSwPM https://bit.ly/3fGSQ0W https://bit.ly/3nGRPdP https://bit.ly/3Ai37KD

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

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YOU ARE NOT ALONE ON VALENTINE'S DAY WE EXAMINE LONELINESS AMONG PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS IN DENMARK IN THIS ISSUE. BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE SHARE ADVICE ON HOW TO BREAK FREE FROM LONELINESS AND CREATE HUMAN CONNECTIONS.

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TEXT SARA R. NEWELL / MICHAELA MEDVEDOVÁ

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IF YOU ARE experiencing feelings of loneliness, there is nothing like Valentine's Day to really make you feel left out and alone. Although feeling lonely is unwelcome, it is a universal emotion all people share.

We propose that you don't assume that your happiness depends on your relationship status but that you use this Valentine's Day to create bonds and human connections with others, especially with others who also feel lonely.

One group of people who are especially prone to loneliness is people with special needs. The additional hurdles they face in their lives may cause them to experience the feeling of loneliness more often and for longer periods, and its effects may be even more detrimental to their health and quality of life.

THERE'S SOMEONE LONELY IN THE STATE OF DENMARK Many barriers people with mental or physical disabilities face in Danish society, such as lack of access to buildings, need for more accessible modes of transportation, health issues, or lack of financial resources, can become walls that stop people with special needs from socialising and making friends. In some cases, these barriers can even result in a life of solitude and isolation.

Perhaps one of the most significant factors contributing to loneliness among people with special needs is the lack of understanding and acceptance from people without disabilities and society as a whole.

Loneliness is unfortunately also common among children and young adults. A 2019 report from Statens Institut for Folkesundhed, which deals with the effects of disability or illness on the life of youth with mental diagnoses, shows that:  Loneliness is experienced by 20% of pupils with mental diagnoses attending the fifth or sixth grade and 16% of students in upper secondary education compared to only 5% of children and young adults with out mental disability or diagnosis.

Feelings of loneliness are often rooted in a lack of social inclusion with peers. According to a survey from Danske Handicaporganisationer:

fied with their lives and rated their overall health as better than those who did not. So if you're able to do so, tap into the volunteering options in your town! Your library or your citizens' centre can be a good starting point. At the end of the day, you might make new meaningful connections and contribute to helping someone else feel less lonely. Find volunteering opportunities by visiting: https://frivilligjob.dk/

 60% of parents whose child has a disability experience that their child is not a part of the social community at their schools.  46% of them reported the same social exclusion of their child in the child's free time outside of the school.

YOU CAN FIGHT LONELINESS AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE Feelings of loneliness can be hard to overcome. But it is important to remember that our individual actions can make a difference to how we or someone else is feeling.

A good starting point for fighting loneliness can be found in inspiration from others who have experienced loneliness. We include advice on how to ban loneliness from your life - or how to enjoy being on your own: 1. Find an event or take a class Despite the many shortcomings of social media, Facebook can be a great source of events. Whether online or local, you can browse the list of events. Even with current restrictions in place, you can find a safe and interesting way to spend an afternoon and meet like-minded people.

2. Volunteering Part of Denmark's DNA is about giving back. Volunteering can be a great way to achieve a sense of community, to make new friends, and most importantly - to make a difference for others at the same time as improving your own wellbeing. In a 2020 study published by the Journal of Happiness Studies, researchers found that people who had helped others through volunteering were more satis-

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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3. Strike up random conversations All friends have, at some point, started out as new acquaintances. The process of striking up a random conversation with a stranger may be daunting, especially if you are on the shy side. But some places, such as public transportation on long trips or cafes, are the perfect opportunity for making human connections.

4. Have a dance party at home Attending a party may be complicated for many reasons: restrictions, health, lack of social network, or practical barriers. But music and dancing (whether standing or sitting) are bound to raise most people's spirits.

5. Adopt a pet Who says only humans make for good company? Sometimes the reassuring company of a furry friend can be all you need. If your circumstances and condition allow, consider adopting a pet. Research shows that having a pet decreases feelings of loneliness and depression. For example, a survey carried out by The Human Animal Bond Research Institute found that 85% of respondents agreed that having a pet can help reduce loneliness.

Lastly, if you are struggling with loneliness - remember that you are not alone. THE-INTL Resources for groups that offer activities and social communities: https://ventilen.dk/ https://bit.ly/3rJf08y https://bit.ly/3nmc8sd

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

23

CULTIVATING LOVE AND

COMPASSION FOR ONESELF GUIDE TO SELF-DEVELOPMENT (PART 2) - LEARN TO ALLOW YOURSELF THE COURTESY OF LOVE.

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TEXT AINA MASOOD

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THROUGHOUT MY TRAINING and work as a mental health professional, I have seen people struggling with concepts of self-love and self-care. I have noticed them wanting to be loved by others while forgetting to do the same for themselves. Thus, it felt natural to talk about self-love as the second part of this guide to selfdevelopment. I would like to begin with Brene Brown's quote, "Owning our story and loving ourselves through the process is the bravest thing that we'll ever do."

Self-love refers to owning and loving yourself wholly. It means accepting and acknowledging your weakness and flaws as much as your strengths. It is about being yourself unapologetically and showing up for yourself when needed. Finally, it means that you show yourself the same love and care you might give to a person close to you.

The route you take to show love to yourself is self-care which means every time you prioritise resting on the weekend instead of having social commitments because you feel drained, you are doing an act of self-love, and that's your self-care. What route one might take differs from person to person and from time to time for the same person. Some days, you might need to have a morning routine to ease into your day and other days, you might need to wake up earlier to check things off your list. For some people, saying no might be an act of love, and for others, going on a vacation with friends could be it. The point is that there are various ways you can achieve the common goal of filling your cup.

SOME TIPS TO HELP YOU START YOUR JOURNEY #1 Be curious: Committing to being curious about your self is essential to know yourself and therefore, to love your self. This is the first step in any self-love journey. There are multiple ways to do this, but you must start with curiosity. Ask questions, notice how you react to situations, what do you like to do, what are your values and how do you prioritise, what do you prioritise. Think of it like you are meeting someone for the first time and would like to know them better. #2 Listen to your body: Our bodies are constantly communicat ing with us, but if we are not attuned to our bodies, we can't listen to what is needed. Some ways to become more aware of our needs include taking some time off to slow down every day. It can be through yoga, meditation, mindfulness practices or breathing exercises. You can also bring slowness to your mornings or evenings by purposefully adopting routines that help you reconnect with yourself. #3 Express yourself: Find ways to be expressive and creative.

Putting your thoughts and feelings to paper, into music, in stories, in any form of art is one way to go about this. Humans are creative creatures, and that is why a significant way of loving oneself is giving yourself the freedom of expression and satisfaction of mastery. Be creative with it. You might be

AINA MASOOD PSYCHOLOGIST Aina is the founder and CEO of R.A.I.N (Recognise, Accept, Investigate, Nurture), a company that helps universities and organisations take care of their colleagues and emfabulous at making jokes or throwing parties, or making coffee. Try to look for what you can do that you thoroughly en joy and do it. #4 Feel your emotions: Allow yourself to feel your feelings. Our feelings are how we react to situations and our brain's and body's tools of communication. They aren't inherently good or bad but are simply messengers or guests. So, please don't ignore it when you feel anxious, angry, or sad; instead, be inquisitive. What does this emotion feel like? What does it tell you? Where do you feel it in your body? These are all questions that will help you be more self-aware and attuned to yourself. #5 Using self-talk: It is pivotal how you talk to yourself. What's the language you use? Is it kind or harsh? Learn to engage in positive self-talk. You can do this by using positive affirmations, but use mindfulness techniques if they don't work for you. Whenever you find yourself being harsh or using negative words, actively stop yourself and find the reason behind negative self-talk. Change it to a kinder and more com passionate way to talk to yourself. You can also turn it into something you share with your friends and catch others when stuck in negative self-talk. This brings awareness and external validation. The goal here is to cultivate compassion and change our narrative about ourselves.

The journey of self-love takes commitment and patience. Give yourself the space to take detours and return to the journey. It is all good if you continue taking small steps with intention. THE-INTL

ployees' mental health. Aina has completed her master's in clinical psychology from Pakistan. She has lived in the USA for 6 months and has been in Denmark for over a year. Passionate about mental health and destigmatising mental health problems, she is working towards helping individuals and organisations be healthier, happier, and more productive. She accomplishes this by working with clients via Skype, conducting workshops/webinars with various organisations, and through research and writing. She is a professional photographer and uses her pictures to reflect on her daily life and shares them on her blog. A psychologist, writer, speaker, mental health advocate, photographer, explorer, volunteer, and a wife, Aina is making her way through the world and narrat-

"SELF-LOVE REFERS TO OWNING AND LOVING YOURSELF WHOLLY."

ing the story of her life. https://www.linkedin.com/ in/ainamasood/ https://www.instagram. com/ayena_reflections/

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24

JUTL AND

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS AARHUS AND EASTERN JUTLAND IS HOME TO MANY INTERNATIONALLY-MINDED COMPANIES AND ORGANISATIONS THAT ALL CONTRIBUTE TO THE INTERNATIONALISATION OF THIS AREA. THIS MONTH INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY GIVES THE FLOOR TO ITS VERY OWN TINY MAERSCHALK, LIVING AND WORKING IN AARHUS FOR ERHVERV AARHUS.

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TEXT TINY MAERSCHALK - INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

T

TODAY YOU CAN find many posters, wall stickers, signs, pictures, embroideries etc., with the phrase to hang in your home.

The phrase means that no matter who you are with or where you are in the world, your family and home always have the deepest affection and emotional pull. Only yesterday, I spotted a poster like this in a shop window, and it made me think about the meaning of the phrase to me, being a long term international here in Denmark.

After finishing my studies, I travelled to Denmark in August 1997 for what I expected to be just temporarily. Having studied Danish at a university in Belgium, I was on the lookout to improve my Danish skills to have a stronger CV to obtain a job as an interpreter within the EU offices in Brussels. However, life decided otherwise, and I stayed beyond the 2-year period I had anticipated. For the past 23 years, I have been living here, and I am hitting the point where I will have lived longer in Denmark than in my home country Belgium. However, having your heart in more than one country isn’t always that easy and can result in inner conflict.

Where is my real home? Is it a physical building or rather the physical closeness to other people, my most significant ones? Is it where my work, family, partner, children are? Or is it the home where I live now or where I grew up? Is it where I can find true love, memories and be happy with my loved ones?

Moving to a new country is exciting and exhilarating. It has its up and downs, though, I have to say. One day I look at Denmark through rose-tinted glasses, and the next, I might wonder why - for the

“Moving to a new country is exciting and exhilarating. It has its ups and downs though.”

love of God - people would ever want to live here, including myself. Upon arrival, I felt more at home in Belgium than in Denmark. After all, I was just here for a limited period. However, today it has shifted, and I feel more at home in Denmark. The sum of what Denmark offers has changed – it’s not just a country I live in - it’s now a home with a capital H. It is, of course, having my own family here, but also the closeness to nature, the work-life balance, even the reserved Danes kind of grew on me.

As an international, you can doubt why you ever made a move to Denmark. Somehow in times of frustration and adversity, your memory might play tricks on you depicting your home country as simpler and

happier. You need to remember that life has its ups and downs no matter where you live and where your heart is. When in doubt, make a list of the reasons why you moved here. Making such a list will help you remember the positive sides of your move and all the goals, dreams and hopes you had and wanted to achieve here. It takes time and effort to build a new life in a new country from scratch. Don’t expect it to happen all in one go. It took me years to build a new life, including valuable and lasting relationships. Who knows, maybe one day you too will be a long term international here and feel that both your home and your heart is right here in Denmark. THE-INTL

INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY OF AARHUS We of fe r a w ide ra ng e of events, seminars and online activities that help internationals get settled in Denmark.

Learn more on our website or follow us on: www.erhvervaarhus.dk www.internationalcommu nity.dk @internationalcommunity Aarhus @internationalcommunity aarhus

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25

GREAT LOVE STORIES...

SUSAN JESSEN SPIELE LIBRARIAN Susan is a librarian at Roskilde Library, and in charge of

Love has inspired many tales through the ages, and most of us have read or seen them. However, have you read some of these newer classics that have inspired some good films and TV series? Enjoy.

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

SAD, CLEVER AND FUNNY THE FAULT IN OUR STARS

BY JOHN GREEN Hazel is sixteen years old and has terminal cancer. In the support group, she meets Augustus, a cancer survivor who lost a leg to the illness. How can you live and love normally when you know you leave everybody behind?

A BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN, COMPLEX STORY LOVE IN THE TIME OF CHOLERA

BY GABRIEL GARCÍA MÁRQUEZ Florentino and Fermina fall passionately in love, but Fermina marries a wealthy doctor. Florentino is devastated and never marries, though he engages in many affairs. Fifty years later, he comes to the funeral of Fermina's husband.

SHORT, TIGHT AND RICH A SINGLE MAN

BY CHRISTOPHER ISHERWOOD George is a middle aged English professor living and teaching in California in the early sixties. He is grieving for his lover Jim, who died in an accident, the only person who really knew and accepted him. We follow him for a day.

LOVE, RACE AND HOMELAND

and book talks.

AMERICANAH

BY CHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE Ifemelu and Obinze were high school sweethearts in Nigeria, but now she lives in America, and he is moving fridges in England. Yet, as the years pass, they still think of each other and their homeland.

Can you go back to people and places?

DID YOU KNOW? A new year, a new Pub quiz; you can come as a team (max six persons), or if you come alone, we will help you find a team.

You are welcome to bring your own beverage or buy it here.

The chips/crisps are on the house! Friday 18th of February, free tickets: https://www. roskildebib.dk/arrangementer/ events-english/join-international-pub-quiz-english

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BUILDING BRIDGES CONNECTING INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS WITH DANISH CULTURE

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TEXT SKYLER BENTLEY HALL

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FASCINATED BY NORDIC mythology and culture, Angel Fernandez moved to Denmark a few years ago to embrace a new and challenging study environment. Originally from Venezuela, Angel was raised on two beautiful islands, Aruba, and Tenerife, before settling in Copenhagen. Angel has had a very enriching study experience at Copenhagen Business Academy, initially pursuing an Academy Profession (AP) degree in Service Hospitality and Tourism, followed by a Top-up Bachelor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

I crossed paths with Angel volunteering at International Citizen Days last year, and we discussed the unfortunate news of these valuable English-taught programmes being eliminated in August. As an ambitious leader and dedicated volunteer, Angel is focused on building bridges between internationals and Danish culture. He is an ideal example of how an international student studying in Denmark can positively influence university life and the local community.

SKYLER BENTLEY HALL EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANT

LEAD TO SUCCESS As the Chairman of Copenhagen Business Academy’s Student Organisation, Angel has focused on understanding the big picture of challenges students face while establishing a long-term strategy to address ongoing changes. He appreciates the value of building trustful relationships with CBA students and staff consistently advocating for his peers. Many volunteers have helped the school by being Intro Tutors (Welcome Buddies) for new students, supporting Danish and international students settling in Copenhagen. They try to inspire new students and encourage voluntary "A 'BETTER TOGETHER' involvement in the organisation.

MINDSET CAN BRING As a result, internationals may GROWTH TO CPH ON A feel more empowered to join a MORE INDIVIDUAL AND Danish network, whilst Danes can broaden their international PERSONAL LEVEL." mindset of culture and life.

BETTER TOGETHER Through collaborative efforts with Vice Chairman Jana Bubáková, they were invited to represent CBA at DESO, a Student Organisation for all Business Academies. Together with student representatives of other Business Academies, they address student concerns and strengthen positive interactions.

Angel shares his perspective, “It is important not to limit ourselves but to build bridges among those who can influence their future such as educational institutions or local companies. A ‘better together’ mindset can bring growth to Copenhagen on a more individual and personal level. Our talent gains value and growth when we build it with others. Education impacts life; therefore, it

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is smart to appreciate this and try to bring back the given growth to a community.”

GIVING BACK Angel appreciates what Denmark has offered him as an international student, a quality education with invaluable personal and professional growth. One of Angel’s most notable experiences was his internship at Copenhagen Municipality within the international department. Angel was willing to provide empathetic, honest, and realistic feedback about the target audience of the international experience. Additionally, in his role as Project Assistant for the Internationalisation Department (CIBB), Angel shared his ideas with important stakeholders, and one of his main projects was volunteering for International Citizen Days (ICD). He designed a communication station for the ICD with International House Copenhagen and promoted this event to Copenhagen Business School, University of Copenhagen, UN City and Microsoft. Angel has also been responsible for the planning and execution of The Living Library (TLL), a concept where expats who have been living in Denmark for an extended period share tips and knowledge to newcomers. Angel thoroughly enjoys contributing to his community, and ideally, he would like to remain in Denmark longer term, but if his future has different plans, it is Angel’s hope, “to leave something meaningful behind since wherever I go, part of Denmark and its people have grown inside of me and will always be with me.” THE-INTL

Skyler is originally from Canada, and after living in Switzerland for several years, she transitioned to Denmark with her husband and son all proud Canadians. Skyler has worked in the education sector for three decades and found her true passion for supporting students with their educational journey. As the Founder of Bentley Hall Educational Consulting, she advises on career and university options globally. Skyler enjoys spending time with family, exploring new cultures, and embracing the hygge lifestyle in beautiful Denmark. bentleyhall.ca instagram.com/skylerbent leyhall/ facebook.com/skyler.bent leyhall

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COLD WINTER AHEAD WHY ARE GAS AND ELECTRICITY PRICES INCREASING? PHOTOGRAPHS ISTOCK

TEXT NARCIS GEORGE MATACHE

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IN 2022, YOU will pay more for products, as it has become more expensive to produce them. In addition, rising energy prices are forcing businesses to increase the bill further to the customers.

Sadly, rising energy prices mean higher utility bills for you.

ELECTRICITY The average price is expected to be 90 øre/kWh in 2022, compared to 36 øre/kWh at the beginning of 2021. This means an average increase of 30% for a house with 4000 kWh/year (the math doesn’t add up because actual energy consumption represents only 25% of the electricity bill – the rest is transport, taxes and Moms). If you don’t have a fixed contract (fast pris), you will likely see some “wild” increases in your energy bill.

HEATING

SIMPLE ELECTRICITY-SAVING HABITS

If you warm up your house with a natural gas boiler, you can expect to spend at least 4800 dkk more. If you have an electric heat pump, you can expect to spend 1780 dkk more. If you are connected to the district heating company, check their website to see the price predictions for 2022.

Fill up your washing machine: On average, most people only wash 3.2 kg of clothes at a time, even though our washing machines are designed for 5-6 kg or 7-8 kg.

SO, WHAT’S GOING ON? The energy demand in the world is high (the world economy is booming), which has led to competition between Europe and Asia for energy resources. At the moment, China and India are willing to pay more than Europe. Also, the cost of pollution and emissions of CO2 in Europe has increased ten times since 2017.

WHAT ABOUT OUR RESOURCES? In the European Union, we are transitioning towards 100% renewable energy. At the same time, we are reducing the production of coal and natural gas while we close down nuclear plants. Unfortunately, we had a summer with less rain and wind than usual. This means less energy produced from wind turbines and hydropower plants (water reservoirs). This also means reliance on imported natural gas.

Unfortunately, the European gas suppliers failed to replenish stocks after the cold spring of 2021. Moreover, 40% of the imported gas comes from Russia. Now Russia is using this situation for geopolitical reasons (approval of Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline; intervention in the Ukraine border crisis; etc.) and is sending less gas than usual through the existing pipelines. Russia’s agenda is to turn the European population against the transition towards renewable energy by making us experience a cold winter.

The current situation can be called “a perfect storm” on the energy market, and it is the result of failed energy and storage policies that made us very dependent on gas imports. Our only way out is to accomplish what we already started – the transition towards 100% renewable energy. THE-INTL

Temperature counts: Wash clothes at 20 instead of 40°C and 30 instead of 60°C. By minimising the heat setting, you save 55% on electricity consumption.

Use a drying rack: Hang the clothes on a drying rack instead of using a tumble dryer. It costs almost 10 DKK every time you dry your clothes in a tumble dryer. If the weather is good, drying clothes outside smells the best!

Be mindful of turning off lights: Turn off the lights in the rooms you are not using. Change to LED the next time you need to buy new bulbs. For example, replacing five halogen spots of 35 watts with LED saves almost 500 DKK per year on your electricity bill.

Temperature settings on appliances: For every degree, you lower the temperature in your refrigerator, consumption increases by 5%. Likewise, for each degree the temperature falls below -18°C in your freezer, electricity consumption increases by approximately 2-3%.

Dishwasher smart: Load the dishwasher fully and wash at a lower temperature. For example, if the dishes are washed at 50/55°C, they use 10-20% less power than those at 65°C. Save approx. 200 DKK per year if you fully load the dishwasher every time.

NARCIS GEORGE MATACHE Political Analyst Born in Romania, shaped by Denmark and dedicated to the European Union, he has spent most of his twenties advocating for a more internationally-minded Denmark. As one of the most active youth leaders in Denmark (top 20) and Europe (top 50), he has built the largest youth organisation in Aalborg, making the city more inclusive. Today, he continues his mission to make Denmark more inclusive by building an information service that produces multilingual content to connect the non-Danes to Danish society. You can book him for workshops, seminars, training, speeches on youth participation, democracy, European citizenship, Danish politics, and media literacy. @narcisgeorgematache

FEBRUARY 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

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LOVE IN DENMARK LOVE DOESN'T ALWAYS CONQUER ALL, AND IT DOESN'T ALWAYS WIN, BUT IT DOES ALLOW YOU A LARGER CAPACITY TO ACCEPT AND EMPATHISE WITH EACH OTHER. ON A MORE SPIRITUAL NOTE, LOVE YOURSELF FIRST THE WAY YOU WANTED TO BE LOVED, AND LOVE WILL FIND YOU.

PHOTOGRAPHS UNSPLASH

TEXT OPHELIA WU

L

LOVE, WHERE SHALL we begin? February is a month when love is in the air, a universal theme yet so personal on every level.

It's the most beautiful thing and the most powerful thing, for better or worse. So, I asked around and tried to gather some perspectives from Danes, locally born and raised ethnic minorities and internationals living in Denmark on what they think.

First, let me tell you why it may be so hard for some to find love or meet someone decent here in Denmark. According to my Danish friends, the single pool here is highly competitive because many women from rural parts of Denmark or other less international countries move to the capital in search of a higher calibre man. So, internationals, you're not just competing with other internationals but also locals.

After informal social research and drawing from my own experiences, I have gathered some interesting common findings, whether they are single looking for love or partnered with a Dane. From what I gathered, it all boils down to cultural differences as a central theme and a xenophobic undertone for some.

CULTURAL DIFFERENCES Even Danes find Danes too shy and distant.

They like staying close to their social circle. Without the help of dating apps and alcohol, they find it challenging to meet new people and potential dates. Even the dynamic is fun and flirty at a party (with alcohol, of course), and things might seem optimistic; it would change when they're sober. Danes find internationals easier to date as they are more direct and open about wanting a relationship. They reckon asking someone out is way easier than moving across countries.

While Denmark is a very liberal and diverse country, couples of different races, families and cultural backgrounds also find that cultural differences play a significant part in choosing a partner and approaching relationship milestones. One milestone is meeting the parents. In many cultures, especially in Asia and the Middle East, usually introducing your partner to your parents means you're taking the relationship seriously, and there is a hint of potential marriage down the line.

While in Denmark, it is also a typical ges-

FEBRUARY 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

OPHELIA WU FASHION CONSULTANT & JOURNALIST L i ke he r hometow n Hong Kong, Ophelia has a diverse background and upbringing.

She moved to Copenhagen in ture, but it does not always automatically mean the same.

Gender equality and communication style is also distinctly different. For example, Danes tend to see their partners as equal; there are no unwritten rules of gender responsibilities. But, on the other hand, their trust in their partner's ability to manage something might be considered cold and non-caring in some cultures. So, for example, when they argue, there's usually a calm, open and everything on the table style for Danes, and as my friend would say, in Italy, "it's usually more colourful".

HIDDEN IDEOLOGY OF STEREOTYPES OR EVEN A XENOPHOBIC UNDERTONE An open country like Denmark appears very welcoming, but in some ethnic minority communities, that's not always the case. Mixed-race couples are more prone to encounter these unfortunate situations.

Once, a Danish friend took his Asian girlfriend, who is raised here, out for dinner; a drunk old Danish man insulted her with the most horrible things at the restaurant, calling her a prostitute.

A Danish girl decided to take her Denmark born and raised, part Middle Eastern boyfriend to meet the parents, paced it out because she is so worried her grandparents won't accept him for the way he looked, be-

cause in their belief system, "those group" of boys means trouble. So, even you share the same cultural background, these unforeseen scenarios still happen in the most ordinary daily settings.

UNDERSTANDING IS KEY These factors are almost universal, so the more you understand who you're dealing with and what that package entails, the easier you can navigate and eliminate unnecessary misunderstanding. For example, those who moved to a foreign country for a partner is romantic but stressed.

They would often struggle to settle into their new life, primarily due to the reasons above. It is so easy to blame the other half for all the frustration, but it takes maturity, compassion and understanding to realise while you're struggling, your partner is also working to help you settle in.

So, whether you're single and ready to mingle or happily (or unhappily) coupled, in many ways, a relationship requires effort and communication. Love is unconditional, but the form of love evolves. Love doesn't always conquer all, and it doesn't always win, but it does allow you a larger capacity to accept and empathise with each other.

On a more spiritual note, love yourself first the way you wanted to be loved, and love will find you. THE-INTL

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 PORT OF AARHUS DENMARK'S LARGEST CONTAINER PORT.

PHOTOGRAPHS ISTOCK

TEXT MARIANO ANTHONY DAVIES

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APPROXIMATELY 65% OF all container traffic to Denmark goes through the Port of Aarhus – including many of the world’s largest container ships. This extensive facility has resulted in a route network to almost any port globally.

The Port of Aarhus is not just the biggest in Denmark, it is also recognised as one of Europe’s most efficient container ports and among the most efficient in the world as its cranes can perform more container lifts per hour than most other container ports.

Aarhus Port Authority has a strategy to become carbon neutral by 2030 – potentially making it one of the most sustainable ports in the world and for sure the most sustainable port in the Baltic Sea region.

The UN has a global focus on 17 SDGs (Sustainability Development Goals) to secure the future of our planet. Aarhus Port Authority has a strategy that focuses on four of these:  Sustainable energy.  Industry, innovation & infrastructure.  Sustainable cities & communities.  Life at sea.

AARHUS SDG INITIATIVES Discounts are given to environmentally friendly ships, where levels of NOx, Sox and CO2 are calculated in relation to the Environmental Shipping Index and use of shore power. As a result, the port is already able to supply green energy to ships and ferries.

In addition, all diesel engines are systematically being replaced with petrol or electric engines for higher efficiency. Furthermore, intelligent LED lighting has also been introduced, which has reduced electricity needs by almost 80%.

Biodiversity initiatives have also been taken at sea and on land. These include sowing wildflowers to attract bees and establishing breeding grounds for fish within the port to increase the overall biodiversity of the port area.

A water drone is used to remove any minor surface oil and waste that would otherwise drift out to sea. Finally, waste separation containers have been placed throughout the port to reduce the amount of waste incineration.

THE PORT'S BUSINESS AREAS INCLUDE: Container facilities Besides the efficiency already described,

MARIANO ANTHONY DAVIES PRESIDENT & CEO OXFORD BUSINESS SERVICES APS the port offers five-to-six-minute access to an outer city motorway network that stretches all the way to the southern tip of Italy. Given its accessibility and strategic placing, the port is used by many of the largest export companies in Denmark.

THE PORT OF AARHUS HAS BECOME THE MOST IMPORTANT COMMERCIAL P O RT I N D E N M A R K A N D I S S I T UATED JUST A STONE'S THROW FROM THE CHARMING OLD CITY OF AARHUS.

Solid and liquid bulk It is Denmark’s largest solid bulk ports with four separate terminals. The Bulk and Multi Terminals typically handle grain and feed produce as well as coal and fertiliser. Its Omni Terminal can unload stones and gravel and its Oil Terminal can carry out advanced unloading of vegetable and mineral oils.

ing, towing and cable routing services as well as many modern cranes for loading and unloading.

The Port of Aarhus has become the most important commercial port in Denmark and is situated just a stone’s throw from the charming old city of Aarhus.

years with British Chambers

A Room with a view After a hard-working business day in Aarhus or for a young couple looking for a romantic and affordable hotel with magnificent views, you should consider booking a room at Hotel Atlantic, from which you will have easy access to both the city and the harbour area. Besides the breathtaking winter evenings and night lights and the summer bustle views, both the harbour area and city are within easy walking distance.

One of those walks could be to Aarhus Harbour Library “DOKK1” – more than just an impressive harbourside library in this so-called “city of smiles”. THE-INTL

has a British university edu-

Ro-Ro facility Aarhus Port has advanced and quick ro-ro (roll on and roll off) facilities for the transportation of goods and people within Denmark and throughout the Baltic Sea region. This includes a fast ferry service to the northern tip of Zealand – the quickest connection between Denmark’s two largest cities.

Cruise ships The number of cruise ships that spend a day in Aarhus Harbour increases every year as Denmark’s second-largest city has many tourist attractions and its people are known for their kindness and courtesy.

Mariano has over 40 years global experience as a bus ness executive. He spent ten years with KPMG, so far thirty of Commerce (while also running Oxford Business Services ApS). He is a British citizen, who grew up in Kent, went to boarding school in Sussex and cation. He has been married to a Dane for over 45 years and has held over 150 official anti-Brexit speeches since 2016.

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

Storage The port has bulk storage facilities for such items as gain and nuts but also for refrigerated and frozen goods.

Land and sea services Aarhus is a full-service port offering pilot-

FEBRUARY 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

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HOW TO SPOIL YOUR VALENTINE FUR BABY PHOTOGRAPHS ISTOCK / UNSPLASH.COM

TEXT TAREK ABU SHAM

T

TRADITIONAL VALENTINE'S GIFTS are, for obvious reasons, inappropriate for pets, but this doesn't mean that they have to miss out on all the fun. For example, cats may love to nibble on plants and flowers, but unless it's catnip grass, it may be harmful to them.

Likewise, chocolate can be toxic to most animals, and with aggressive players, stuffed animals may not make it more than a few minutes. So, here are a few creative ways to celebrate with your pet for this Valentine's Day.

TREATS

Dogs are probably the easiest to shop for, with almost endless choices at your local pet store and boutique bakeries catering to pets only. If you want to do something more personal, you can even bake treats for them at home. Here's a link to one of many recipes available online: https://bestfriends.org/stories/features/threehealthy-holiday-treats-your-dog-and-all-his-friends-will-love When picking treats from the pet store, there are a few things to consider. In general, although pig ears and bully sticks may be tasty, there is a chance of your pet picking up salmonella from the processing of raw animal parts. Rawhides are also tasty, but if eaten too quickly or in large amounts, they can be a risk for an intestinal obstruction, so make sure to monitor your pet while eating.

Make sure to check the country source of the treats as well. Ones that are made domestically may be less likely to be problematic.

GO ON A DATE What's your pet's favourite thing to do? Go for a swim? Go for a hike? Maybe they just really like car rides…to anywhere. An outing can be a great way to bond with your pet. If the weather is good, a long walk on the beach or a hike in nature may be the best way to enjoy the afternoon with your furry friend. If you live somewhere cold in February, other options are available for indoor fun.

Look for local dog-friendly restaurants and pubs in your area if you're looking for a new dining experience. Even taking a trip to a dog-friendly store could be a big outing for your canine companion. Also, indoor agility courses may be a good change of pace for your energetic dog.

PRESENTS Avoid packaging, wrapping, bows, etc., as they are just another thing for your pet to accidentally ingest. Most pet stores will have Valentine's-themed toys and clothing after Christmas, but it may be the right time to buy something new and different for your pet.

Toys that encourage playtime with your pet will help you bond more with them. Keeping your pet's brain active is just as important as keeping their body active.

A new cat tree or window perch may bring joy to your feline friend. However, not every cat loves catnip. In fact, most kittens won't react to it until they are around six months old. Some fe-

FEBRUARY 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

TAREK ABU SHAM CEO & FOUNDER OF MYPETERINARIAN

"A DOG WILL TEACH YOU UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. IF YOU CAN HAVE THAT IN YOUR LIFE, THINGS WON'T BE TOO BAD." - ROBERT WAGNER lines may even become overly excited or, in rare cases, mildly aggressive. Most pet stores will have a range of toys, clothes, and accessories available for felines.

MOVIE NIGHT Thankfully with endless streaming entertainment online, a snuggly night on the couch watching your favourite pet-themed movies is a cheap and relaxing night in. Netflix or Amazon Prime also have videos of wildlife such as birds and squirrels that you can leave playing to keep your pet entertained while you are at work.

While there are many options for your pet, the best choices are ones that your pet and you will enjoy together. So, whether it's a hike or a snuggly night in, your pet will be happy you lavished love on to them this Valentine's Day. THE-INTL

Tarek was born in Amman, Jordan and from an early age has had a love for animals.

He met his spouse in Amman and then soon embarked on an expat lifestyle that took him to Dubai, Prague, and now Copenhagen. Originally a veterinarian, Tarek reinvented himself professionally and decided to launch his own company.

W it h M Y P E T E R I NA R I A N , Tarek has combined his veterinary experience with his entrepreneurial spirit. MyPeterinarian cares for pets in the Copenhagen area, offering pet sitting, walking, veterinary services and more to come soon. www.mypeterinarian.com

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HOW COMPANIES CAN HELP: By purchasing a subscription to support your internationals in your company Using the copies as a conversation tool between internationals and Danes An opportunity to highlight your company as a distribution spot in Denmark FEBRUARY 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

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For visitors

Keep your distance if you are not vaccinated

Postpone your visit and self-isolate if you have symptoms

Preferably open windows and doors during your visit

Cough or sneeze into your sleeve – not your hands

Wash your hands often or use hand sanitiser – and always when you arrive and before you leave

Avoid touching things during your visit.

This applies to, for example, tabletops and handles etc.

It is a good idea to get tested before your visit

21.05.2021

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engelsk

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