relocation guide spring 2011

spring 2011

rELOCATiOn gUiDEwelcome home ...

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BREWPUB6X365_english.pdf 28-09-2010 19:53:41

Welcome to Copenhagen! You’ve arrived in one of the most liveable cities in the world, if you

believe Monocle magazine that is. The city has not placed outside the top three since the

magazine first compiled a list of the Top 20 Most Livable Cities in 2007, and there is no sug-

gestion that Denmark’s capital will slip anytime soon.

Copenhagen may induce images of bikes and beer, but in reality there is a world of excitement

and sophistication in this European gem that has just become your new home.

The city is fast becoming a recognised fashion destination, and in July of this year Strøget, the

famous pedestrian shopping street, became the world’s longest catwalk for the culmination of the

Copenhagen Fashion Festival. Should your own walk down this cobbled stretch become a bit too

tiring, then the famous Danish café culture comes into its own. Here you can sit and watch the

world go by, feasting on the cakes and pastries that, undeniably, the Danes do better than anyone

else.

Culture vultures can also rest easy in their beds. Copenhagen has a wealth of museums and gal-

leries to wile away the hours on those cold winter afternoons. After all, I can promise you many

things from this great city, but consistently good weather is not one of them.

When the sun does come out, however, the cityscape is quite something. The juxtaposition of

old European glamour and stark 21st century design makes for a unique picture. Other distinctive

features include the coastline, the numerous city parks and, of course, the bicycle paths that line

almost every street. Take yourself up the Round Tower to Europe’s oldest functioning observatory

for the best view.

Nearly 40 percent of residents use their bikes to get to work every day, and Copenhagen is known

as one of the most environmentally friendly cities in the world. The integrated transport system

also makes getting around easy, and many people don’t own cars at all.

Copenhagen is a city of the future: sophisticated, fashionable, environmentally conscious and

fun. You are here to become a part of that future, embrace it!

The Copenhagen Post Relocation Supplement - Spring 2011

The card is no bigger than a creditcard, yet it opens the doors to a mul-titude of sights and experiences. cO-PENhagen CARD entitles you to freeentry or discounts to almost 100 mu-seums and attractions, as well as freepublic transport by metro, bus andlocal S-train throughout the region.

cOPENhagen CARD isavailable at:• www.copenhagencard.com • Tourist information offices any-where in Denmark, including the Co-penhagen Right Now touristinformation office opposite the mainentrance to Tivoli Gardens. • Copenhagen Airport, major railway stations and many hotels, campsitesand youth hostels.

cOPENhagen CARD makes it chea-per and easier to explore the Copen-hagen area’s many cultural, historicaland entertaining attractions.cOPENhagen CARD entitles you tofree entry to more than 65 museumsand attractions throughout the capi-tal region and discounts on a furtherrange of attractions, as well as on carhire and in selected restaurants –and even includes free public trans-port to get you from one attraction tothe next. Now you can easily visit TheMuseum of National History at Fre-deriksborg Castle in Hillerød and ex-perience 15,000 years of living historyat Sagnlandet (Land of Legends) inLejre – on the same weekend!

Relax in the Workers’ Museum, enjoymodern art at ARKEN in Ishøj, have ahoot in the zoo or a kiss on a carou-sel in Tivoli Gardens. Whether youare from Kyoto or Chicago or a local,a cOPENhagen Card in your pocketsaves you money.

Prices and validity of cOPENhagen CARD• The card is valid for 24 or 72 hours.• The price of a 24-hour card is 229kroner for adults and 115 kroner forchildren (10-15 years).• The price for a 72-hour card is 459kroner for adults and 225 kroner forchildren (10-15 years).

• Two children under 10 years of agemay accompany an adult cardholderfree of charge.See the list of attractions offering freeentry and places offering discountsat www.copenhagencard.com

Maximise your holiday budget!

Welcome to your neW home!

POST BOX

President and Publisher - Ejvind Sandal

Chief Executive - Jesper Nymark

Editor - Kevin McGwin

Layout & Design - Lyndsay Jensen

Sales and Marketing Director - Hans Hermansen

Sales and Advertising - Mark Millen, Lyndsay Jensen,James Honeyman Wooler

If you would like to contact us or leave a comment: [email protected]

This supplement is published by The Copenhagen Post, please refer

to our disclaimer on page 2 of the newspaper.


4

eaded by Queen Margrethe II, the royals can often be seen out and about in Copenhagen, in fact it was recently announced that the young Prince Christian will soon attend public school in the suburb of Gen-tofte. With such modern attitudes you might be sur-

prised to find out that the Danish monarchy is one of the oldest in the world. The lineage can be definitively traced back to Gorm the Old, who died in the year 958. Since then an unbroken line of 52 monarchs have ruled Denmark.

Originally, the succession was elective and in return the king (there have only been two Danish queens including the present one) had to sign a charter which agreed upon a balance of power. This changed in the early 1600s when Frederik III introduced a he-reditary, absolute monarchy for both Denmark and Norway.

Norway had been ruled by a Danish monarch since the creation of the Kalmar Union in 1397, a clever move on the part of Queen Margrete I which lasted until 1814. This period of absolutism, where no one could question the power of the monarch, continued until a constitutional monarchy was introduced by Frederik VII in 1849.

In 1863, Christian IX ascended the throne. Earning him the title of Father-in-law of Europe his three daughters married into royal houses across the continent, including the British and Russian dy-nasties. In the early 1900s these families often came to Denmark to

spend holidays together at one of the many royal palaces. Follow-ing him were Frederik VIII and Christian X before Frederik IX took the throne in 1947.

Frederik and his wife Ingrid had no sons and it was widely accept-

ed that his younger brother Knud would ascend the throne upon his death. However in 1953 a new Act of Succession was drawn up allowing Princess Margrethe to ascend the throne. The laws of suc-cession were amended permanently in a 2009 referendum where Danes voted for succession in order of birth, regardless of gender.

Princess Margrethe became Queen Margethe II of Denmark on January 14th 1972 and her husband, French-born Henrik, became her prince consort. The couple’s first child, Crown Prince Frederik, was born in 1968, thus securing the succession.

In the year 2000 Frederik met an Australian by the name of Mary Donaldson whilst he was visiting Sydney for the Olympics. The couple announced their engagement in 2003 and were married in Copenhagen on 14 May 2004. The bride spoke no Danish before moving to the country but took intense language lessons and these days can be heard speaking Danish in public.

In 2005 the couple’s first child, Prince Christian, was born. He was joined by a sister, Isabella, in 2007, and twins were born to the fam-ily in January 2011. The pair, Prince Vincent Frederik Minik Alexan-der and Princess Josephine Sophia Ivalo Mathilda, were christened

at the same church their grandparents were married in on April 14.

Today the royal family are a respected, and even cherished, part of Danish life. Jes Fabricius Møller, royal expert and lecturer at the University of Copenhagen, feels that the royals owe much of their popularity to the queen herself.

“Historically speaking, royal popularity is a recent thing, and it has risen significantly since the current monarch took the throne. This is because she has a very elegant way of dealing with the pub-lic, she is both dignified and direct and is not afraid to talk with the press. Compared with, for example, the British queen, this is a different approach.”

Møller also attributes royal popularity to the fact that the family have a very clear understanding of their role in society.

“The present queen’s father, Frederik iX, embraced democracy and since then there has been

a very clear division of work between the head of state and the head of government. The royals have largely

steered clear of politics and scandal and the Danish people respect them for it.”

A very royalstory

h

The monarchy are a very real part of contem-porary Danish society thanks in part to their

ability remain regal while appearing normal By Catherine Gordon


Denmark’s most effective

Danish courses!

www.kiss.dk

The Danish authorities have recently improved the visibility and clarity of the procedures that need to be followed when moving here. To help you along, here is a guide to point you in the right direction. But as procedures vary depend-ing on your situation, it’s always best to check with the relevant authorities.

So how doeS it work?

STEP 1Residence/work permits

If yOu ArE An Eu CITIzEnIf you plan to stay in Denmark more than three months, you must apply for a certificate of reg-istration no later than three months after your arrival. Be prepared for it to take a couple of weeks.The application must be submitted in person to the Regional State Administration (RSA) where you live. Check with the ‘Statsforvaltning’ which RSA you belong to and whether you need to make an appointment first. The State Admin-istration office for Copenhagen is located at: Borups Alle 177, 2400 CPH NV. (72 56 70 00; Opening hours: Mon-Wed 9.00-14.00; Thu 13.00-17.00; Fri 9.00-13.00). Remember to bring your passport and one passport photo. You will also need to bring documentation prov-ing the reasons for your stay, e.g.

• Proof of employment: employment contract if you have one.• Proof of sufficient means: documentation showing means of financing your stay, e.g. bank account statement in your own name.

(N.B. as of January 2009, this amount was approx. DKK 70,000 per adult).• Students: documentation for (eligible) educational programme For non-EU family members of EU citizens, check the requirements with the ‘Statsfor valtning’ first. Once citizens of EU or EFTA countries are issued a residence permit, they do not need a separate work permit (arbejdestilladse).

If yOu ArE nOT An Eu CITIzEnIf you aren’t an EU citizen, check with the Dan-ish Immigration Service (www.nyidanmark.dk) regarding visa requirements, residence and work permit regulations, as these vary. Much will depend on your profession as to what type of residence permit (opholdsbevis) is issued. If you are being expatriated, your company or a relocation agency will offer the best advice. If you are in Denmark as a tourist and wish to apply for a residence permit, you need to go to: The Danish Immigration Service (Udlæningserv-ice), Ryesgade 53, 2100 CPH Ø. (35 36 66 00)

STEP 2Your yellow card - CPR numberThis card is the Danish equivalent of a Social Se-curity number/ID card: It’s the key to accessing many things in Denmark. First and foremost, it’s your personal health insurance card and entitles you to doctor’s visits and emergency treatment under the Danish state healthcare system.You will also need this number when you deal with public authorities, open a bank account, set up utilities, take up a language course or en-

rol your child in school, for the tax office, often to get a job, and even to use the library.Once you have your residence permit, you need to visit the Citizen Service Centre (Borgerserv-icecenter) in your local authority (kommune) in person to register with them. Bring your resi-dence permit, photo ID, and marriage or birth certificates for your children, if applicable. You also need a fixed home address (a hotel or busi-ness address won’t suffice). At the same time as registering for your CPR number, you will also be asked to choose a GP (general practitioner).There are six Citizen Service Centres in Copen-hagen, but if you’re not sure, it’s best to speak to the CPH International Service (details below).Your CPR number should arrive quite quickly, and your yellow card should follow soon after. It’s worth noting that state health insurance does not cover the cost of medicine, dental treatments and some special treatments such as physiotherapy.

STEP 3TaxThe third step, once you’ve received your CPR number, is to register with the tax office (SKAT) for your tax card (skattekort). This is vital if you are working. You will need to provide details of your annual income and an assessment of your tax liability. If your employer does not have your tax card, you will automatically be taxed in the region of 60%, which can be reclaimed but may leave you a little short of cash. Check www.skat.dk for more information. The central tax office in Copenhagen is at: Sluseholmen 8B, 2450 CPH S (72 22 18 18; opening hours: Mon-Wed 10.00-14.00; Thu 10.00-17.00; Fri 10.00-14.00).

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Navigating the rules, regulations and red tape in an unknown land can be a minefield. Figuring out what documentation you require and in which order you need to get it in may send you rushing for the first flight home. By Celia Thaysen

5

6


The key to a successful and stress–free relocation, according to Copenhagen Relocations, a company specialising in helping expats and corporate employees relocate to Denmark, is to

get on to things early. The more you organise before leaving home, the easier things will be when you actually arrive in your new coun-try.

An example of this is to file the necessary residency and work per-mits in advance, meaning that when you arrive in the country you can hit the ground running – there is nothing worse than spending hours waiting in line at the immigration office in the first few weeks following your arrival.

Once you have obtained your residency or work permit you are able to register with the National Register of Persons (‘folkeregister’ in Danish). Everyone who intends on staying in Denmark for longer than three months (six months for those from other Nordic or EU countries) is required to register at the National Registration Office in the municipality (‘kommune’ in Danish) where they will be living.

Registering will give you your vital CPR number, which is not only

your key to becoming a legal member of society but is also neces-sary for such things as opening a bank account, receiving your sal-ary, registering with a doctor and enrolling in school or daycare in-stitutions.

Once you have your CPR number you will also be covered by the public health insurance. The key to this service is your little yellow card, one of the most important things you will receive in Denmark. The public health insurance is financed by your taxes and designed to ensure that everyone has equal and free access to health serv-ices. Some newcomers may have to wait up to six weeks before they become eligible for the insurance.

Free schooling is available for every child from the age of seven in Denmark, and while all families with children aged six to 16 will automatically receive information on schools and education when they register with the National Register, Copenhagen Relocations recommends starting to contact the international schools and day-cares before the physical relocation itself since many schools have waiting lists and so the sooner they are made aware of the arrival, the better. They also advise signing your child up to more than one school to ensure there will be a place waiting for them and also to allow for more flexibility when you are looking for a house. The school year in Denmark starts at the beginning of August and ends in the middle of June, though students are generally admitted at the time they arrive in the municipality.

One seemingly inconsequential, yet vital part of the relocation process is the ability to keep an open mind. Things in Denmark are different from where you come from and the more you compare things to home all the time the more you can miss out on what Den-mark offers. Life in Denmark is unique in many ways and by getting settled in quickly and maintaining a good attitude through the proc-ess you are going a long way to set yourself up for an enjoyable experience in the ‘happiest’ country on earth.

getting settled in denmarkPacking up your life and heading abroad to live is a challenging prospect even for seasoned expats. But by being prepared and seeking help

with those experienced in the practice the ordeal doesn’t need to be as stressful or as difficult as you might have feared. By Jimmy Fyfe

The Clinic for ADULT ORTHODONTICS

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Please contact us for a free extensive examinationwww.ortofuture.eu - [email protected]

ORTOFUTURE , Engelbrektsgatan 7 – 1st floor, 211 33 Malmö

Tel. +46 40 631 5700

Train from Copenhagen Central Station to Malmö Central Station 25 min

InsIde tIps from Copenhagen post employees for how best to settle Into your new home

Lyndsay Jensen (sales, marketing & design): Get out and about and explore your new city right from the start. Buy a day pass for the metro and get on and off at random. Not only will it help you to see the place where you live, you might end up meeting some new friends along the way.

Ben Hamilton (newspaper editor): Joining a sports club can be a fast way of finding a crowd of like-minded people and to have fun at the same time. As job-hunting in Denmark is so network orientated this can also be one of your best ways of finding work in the long run.

Jennifer Buley (journalist): A great way to start learning the language here and also to meet new friends and start developing a social network is to go to Danish school.

Bjørn Ekstrøm (intern): Don’t be fooled by how ex-pensive things appear. There are plenty of cheap places to eat and drink out there – it’s just a matter of local knowledge and of going and out and explor-ing the city to find them.

James Honeyman Wooler (sales): Don’t be scared of the food. Although Danish food might appear rather bland and boring, things like rye bread are cheap and filling– ideal for those on a budget so you’d be a fool not to give it a try.

MalmöGustav Adolfs Torg 8B211 39 MalmöOpening Hours:Mon-Fri 10.00-18.00Sat 10.00-17.00Sun 12.00-16.00

www.englishshop.se

THE ENGLISH SHOPFood Drink Books Gifts

Whether you're missing Marmite, pining for pickled onions or craving Cadbury's, The English Shop has everything your expat heart desires. We are now open on Gustav Adolfs Torg in the heart of Malmö, only 5 minutes walk from Malmö Central Station.

NOW OPEN IN MALMÖ, JUST ACROSS THE ØRESUNDS BRIDGE


ChECkLisT wiTh Things TO rEmEmBEr

TAXBefore you start working in Denmark, you must ob-tain a tax card. Taxpayers in Denmark must obtain a tax card from SKAT via their employer. The tax card ensures that you get the tax allowances and deductions you are entitled to before your employer withholds tax from your income. Your employer will obtain your e-tax card from SKAT. You do not have to do anything yourself. The preliminary income assessment and the e-tax card for 2011 are de-scribed in detail in the guide Preliminary Income Assessment 2011.www.skat.dk

BAnk ACCOUnTIn order to open a bank account in Denmark, you need to appear at the bank with the following docu-mentation:• Passport or ID card• Documentary proof of your address in DenmarkIf your salary is paid by a Danish employer, it is possible to transfer your salary from a Danish bank to a foreign bank account. These transfers can take a couple of days and some banks charge a trans-fer fee. For more information, contact the bank.

sChOOLsAll children from the age of seven who live in Den-mark have the right to receive education free of charge at the Danish Folkeskole. Apart from the mu-nicipal schools, a number of private and international schools offer education for a fee. Families with children aged six to 16 will automatically receive information about school and educa-tion when they register at the National Register. It is the responsi-bility of the municipality to inform the family about the possibilities and to help newcomers fill out the applications - this goes for for-eign newcomers as well. You can always contact the school admin-istration and ask for guidance and advice about your opportunities. The school year starts at the beginning of August and ends in the middle of June, but students are generally admitted whenever they arrive in the municipality.

ChiLDCArE FACiLiTiEsIn most municipalities, parents are guaranteed a place for their child in a childcare facility within a short period of time. If you would like to have your child cared for by a childcare facility, childminder or kindergarten, you must contact your local municipal-ity, which will try to find a place for your child as quickly as possible.Usually the local authority will try to find a place in a childcare facili-ty close to your home. Most local authorities, however, allow you to make requests as to what type of facility you prefer, eg if you would rather have your child cared for at a kindergarten than through a childminder arrangement or in an outlying facility rather than an ordinary kindergarten.

hEALTh insUrAnCEForeigners in Denmark are covered by the public health insurance. It ensures that everybody has equal and free access to the public health services. Some newcomers have to wait six weeks to become eligible for public health insurance. The public health insurance is financed by taxes. Your key to public healthcare is your yellow health insurance card. It is of course possible to obtain a private health insurance policy to supplement the public health in-surance.

Driving in DEnmArkIt is not necessary to convert a foreign driving licence

if it has been acquired in an EU country or in Norway,

Iceland, Switzerland or Lichtenstein. Licences from

other countries may be used for 14 days after perma-

nent residence has been established in Denmark, after which pe-

riod they should be converted. If you are from a country outside

of the EU you may have to take a test. Contact the nearest Citizen

Service Centre (Borger Service), there are several in Copenhagen,

eg: Indre By, Jarmers Plads 7, 1551 Kobenhavn V

To apply you will need:

Current driving licence, Passport or original birth certificate,

Residence Permit or Visa, Health Insurance Card,

Medical certificate, 1 Photograph, DKK 260

More information can also be found at www.kk.dk

ChOOsing A DOCTOrWhen you fill in the forms for the health insurance

card, you receive a list of general practitioners in

your area of residence. You are free to choose be-

tween those who accept new patients (these will be

indicated on the list). The doctor’s name, address and

phone number is displayed on your health insurance certificate.

You can get a new doctor if you wish. If you belong to insurance

category 1, you can change your doctor by contacting your local

authority. The change will take effect 14 days after the authorities

received payment for issuing a new health insurance card. If you

are in insurance category 2, you do not choose a particular doctor,

but may consult a new one whenever you please.

It does not cost anything to get a new doctor, but you have to pay

for the new health insurance card you will receive after a change of

doctors.

more information can be found at www.nyidanmark.dk

8


JOBs FOr spOUsEs

for many expats relocating to Denmark, the move has been arranged by their company and a secured job is here wait-ing for them, ready to be stepped into

and started immediately.

The spouses of those with jobs already sorted however, are not always as lucky as their part-ners, and are sometimes required to go that extra mile in order to find work.

hErE ArE A FEw EXpErT Tips ABOUT ThE BEsT wAy TO gET sTArTED.

networking is keyThe most important thing when looking for work in Denmark, says Anette Pilmark from Spouse-care, a company that specialises in helping spous-es of foreign workers living here develop their social network and find work, is to realise that many jobs out there are not advertised. Denmark is a country very dependent on professional net-working and who you know is just as important as what you know. Online networking can often be just as important, and social networking sites such as LinkedIn are also valuable tools to be uti-lised.

Make sure your CV is up to scratchAnother tip that Pilmark offers is that when ap-plying for jobs make sure that your resume (CV)is Denmark-ready. It is important to adjust your resume to make sure that it fits the Danish norm and to also be aware that most job applications require a cover letter as well as the CV itself.

For non-native English speakers it is important to show you have professional English skills and for those with a degree or qualification in a language not recognised in Denmark the International Of-fice for Foreign Educations (en.iu.dk/recognition) can make free assessments of different diplomas.

Play to your strengths and when you get a chance make the most of itAccording to Mette Steffensen from Supporting People, an expat employee support and integra-tion guidance company, because of the small size of Denmark and the large number of quali-fied workers here, those jobs that are advertised receive a high volume of applicants. Because of

this, Steffensen stresses that when you do get a chance you need to be prepared and make the most of the opportunity. As well as reiterating the need to apply for the job in the a way that Danish employers are accustomed to, Steffensen also stresses the importance of showing that you are willing and able to work in a different environ-ment and to target yourself specifically to the role you are after.

use the tools out there to help youYou are not the first foreigner to search for a job in Denmark and you won’t be the last, and as such, there is plenty of support out there, both private and public, designed to help you on your way.As well as the various private companies who work with spouses of foreign hired workers there are also more general courses put on by the city council. One such course is Første Job i Danmark (First Job in Denmark - www.forstejob.dk). Taught in English, as well as Danish, this course is de-signed to give you a basic overview of how the job-hunting game works in here and is designed to get independent foreigners living in Denmark into the labour market.

Starting your own business Last year Denmark was nominated as the best entrepreneur-country in the world and regis-tering a company here is much easier than you might think – making starting your own company not only an attractive option, but a viable one as well. All EU citizens are permitted to establish a self-owned business in Denmark and the Copen-hagen Business Centre at the city council offers all the practical advice you need to sort yourself out here, with free seminars and answers to ques-tions that you might not even know to ask. With their consultants coming from different cultural and professional backgrounds they can help you formulate a business plan and give you informa-tion on all the essentials such as bookkeeping and budgeting.

While job-hunting in Denmark can seem chal-lenging at times, by learning how the job hunt-ing game works here, thinking outside the box, and focusing on your specialties, strengths and unique skills there are plenty of options available here for those eager to find success.

The Copenhagen Post provides some expert tips for finding jobs for spouses By Jimmy Fyfe

sUsAn AvEry: give away some of your time for free. Often volunteering some of your time to begin with can get your foot in the door and lead to paid work and a full time job in the end.

JOhn FrAnCis: get out and about in the community. To find a job here it’s all about networking, so you need to meet people to enlarge your social network. Things like joining sports clubs, or meet-up groups are a great way to start, and if you have a Danish partner get to know their friends and colleagues.

pETEr wiLLs: when it comes to the Danish language, a little goes a long way. you don’t need to be fluent in the language but just trying to speak a little shows that you are open-minded and eager to learn and that can make a lasting impression on would be employers.

CArOLinE CAin: There’s no business if nobody knows you exist. word of mouth is the most effective form of mar-keting so get yourself out there and tell everybody what you do.

Tips FOr FinDing wOrk FrOm ThOsE ThAT hAvE sUCCEEDED

More space and � exibility than most hotelsWhy settle for a small hotel room when you can enjoy a spacious fl at with the added benefi ts of free Internet, free parking, central location & state-of-the-art fi tness facilities?

Our spacious, fully-furnished and serviced apartments are designed to make our guests feel closer to home, combining privacy and 5 star facilities for the price of a traditional hotel room.

Enjoy Charlottehaven’s tranquil atmosphere for short term or extended stays.

Please contact our sales & reservation manager Christina Stage for reservation at tel. (+45) 3527 1517 or e-mail [email protected]

www.charlottehaven.com

Hjørr inggade 12C | DK-2100 København Ø | Tel : +45 3527 1500 | info@char lottehaven.com

Hotel Apartments | Conference Hall | Health Club | Café

Feel at home in Copenhagen

Cph_post_relocation_131x175_maj11 1 10-05-2011 10:35:07


inspiring excellence on the danish west coast since 2008!

Esbjerg International School • Nygårdsvej 82 • 6700 • Esbjerg +45 7610 5399 • +45 2913 0502 • www.esbjerginternationalschool.dk

HIgHlIgHtS:• A great education in English for children aged 3-17• High academic and social standards tailored to meet the needs of each individual student• Danske elever i skolealderen kan vælge faget dansk, på samme niveau som i en almindelig dansk skole. Med de samme bøger, pensum og danske lærere. I alle andre fag undervises på engelsk.• Support for students new to the English language• A nationally- and internationally-recognised programme of study enables a smooth transfer to other schools/gymnasiums• Students from over 20 different countries have joined our school since it first opened in 2008• New students registered between now and 1 October 2011 receive a 50 per cent discount on tuition in August and September. Plus, the first sibling pays half the price of your first child- all other siblings are free!

not everyone enjoys living

in the ex-patriate bub-

ble when living abroad.

While many revel in the camarade-

rie of the diplomatic dinner circuit

where the high turnover of con-

sular staff ensures plenty of fresh

faces to keep one on one’s toes,

sipping G and T’s in hotel lounges

while around you mill the same

people you thought you’d left be-

hind when you took the exciting

overseas post, can be unsettling.

And while those stationed in Mogadishu or Baghdad can be for-

given for hiding in barricaded compounds away from the locals who

pose a certain security risk, there is hardly any excuse for those on

European postings to avoid mingling with the natives. Especially in a

country like Denmark where the prohibitively high cost of running a

car, means there’s a financial imperative for ditching the motor for a

cosy ride on the bus amongst the Danes.

Some people, however, do genuinely want to return from their

posting having made some Danish friends. So how do you go about

it? First things first, you need to learn the language. A word of warn-

ing, this is going to be tricky. My father, a diplomat of sorts, is ap-

proaching his twentieth year in the country is still finding it a night-

mare. While on paper it’s a simple language with basic grammar and

a relatively small vocabulary, speaking it is an entirely different jar

of pickled herring. Mastering the deep monotone and throaty rasp

requires years of.

Thankfully you don’t actually need to speak it. Most Danes speak English and once you begin to understand Danish, simply interject into conversations in English. While some find it difficult to handle a conversation spoken simultaneously in two languages, I’ve found the majority of Danes cope well with the arrangement. But should you be questioned on your unwillingness to speak Danish simply an-swer that if they understand English well, and you understand Dan-ish well but have trouble speaking it, then it is in the best interests of good conversation that you adopt this arrangement.

But before you set out to make some Danish friends, it’s worth talking a little about how to approach and understand them. Far too many a foreigner has encountered the Dane on their home turf and come away feeling hurt and dejected. For at first glance, the Danes are a removed and arrogant bunch. Queuing is not always strictly adhered to, small talk on public transport is frowned upon and the teenager at the till is not going to ask if you’re having a good day and thank you for dropping by.

And that’s just the way it is. So resist the urge to be offended, they just see the world differently. In public they are frank and no-nonsense and expect each other to be brimming with self-esteem. Their concept of rudeness is much more narrowly defined than the British or American version where in some circles merely omitting a ‘please’ is considered gravely disrespectful. But being determined or arrogant in Copenhagen is seen as an attractive quality, not self-obsessed or narcissistic. The essential premise is if you don’t believe in yourself who will?

So now you can navigate in public without getting the hump be-cause the bus driver didn’t smile at you, how do you go about mak-

ing some friends? Networking comes more naturally to some than to others, but the essential premise is in the beginning you can’t be choosy – accept invitations to anything and everything because you don’t know who you’re going to meet. What you need is an ‘in’, someone to invite you into the bowels of their society.

This is important because in Danish society bonding is conducted behind closed doors with their nearest and dearest. From the Chris-tian Confirmation of their 13-year-olds and truck-ride graduation celebrations to their many Christmas and Easter dinners, they jump on any opportunity to celebrate and fly their flag. But while they embrace community and celebration as a means to reinforce social bonds, intimacy is key and invitations to outsiders to join in are hard won.

It is not, however, impossible. Volunteer and introduce yourself, find out where other people party and start showing up. After a while you’ll start getting invited along to other parties or events. And then hopefully it snowballs as you meet more and more people and start being seen as belonging to a scene or community.

There is, however, an oppressive side to the Danish culture. De-spite the legal basis for the ‘normalisation’ of Christiania and the eviction of the anarchists from the Ungdomshuset building in Nør-rebro, both events can be viewed as attempts to homogonise a so-ciety that once prided itself on its embrace of plurality. And with Søren Pind’s now famous remark that foreigners ought to ‘assimi-late’, there is a sense that having different values is seen as a threat rather than an asset.

But I’m an apologist – no culture is perfect, and not everyone will find the Danish culture as embracing as I have. I find them fiercely loyal and incredibly generous. As far as I’m concerned it was worth the effort. I don’t need the superficial kindness of strangers, just good friends who will invite me along to great parties. Perhaps I just got lucky. But you’ll never know if you never try.

How To meeT THe Danes By Peter Stanners

9

10


Sascha Eichendorff was an easy sell. He knew that the fourth-floor apartment in downtown Aarhus was the one he wanted as soon as he laid eyes on it back in January.

But before Eichendorff, a German student at Aarhus University, could move in, he was given a con-tract so intricate that it confused even him, a PhD student in medical biochemistry.

Everything about the apartment – everything – was spelled out in the agreement. There was, for instance, a section about the aluminum tube that connected the sink to the dishwasher, as well as rigid guidelines about the type of soap he could use on the floors.

“It was like a recipe,” Eichendorff says of the soap instructions. “It said I could use ammonia, but only up to a very specific percentage. It was bizarre.”

Equally surprising to Eichendorff was the part about paying: before moving in he had to hand over a deposit of three months’ rent, three months’ prepaid rent and, on top of all that, his first month’s rent.

“I basically paid seven rents when I moved in,” he says. “That’s pretty intense.”

Strange as the contract seemed to Eichendorff, such details are commonplace in the Danish housing market. For while it is indeed possible for foreigners like Eichendorff to both buy and rent housing,

there are some rules – a lot of them, actually – that people may want to know.

According to Peter Høyer, the managing director of Scandia, a housing firm founded in Copenhagen in 1993, Eichendorff’s hefty deposit is nothing unusual. In fact, there are Danish laws – found in the Rent Act (‘Lejeloven’ in Danish) which runs in excess of 25,000 words – requiring tenants to pay at least three months’ rent up-front.

“In the US and some places in the Far East and Middle East,” he says, “you can rent out apartments the same way you rent out a hotel room. That can be great for the tenant, but the person who owns the property is exposed. So the law protects owners in case the tenants don’t follow the rules.”

Another distinguishing characteristic of the Danish housing market is the length of the lease. In the US, Høyer says, it is not unusual for a tenant to sign a one-year lease and then extend it indefinitely.

But in Denmark, the duration of a lease is pre-determined and rigid – you can’t simply extend or terminate a lease at your convenience.

“Here, that’s illegal,” he says. “You have a fixed time. So the idea that you make a year-by-year con-tract isn’t something that’s done in Denmark, and that may surprise some people.”

Before buying or renting a home, a quick study session may be in order By David Vranicar

home work


Danish for foreignersintensive courses for well educated foreigners

Sign up now!Contact our counsellors by phone 3815 8521.We look forward to seeing you.

Falstersvej 3-5 • 2000 Frederiksberg • Telefon 3815 8500 • www.vuf.nu

stribevis af mulighederVoksenUddannelsescenter Frederiksberg

www.vuf.nu

Foreigners might also be surprised by the myriad taxes levied

against buyers. Søren Jespersen, a broker for EDC, a national chain

of estate agents, says the tax structure set up around buying a

home or apartment can be dizzying.

According to Jespersen, a buyer must pay the state 0.06 percent

of the price of the house, in addition to a flat fee. And that’s just for

the right to buy – it’s separate from the actual cost of a property.

There are also taxes based on the value of the land (‘grundværdi’)

and the value of the building itself (‘ejendomsvurdering’).

“This can add up,” Jespersen says. “If you bought a flat for five

million kroner, then you’re paying a lot of money just for the right

to buy your flat, before you even get into the actual cost.”

And should someone need a mortgage, Jespersen says they

must pay the state 1.5 percent of the amount of the loan.

“The state actually earns a lot of money when people buy and

sell houses in Denmark,” Jespersen says. “A lot of Danes don’t even

know that. And this can be a lot of money if you’re loaning four or

five million kroner.”

While taxes represent a big difference between renting and buy-

ing a house – there aren’t, according to Høyer, any taxes levied

against renters – buyers and renters alike might want to consider is

getting outside help. Høyer says that renters should hire an agent

to avoid confusion and surprises, and Jespersen’s advice goes a

step further: get a lawyer.

This assistance isn’t necessary for everyone. Eichendorff, for

one, was able to wade through his housing agreement without any

real problems. Still, he double-checks that soap recipe whenever

he cleans his floors.

12


The Copenhagen Metro system opened back in 2002 and

last year over 52 million passengers used the system

which stretches from Vanløse to Copenhagen Airport on

the island of Amager.

The ambitious project first came into discussion in 1992, and fol-

lowing on from its success an extension to the current Metro was

agreed on 2007. The City Line, or Cityringen in Danish, will consist

of two new lines and extend the Metro by another 17 stations in-

cluding one at Town Hall Square and one at Trianglen, near the city

lakes and Fælledparken.

The new line should speed up journey times around the city

considerably. It is estimated that the longest single trip on the City

Line will take 14 minutes, significantly less than the time many bus

journeys currently take on the same route. The expansion is ex-

pected to increase annual Metro passenger numbers to over 72

million. However, the new line won’t be open until 2018 at the

most conservative estimate, so don’t start planning your journey

just yet.

The original estimates for the City Line construction put the

budget at about 18 billion kroner, but when the bids for the con-

struction work were made in November of last year this was in-

creased to 21.3 billion kroner. This budget increase was attributed

to practical issues, at the time Henrik Ploughmann Olsen, manag-

ing director of the Copenhagen Metro explained that contractors

were less willing to take risks following on from the financial crisis,

and that working under an old city such as Copenhagen required

continual dialogue with the authorities to prevent any damage be-

ing done to historical sites.

At present there are a number of archaeological digs taking

place across the city in connection with the new line. Organised by

the Museum of Copenhagen, the teams are excavating sites that

will be affected by the new line.

Joakim Thomasson, leader of the Antiquarian Department

responsible for the excavations, explained that this large scale

project with some 60 archaeologists involved.

“We are interested in looking at how Copenhagen has devel-

oped into the city it is today, we’re looking to get a long term per-

spective on the city’s development from a small town into a large

metropolis,” he said.

The museum’s archaeologists are focusing on four primary sites,

each with a specific aim. At the Assistens cemetery in the Nørre-

whAT LiEs

The new Metro line will open in 2018 but first archaeologists and historians must excavate large sites. By Catherine Gordon

BEnEATh

bro district archaeologists are gathering information about burial

customs of the nineteenth century and how grave digging became

a skilled craft.

“We have already learnt a lot, for example we know something

about how the gravediggers maintained the cemetery,” Thomasson

said. Cemeteries seem to be something of a theme for the excava-

tions, as another one has recently been uncovered at Town Hall

Square, potentially dating as far back as the Viking Age.

At Kongens Nytorv Square, where teams have been digging since

January 2010, there is just as much to look at: a well preserved

old town has already been excavated, including early medieval re-

mains. Teams have also found evidence of plots that date back to

the thirteenth century, which may have marked the original city

limits. Thomasson explained that construction of the Metro will

make it impossible to keep the remains in the ground, but said the

museum will try to preserve parts of the larger structures as best

as possible before moving them to become part of the museum

collection.”

When excavations are finally complete (hopefully in 2012) and

construction begins in earnest, we can expect the new stations to

be a bit different to those we have already. Although architects are

anxious to continue with the core idea of large, light subterranean

spaces, they are stressing that whereas current stations are nearly

identical, City Line stations will have more defining characteristics

to distinguish them.


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14

The besT Things in Copenhagen are free

One of the first things newcomers to the city notice is that Copenhagen is a pricey place. But that doesn’t mean you can’t explore the city on a budget. We’ve compiled ten of our favourite things to do in the summer time that don’t cost you a krone. By Kevin McGwin


TOp piCks!

CiTy swimmingWhether it’s swimming in the har-bour or wading at one of the city’s new man-made beaches, Copenha-gen is a haven for water bugs. No less than seven outdoor swimming areas

June-Augustvarious hours

sTATEns mUsEm FOr kUnsT (nATiOnAL gALLEry)Copenhagen’s a great outdoor place when the weather is nice, but when the skies darken and the raindrops fall it’s still possible to find free fun. The National Gallery (as well as the National Museum) all stopped charging admission in 2006 as a way to encourage more people to visit state-run museums.

Tuesdays-sundays 10am-5pmwednesdays 10am-8pmmondays closed smk.dk/en

FLEA mArkETsOn any given Saturday or Sunday in the spring and summer, you’re like-ly to stumble across a neighbour-hood flea market in Copenhagen and its suburbs. Although techni-cally, flea markets aren’t free if you don’t buy something, it’s always enlightening to see what kind of bric-a-brac Danes fill their homes with.

Check local bulletin boards and The Copenhagen post in & Out guide for places and times

miLL sTrEAmAlso known as the cradle of Danish industrialism, this 30km stream run-ning through Copenhagen’s leafy northern suburbs from Furesø Lake to the Øresund is both a historic and natural gem. Walk or bike along the stream.

(Canoe rentals also available – although they aren’t free.)

JAzz FEsTivALThe Copenhagen Jazz Festival is probably the city’s marquee event, and while ticket prices for the big-gest names reflect its reputation, part of the festival’s charm is the wealth of free and spontaneous concerts.

where? Everywhere when? July 1-10Jazz.dk

1 2 3 4 5

15


Bernstorffsvej 54, 2900 Hellerupt +45/ 3962 1053f +45/ 3962 1081email: [email protected]

CHRISTIANIAInteriør – Interior

by Karina Tengberg and Tami Christiansen

Christiania, the Freetownin Copenhagen – a book to inspire!

A unique book offeringan unprecedentedglimpse inside the dwellings of Christiania as well as an impressionof the often very inven-tive interior ideas in theFreetown in Copenhagen.A tribute to diversity.

Text in Danish and Englishand a lot of beautifulpictures.

www.nytnordiskforlag.dk

BikingCopenhagen’s most convenient mode of transport is also one of the best ways to see the city. Auto and bike traffic tends to be light during the summer, which makes heading out into traffic a little less daunting. For those planning to commute by bike, summer is a great time to get used to the rules of the road.

mAriOnETTE TEATrETHumour is a language everyone understands. Copenhagen’s Mari-onet Teatret began as a Punch and Judy show in 1966. Since then, this silent children’s theatre has evolved to become a beloved sum-mer tradition for all ages as well as a highly regarded theatrical experi-ence that won the nation’s highest theatre award in 2007.

kongens have1 June-31 August (Daily except monday)2pm and 3pm (shows take 30 minutes)rain or shine

FriDAy nighT skATEFor a unique way to see the city, try doing it on skates, at night, to-gether with dozens of other people. Whether you’re into in-lines or retro style, you’re welcome. Routes are safely screened off from cars.

routes start at solberg plads, Frederiksbergselected Fridays between April 22 and september 2, 8-10pmfns-cph.dk for more info

COpEnhAgEn sUmmEr DAnCEAnother summer favourite for the energetic. From novice to national champ, everyone is welcome to the city’s free summer dancing in Fælledparken. Styles vary from Danish folk dance to Bollywood. Sessions start with a brief lesson in the evening’s style followed by dancing to recorded music.

Fælledparken20 June-21 July monday-Thursday, 7-10pmweather permittingsee full program at www.kk.dk – search for ‘sommerdans i Fælledparken’

COpEnhAgEn COOkingThe shower of culinary kudos showered upon the city in recent years has definitely done some-thing to pep up the city’s self-respect as a cooking nation, and the Copenhagen Cooking festival builds on this success. Celebrating its seventh anniversary this year, the 10-day event offers everything from climate-friendly food, har-bourside fish tasting and markets galore. Værsgo’, as the locals say.

various locations throughout the city19 Aug-28 Aug

6 7 8 9 10

Residents of Christiania announced earlier this month that they were ready to accept the state’s offer to let them buy the land the commune occupies.

“After seven years of uncertainty they have decided to buy and rent all the buildings and land,” Chris-tiania’s lawyer, Knud Foldschack, said after the decision was announced. “That means Christiania and all of us can now look forward to a secure future. This is the end of a period of uncertainty.”

The announcement came after Christiania closed itself off to outsiders in order to give residents time to consider the offer and end a 40-year legal battle over their rights to the disused naval base.

Christiania had until Monday to respond to the state’s ultimatum that residents either collectively – or each resident individually – buy the buildings. Failure to do so would have seen the state take charge

of the property and convert the commune into a new public housing association.

The acceptance letter to the state did indicate that there were “minor conditions” that had yet to be

clarified. According to Foldschack, two main points of disagreement persist: the community’s right to

exclude people from living there, and the status of 300 houses built on the historic embankment sur-

rounding the community.

“It cannot be right that people who are against Christiania should be allowed to live here,” said Fold-

schack. “If you want to live there, you will have to favour the community.”

Because the historic defensive embankments are showing signs of wear, the state wants the 300

houses built on them to be torn down. In addition, it says that as a public greenspace it should be kept

free of housing. Christiania residents hope the buildings can remain in place, so a solution must be

found to this particular problem before any final agreement can be reached.

“minOr COnDiTiOns” sEpArATE FrEETOwn AnD sTATE

After four decades, Copenhagen commune Christiania is about to become fully legal in the eyes of the state. By Dann Vinther


16

Foldshack hopes these two points will not strain negotiations be-

tween the two parties. “We have come so far now that it would

be foolish of the politicians to remain unyielding on the final two

points.”

City councillors from both sides of the political spectrum have

reacted positively to the Christiania residents’ acceptance of the

state’s offer.

“It is always positive when the Christiania community reaches an

agreement,” said Mayor Frank Jensen. “But it’s no secret that there

has been trouble with these kinds of agreements in the past.”

Jensen sees Christiania as a breathing space for Copenhageners as

well as a great tourist attraction. He is, however, worried about the

recent increase in violence and threats in the area – which is why

he is particularly pleased that the residents have chosen to buy the

whole commune collectively.

If the buildings had been sold individually, he said, they could eas-

ily have been bought up by organised criminal groups.

A similar sense of relief came from the Socialist People’s Party

Christiania spokesperson, Pernille Frahm. She agreed that stopping

the crime in the area is of utmost importance, and that the police

must be given proper working conditions within the area. She does,

however, warn against generalisations: “We should take care not

to take the whole of Christiania as hostage just because there are

individuals who run amok every time they see a police uniform.”

The future of Christiania now depends on the price of the build-

ings, according to Frahm. “It would run counter to the Christiania

spirit if those who do not have the sufficient funding are not al-

lowed to buy their own buildings.”

The combined cost of all the buildings is estimated to be some-

where in the region of 150 million kroner. With state subsidies, the

monthly rent for an average 100 sqm flat in the area is expected to

amount to some 6,600 kroner.

Christiania hopes to raise the money through community loans. It is

unclear whether it will now become more expensive to live in Chris-

tiania, but according to Foldschack, the agreement presupposes that

everyone will be able to continue living there.

“We don’t want it to become some sort of social cleansing,” he said.

MANY M2 - GOOD PRICE

Copenhagen VSkydebanegade 48Sagsnr. 4707

77 1/2 mezz. 1893 NO

ÅBENT HUS VIEWING ON SUNDAY 15/5 AT 14:00 OR CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT

Estate Kyed, Lehmann & LindhardtVesterbrogade 144 BCall 3264 0800



77 1/2 mezz. 1893 NO





77 1/2 mezz. 1893 NO





77 1/2 mezz. 1893 NO



Andelsbolig

The apartment features:- Central location- A bright living, 2 rooms- Short distance to transport- Beautiful backyard

Price of the share: 795.000Monthly rent (incl. taxes): 3.974with Utilities (on account): 516

OPEN HOUSE VIEWING ON SUNDAY 15/5 AT 14:00 OR CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT


SIzE: 32 hectares

LOCATIOn: northern section of Christianshavn.

POPuLATIOn: about 1,000

fLAg: Three yellow discs on a red field. The discs represent the dots above the ‘i’s in Christiania. According to urban legend the col-ours were chosen because when the original squatters took over the former military base, they found a large amount of red and yellow paint.

Consists of some 300 structures, including a number of listed buildings

Established in 1971 by squatters. Semi-autonomous status has since been recognised by various acts of parliament

Best known for its open air cannabis market, ‘Pusher Street’. Tolerated until 2004 when national government began effort to “normal-ise” the area

Also famous locally for Christiania Bikes (three wheeled transport bikes popular with families)

Was Execution site of 29 Nazi collaborators between 1946 and 1950.

FaCtFile - ChriStiania

17


18

Culinary specialties make diving into Danish cuisine worthwhile. By Lea Sibbel

FEAsTing wiThThE vikings

When foreigners set foot in Denmark for the first time, they probably expect to find tall, rough guys with long beards and light-coloured hair that blows in the brisk

Nordic wind.

In short: the visitor anticipates descendents of the Vikings.

In very few cases will that image include the brawny Viking hold-ing in his muscle-bound hands a small piece of bread, tenderly dec-orated with tomato cubes, radish cut into neat shapes and herbs sprinkled precisely on top. But the richly embellished ‘smørrebrød’ (literally, ‘buttered bread’) belongs to Denmark no less than the im-age of the tough Viking.

Smørrebrød is the biggest export hit of the Danish cuisine. “Eve-rything you can imagine can be put on smørrebrød: meat, fish, pasty,” explains Charlotte Noer, a Danish cookbook author. “The most popular version is served with ‘leverpostej’, a rather roughly minced liver sausage.”

Noer, who now lives in Bremen, Germany, learned to cook in a traditional restaurant a few steps from Copenhagen’s historic Ny-havn. “But you don’t only make the smørrebrød yourself and take it to work with you,” she says. “Some restaurants and bars have specialised in serving it spectacularly decorated.”

Gert Hauge’s restaurant does just that. The Dane owns a family business in the heart of Aarhus, the Raadhuus Kafeen. Currently, the most popular smørrebrød comes with herring, freshly caught in Aarhus Harbour.

When the Danish love for their patented sandwich meets the merry drinking behaviour of the Northeners, ‘Smørrebrød-Parties’ occur. “After every bite of smørrebrød you have to drink a shot of Aquavit. This is how we create a reason to toast each other all the time,” laughs Trina Hahnemann about some of her fellow country-men’s customs. The Copenhagen-based chef runs a catering service

and has spoiled members of parliament with her cooking abilities.

Of course, the eating habits of the Danes are not limited to open-faced sandwiches. After a petite afternoon snack with sickly-sweet Danish pastry (‘wienerbrød’), the descendents of the Vikings fire up their stoves to whip up a hearty meal – preferably including pota-toes, the most relied upon ingredient in the Danish cuisine. Served with fried plaice and parsley sauce, the earthy vegetable passes the counter numerous times at the Raadhuus Kafeen.

So does the ‘biksemad’, another classic of Danish cooking. “The biksemad is actually a leftover-dish,” says Noer. “Whatever is kept from the Sunday roast is minced, fried with onions and then eaten with fried potatoes, beetroot and eggs on a slice of rye bread.”

Around Christmas time, or even two months earlier, Danes really start to blossom – especially in the kitchen. “Hygge” meals boost the anticipation for the feast. “Hygge”, probably the most cherished word in the Danish language, roughly translates to cosiness.

During the holiday season, the aromatic smell of “glögg” steams from the cooking pots – spicy wine with raisins and almond pieces pickled in rum. The drink goes with “æbleskiver”: “Directly trans-lated that means apple slices,” Noer explains. “But this pastry nei-ther includes apples nor does it come in the shape of slices, but in small balls. Maybe a new name would be more appropriate,” she adds with a smile.

On Christmas Eve, the table top bends under the weight of pork, beef or duck roast, caramelised potatoes and red cabbage. “The month of December is all about eating,” Hahnemann says.

But other holidays also bring delicacies to light. The Penance day spoils the Danish palate with warm rolls called “hveder”. And around Midsummer, the new potato season begins. For dessert, the sweet tooth is treated to the tongue twister “rødgrød med fløde”, red fruit jelly with whipped cream, topped with fresh strawberries.

In contrast to numerous other countries, Demark is not divided by culinary boundaries. “Differences in eating habits can be found more between the generations, less between the regions”, de-scribes Hahnemann. Or, between other Scandinavian countries: “Denmark is more modern than Sweden or Norway, especially in the rural areas,” she believes.

And with a wink of his eye, Hauge adds: “The Danish cuisine is better – probably because we use a lot more butter and cream.”

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While much of the attention in recent years has been cast on the restaurants making up Copenhagen’s constellation

of Michelin stars, the city is also home to scores of places to eat that suit all budgets and occasions.

Although it’s hard to narrow down the broad selection of restaurants to just a few favourites, we’ve selected eight of the places we find our-selves recommending to friends and family, or where we ourselves head when we’re looking for a special night out or a quick bite to eat.

EXPEnSIVEreinwald’sFarvergade 15, 1463 Cph K; open Mon-Sat 14:00-24:00 (kitchen closes at 22:00); 3391 8289; www.reinwalds.dk; five-course menu with wine 850kr, other dishes 75-215krServing lunch and dinner, a director’s-script length of choices confronts you at. It’s a who’s who of classic French and French-inspired Danish dishes as well as a monthly set menu. Any chef would be proud of this. SC

restaurant Kiin KiinGuldbergsgade 21, Copenhagen N; 3535 7535; four-course menu 450kr, seven-course 775kr (with wine menu 1450kr); www.kiin.dkThere are only two Thai restaurants in the whole world that have been awarded a Michelin star. One of them is in London, the other one is Kiin Kiin, which you will find in the heart of Nørrebro. And it is well deserved. PDR Kiin Kiin isn’t just a restaurant, it’s an experience, a place where eve-ry little detail is thought through. PDR

MIDDLE-rAngECap Horn

Nyhavn 21, Cph K; open Mon-Fri 10:00-00:00, Sat-Sun 09:00-00:00; 3312 8504; starters from 99kr, main courses from 139kr, desserts from 39kr; see www.caphorn.dk for special eventsNyhavn, the old harbour, is an idyllic area of mag-ic and hygge - what the Danes like to say when referring to anything that is cosy, charming, or de-lightful: all qualities Cap Horn has in abundance. Its simple menu boasts a fine selection of organic, homemade Danish fare, with a touch of seasonal influence. There were too highlights: the veal, pumpkin, mushrooms and potatoes with amazing truffle sauce (a ‘best ever veal experience) and the chocolate cake (‘Oh My God’), whih was pos-sibly the best chocolate cake ever! MM

Saxo CafeHavnegade 31, Cph K (near Nyhavn); sails twice Thu-Sat at 13:00 (lunch ) & 19:00 (dinner); res-ervations 4675 6460 & [email protected]; www.sagaqueen.dk; three-course set menus (for groups of at least 10 diners), lunch 275kr, dinner 375krThe city’s only restaurant cruise ship, the Saga Queen is an unique dining experience. Sailing up and down the harbour, it offers a two-hour lunch cruise and a three-hour dinner cruise onboard a 50-metre ship. Every table has a wonderful win-dow view, and a choice of set menus, some with as many as seven courses. Sometimes a meal as long as that can feel like an eternity, but on the Saga Queen the time passed by quickly and pleas-urably as we enjoyed a feast for both our eyes and our very satisfied stomachs. JC

BioMioHalmtorvet 19, 1700 Cph V; open daily 12:00-24:00 (later Fri and Sat), kitchen open 12:00-22:00; 3331 2000; starters 75kr, mains 135kr; www.biomio.dk

Located in an old warehouse next to trendy Kød-byen, Bio Mio is certainly unusual for conserva-tive Copenhagen. It’s stylish without being pre-tentious, fast enough that they don’t go crazy waiting for food, and loud enough that they can make a racket without anyone raising an eyebrow. And, of course, the food won’t poison them. JH

CHEAP MagasasaIstedgade 4, 1650 Cph V; open Mon-Sun 11:00-23:00; 3323 8088, www.magasasa.dk; main courses: 50 -120kr, Tsing-tao beer 28krMy neighbour, Fang Wang, moved to Denmark from Beijing four years ago, and says this restau-rant Magasasa changed her life. She eats there almost once a week, as do all of her Chinese friends. And it’s not just authentic, it’s cheap. Politiken recently rated the food as nothing spe-cial and are still dealing with the comments from irate fans. Let’s face it, this city just doesn’t know what authentic Chinese food is. AK

Kates JointBlågårdsgade 12, 2200 Cph N; Open Mon-Sun 17:30-22:00; 3537 4496There’s plenty to choose from on its sturdy world food menu - a backpacker’s culinary highlights from a round world trip. Starters cost an average 25kr and most main courses are under 100. The portions are big and it has a wide selection of veg-gie dishes. So if you enjoy good food, a friendly vibe and a wallet full of money after paying your bill, this is the place for a bohemian night out. KMcK

DAnISHD’godtKronborggade 3, 2200 Cph N; Open Tue-Sun 11:00-13:00 for lunch, 16:00-20:00 for dinner; 3214 9090It is not so common to see a brand new restaurant going Danish traditional, but D’Godt has and is ex-cellent value - none of the main courses cost over 109 kroner - and is a very good place to get an introduction to Danish food and to enjoy the com-forts of dishes near and dear. ‘My grandmother used to make it!’, my partner said, telling me how the restaurant reminded her of meals growing up. And while D’Godt is most certainly not trendy, and because of this, in a rather interesting way, it actually is. SP

Saga QueenHavnegade 31, Cph K (near Nyhavn); sails twice Thu-Sat at 13:00 (lunch ) & 19:00 (dinner); res-ervations 4675 6460 & [email protected]; www.sagaqueen.dk; three-course set menus (for groups of at least 10 diners), lunch 275kr, dinner 375kr The city’s only restaurant cruise ship, the Saga Queen is an unique dining experience. Sailing up and down the harbour, it offers a two-hour lunch cruise and a three-hour dinner cruise onboard a 50-metre ship. Every table has a wonderful win-dow view, and a choice of set menus, some with as many as seven courses. Sometimes a meal as long as that can feel like an eternity, but on the Saga Queen the time passed by quickly and pleas-urably as we enjoyed a feast for both our eyes and our very satisfied stomachs. JC

More restaurant reviews available each week in the The Copenhagen Post In & Out guide, and online at cphpost.dk.


whErE TO wOrship

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it may be an advantage to be a foreigner in Denmark when looking for religious services. There are several to choose from and although they do not all have their own official buildings to meet in they still offer a range of services, support and weekly events. The Danish people them-selves are not religious, and less than two percent of the population attends church regularly. i have yet to meet one of them. some Danes become visibly nervous in the company of religious people, as it is far outside their personal range of experiences. in the rest of the foreign community however, a broad range of denominations and ecumenical organisations hold sunday worship in English, the Jewish shabbat on saturday, Friday prayers for muslims, and temple services for Buddists and hindus.

CHrISTIAnITySt Albans Anglican ChurchChurchillparken 6; 1263 Cph K; Services: Sun, Wed 10:30; Vestry Tel: 3311 8518; www.st-albans.dk St Albans has the distinction of being the only Anglican church in Denmark, and offers services in the Anglican/Episcopalian tradition. During the week the church holds Holy Communion on Wednesday

mornings, as well as various lec-tures and programmes about life with faith and theology. The church is spectacularly non-Danish in style, built in 1885 with a tall spire using grey stone instead of red brick or white-wash in a square shape. Its distinctive appearance has re-sulted in its common nickname “the English church”, but in fact the congregation has over 20

nationalities. The church is a part of the Church of England´s Dio-cese in Europe under bishop Reverend Dr Geoffrey Rowell, and is a member of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

COPEnHAgEn CHrISTIAn CEnTrEKøbenhavns KulturCentre; Drejervej 11-21; 2400 Cph NV; Sunday service 13:30, last Sunday of the month: 10:30; Tel: 3531 0010; www.copenhagenchristiancentre.dkAlthough this Christian organisation does not meet in a church, the range of nationalities and enthusiasm of its members more than make up for the lack of a traditional bell tower. In addition to its multinational services, the group hosts prayer meetings, bible dis-cussion groups and children’s activities during the week. In addi-tion to presenting detailed information about all of the events and services, outlining their inclusive religious philosophy, the centre’s website also offers video and audio recordings of past sermons and contemporary Christian music. On the last Sunday of the month, the centre hosts a long service with their Spanish, Filipino, Danish and English congregation, starting at 10:30.

InTErnATIOnAL CHurCH Of COPEnHAgEnSt Andreas Church, Gothersgade 148; 1123 Cph K; Sunday Worship 11:30; ICC Church House; Gjør-lingsvej 10, 2900 Hellerup; Tel: 3962 4785; www.internationalchurch.dkThe International Church of Copenhagen is an ecumenical ministry and is open to many different Christian faiths. Their serv-ices follow the traditions of the Evangeli-cal Lutheran Church in America, working together with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denmark. During the week the

Church’s prayer and bible study meetings are held in the suburb of Hellerup at the organistion’s Church House, which also functions as their parsonage for the pastor and his family. On Sundays, a Bible study session begins at 10:15 at St Andreas Church, with the wor-ship service following at 11:30, and a nursery available for children during the service.

COPEnHAgEn COMMunITy CHurCHCopenhagen Conference Centre; Nørre Farimagsgade 45; 1364 Cph K; Sunday service 11:00; Tel: 5155 5376; www.ccchurch.dkThe Copenhagen Community Church is a multi-faith organisation that meets in the centre of town for a worship service followed by presentations from church leaders and readings from church members. The atmosphere is more informal and popular with stu-dents and tourists. The church describes itself as a local ecumenical fellowship, emphasizing a friendly and open style of prayer with contributions from the congregation. The church is a member of Newfrontiers, an international group of around 700 churches work-ing to bring fresh, modern expression into faith.

LIVIng CHurCHFemagervej 39; 2650 Hvidovre; Sunday service 12:00; Tel: 3296 4193; www.levendekirke.dk/enThis church is part of the Church of the Living God, which empha-sises the style of worship popular at the beginning of Christianity and the time of the Apostles. Letters from the Apostle Paul describe enthusiastic all-night prayer meetings and a fellowship embedded in the community, helping as many groups of disadvantaged people as possible. The Living Church aims to continue this tradition today, and their website details their donation programs for children in Calcutta and the homeless in Denmark. On Sundays prayer meet-ings begin at 11:30, and everyone is welcome to come pray silently or aloud, and the worship service begins at 12:00. Mainly English and Danish gospel songs are sung during the service, and there

By Alexis Kunsak


are other activities provided for children during the sermon. After service events and lunches are included in the online calendar, but generally coffee and snacks are served afterwards for those who would like to stay and talk.

JuDAISMCopenhagen Synagogue; Krystalgade 12, 1172 Cph K; Shabbat, Saturday 9:00; Tel: 3312 8868; www.mosaiske.dkCopenhagen’s oldest synagogue and headquarters of Det Mosaiske Troessamfund, the largest Jewish Society in Denmark, was built in 1833 in a classical style with motifs inspired by Ancient Egyptian art. Currently the building is undergoing a major renovation and is only open for services on Saturday mornings from around 9:00 to 12:00. Both Jews and Gentiles are welcome to visit the building, but need to have photo identification and cannot bring large bags due to security concerns.

Shir Hatzafon; Shabbat Service Saturdays 10:00; Dag Hammar-skjölds Allé 30, 2100 Cph Ø; Tel: 2370 9757; www.shirhatzafon.dkShir Hatzafon, or “Song of the North”, follows a progressive style of worship and has formed a Jewish community in Copenhagen over the last 13 years. The group celebrates the holidays with traditional foods and prayers, as well as holding study groups during the week. Shabbat services are regularly led by guest rabbis and followed by Kiddush and a pot-luck lunch, where guests are asked to bring a dish. Services are held in a Unitarian meeting room in Østerbro, whereas other event locations are listed in the calendar on the or-ganisation’s website.

ISLAMNusrat Djahan Moské, Eriksminde Allé 2, 2650 Hvidovre, Friday prayer 1:30; Tel: 3675 3502 and 3675 7869.Northern Europe’s first mosque was designed by the Muslim engineer John Zach-ariassen, and built in 1966. It was named after the wife of

the founder of the Ahmadiyya movement, which began in 1956 in Denmark. Its copper dome has five pillars, and was initially covered with blue mosaic tiles. Friday prayers take place each week at 1:30, but anyone may visit the mosque by appointment.

Al-Tauba Mosque; Vesterbrogade 80; 1620 Cph V; Tel: 3121 1896; www.wakf.comMevlana Moske; Ishøj Kulturhus; Industriskellet 4, 2635 Ishøj; Tel: 2068 6169; www.mevlanamoske.dk

Muslims in Copenhagen may soon have two mosques in the city, af-ter the approval of two plans by the local government in February. At the moment, however most services take place in various culture centres and meeting rooms around the city. The Islamic Community website has more details, although most of the listings are avail-able in Danish and Arabic. The Mevlana Moske lists information for guests in Turkish on their website and instructions for guests.

BuDDHISMBuddhistisk Centre København; Svanemøllevej 56; 2100 Cph Ø; Tel: 3929 2711; www.buddha-kbh.dkThe centre emphasises a spiritual path after the Tibetan model, and offers classes on meditation, guidance, and religion. Events that are held in English are marked on the organisation’s calendar. The centre was founded in Copenhagen in 1972 by a Danish couple who had received their instruction in Tibet and then returned to Denmark.

Templet Lieu Quan; Langagervej 54; 2500 Valby; Meetings Saturday 12:00-4:00Contact: Doan Thi Doan-Trang, The Vietnamese Buddhist Association, Skolevej 52, 2630 Tåstrup; Tel: 4352 0812.This temple is a centre of worship and celebration for Buddhists fol-lowing Vietnamese religious traditions. Services are held on Satur-days and attract anywhere from 30 to 100 people, as well as festival events where 150 people may show up. There is room in the tem-ple for overnight guests such as ordained monks, in addition to a

kitchen, several classrooms and a meditation hall. The Vietnamese Buddhist Association also sponsors language classes in the temple for children and adults.

HInDuISMHare Krishna Tempel; Skjulhøj Allé 44, 2720 Vanløse; Services Sun-day 3:00; Tel: 4828 6446; www.krishna.dk, www.harekrishna.dkHinduism is a diverse family of devotional and philosophical schools, but the Krishna school and headquarters of ISKCON, or the International Society for Krishna consciousness, in Denmark are located in Vanløse. Each Sunday the temple holds a festival of religious celebration, and during the week there is a program of classes, lectures and prayers.

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DirECTOry 2011gEnErAL InfOrMATIOnDenmark’s official information website - www.denmark.dk

Official Copenhagen Tourist site - www.visitcopenhagen.dk

City of Copenhagen information - www.kk.dk/ThinkinCPH

Weather - www.dmi.dk

Postal service - www.postdanmark.dk

TrAVELRejseplanen (super handy journey planner in English) - www.rejseplanen.dkDanish Cyclists Federation - www.dcf.dkCopenhagen airport - www.cph.dk

TAXI COMPAnIESDantaxi 70 25 25 25 - www.dantaxi.dk

BIKE rEnTALwww.cykelboersen.dk

HEALTHHospitals in the Greater Copenhagen areaRigshospitalet (Copenhagen)Gentofte Hospital24-hour doctor - 70 13 00 41 - www.laegevagten.dk

24-HOur PHArMACySteno ApotekVesterbrogade 6C, CPH V33 14 82 66www.stenoapotek.dk

BAnKSJyske Bank - www.jyskebank.dkDanske Bank - www.danskebank.dkNordea - www.nordea.dkArbejdernes Landsbank - www.al-bank.dk

SHOPPIng MALLSCity2 (Høje Tåstrup) - www.city2.dkWaterfront Shopping (Hellerup) - www.waterfront-shopping.dkFields (Amager, largest mall in Scandinavia) - www.fields.dkFisketorvet (Vesterbro) - www.fisketorvet.dkFrederiksberg Centret - www.frederiksberg-centret.dkLyngby Storcenter (Kongens Lyngby) - www.lyngbystorcenter.dkRødovre Centrum (Rødovre) - www.roedovrecentrum.dkWaves (Hundige) - www.waves-shopping.dk

InTErnATIOnAL SCHOOLSCopenhagen International School (CIS) - www.cis-edu.dkRygaards School - www.rygaards.comHørsholm International School (HIS) - www.ngg.dkBjørns International School - www.b-i-s.dk

Østerbro International School - www.oeis.dkBernadotteskolen - www.bernadotteskolen.dkSankt Petri (German) - www.sanktpetriskole.dkPrins Henrik (French) - www.prinshenriksskole.dk

fITnESS CEnTrESCharlottehaven - www.charlottehaven.dkWellcome Fitness - www.well-come.dkFitness DK - www.fitnessdk.dkDGI Byen - www.dgi-byen.dk/idraet

HOuSES Of WOrSHIPFredens Kirke (International Christian Community) - www.getintouch.dkSt Alban’s Church (Anglican) - www.st-albans.dkSakramentskirken (Roman Catholic) - www.sakramentskirken.dkThe International Church of Copenhagen -www.internationalchurch.dkCopenhagen Community Church - www.ccchurch.dkLiving Church - www.levendekirke.dk/EnglishGerman-French Reform church - www.franskreformertkirke.dkRussian Orthodox Church - Bredgade 53, 1260 CPH K; (33136046)Synagogue - www.mosaiske.dkHindu temple - www.indiansindenmark.comIslamic Culture Centre - Horsebakken 2, 2400 CPH NV (38 80 03 86)

InTErnATIOnAL CLuBSAmerican Women’s Club in Denmark - www.awcdenmark.orgALLCANUCK (Canadians in Denmark) - www.allcanuck.comExpat in Denmark - www.expatindenmark.comThe International Women’s Club of Copenhagen - www.iwcc.dkLadies’ International Network København (LINK) -www.linkdenmark.comLife in Denmark - www.lifein.dkNZVikings - www.nzvikings.dkThe Southern Cross Club (Aussie/Kiwi club) - www.southerncrossclub.dk

SPOrTS CLuBSCopenhagen Exiles Rugby Club - www.exiles.dkCopenhagen Celtic Football Club - [email protected] Football Club - www.daff.dkCopenhagen Golf Club - www.kgkgolf.dkCopenhagen Netball Club - www.netball.dkKøbenhavns Hockey Klub - www.kh-hockey.dk

PETSCity Dyreklinik (vet) - www.citydyreklinik.dkDyreklinikken Ryesgade 100 (vet) - www.dyreklinikken-ryesgade.dkAsserholm (English-speaking kennel in the countryside) - www.asserholm.dkThe Dansk Kennel Klub - www.dansk-kennel-klub.dkCopenhagen cat sitters - www.kattevenner.dkRegulations for travelling with pets - www.uk.foedevarestyrelsen.dk

PET SuPPLIESMaxi Zoo - www.maxizoo.dkZooZity - www.zoozity.dkOliver’s Petfood - www.olivers.dk


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Find more travel info at intl.m.dk

SHOPPING. DINING.

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METRO.

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TimetableThe Metro operates 24 hours aday, all week. Trains leave every2-6 minutes during the day andevery 8-20 minutes at night.

AirportThe Metro runs to and fromCopenhagen Airport. The trip fromthe City Centre takes 14 minutes.

TicketsYou can purchase tickets from theMetro ticket machines located at

all Metro stations. Ticket pricesvary depending on the numberof zones you travel. Valid for one or two hours.

10-clip card – Same as tickets, but with up to a 40% discount.Remember to stamp the card atthe start of your journey.

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relocation guide spring 2011

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