Everyone's Blog Posts - The Copenhagen Voice

Chris Speed's Iffy - Gina - Shapeshifter Lab, NYC 4-12-2013

2013-05-09T15:40:38.000Z

Global Minded Danes Choose Expats at Internations Event

2013-04-24T15:30:00.000Z

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you quit your day job and pursued your dreams? Well, that is exactly what InterNations co-founder Malte Zeeck did about five years ago. He quit his job as a journalist for a leading media company in Germany, and began brainstorming how to create a company that would help expats in their host countries. During his time as a journalist, Malte traveled to other countries to cover stories. While in these host countries, Malte remembers feeling estranged from the host country; not knowing where things were, not fully understanding the local systems, and more importantly, not feeling connected to anyone. Most people can identify with these feelings of isolation and confusion while in a new country whether it be permanent or just a visiting situation. Most dreams begin with a thought and a passion to create something, and this is how the birth of InterNations was formed.

Image Right: Malte Zeeck standing top of stairs in Marriott Hotel lobby with InterNations members below. Photo by Pamela Juhl

On a typical rainy Danish day in April, at the swanky Marriott Hotel, about two hundred expats joined together at an Internations Meet Up . With a glamorous welcome drink in hand, these expats had a chance to meet and mingle and thank one of the men behind the creation of Internations, Malte Zeeck. InterNations was founded in 2007 by Malte and his partners, Christian Leifeld and Philipp von Plato, and today is one of the most well known networks for expats. InterNations has a membership well over tens of thousands and they reach across borders in more than 100 countries around the world – ranging from Kasakhstan to the USA. Nearly everywhere in the world and in most cities, you can find and connect to an Internations member network. Their website is designed to help expats – understanding the ins and outs of a host country and city. An InterNations magazine touches on important issues like moving, living, & working abroad as well as helping people with intercultural communication and the infamous cultural shock.

There are some perks to joining this network, and one is their “The Activity Group”. Here members, who share similar interests, can organize activities and come together. These activities range from cooking, photography, site seeing, to tours around the host city.

What The Copenhagen Voice noticed at this particular InterNations event was just how friendly the atmosphere was. The level of chatter and conversation was bouncing off the high ceilings and anyone viewing this scene at the entrance of The Marriott Hotel clearly could see something hot was going on. The minute you walked in, despite whether or not you were a shy person, people simply approached you with ease. Other InterNations members immediately could see from your name tag what country you were from, and from there a friendly inquisitive spark of a conversation would unfold. You immediately felt welcome, and if you are not in the mood to socialize, this is certainly not the place for you. Global minded members come there to converse, share host country stories and network. Be it for business, play or pleasure – the mood is casual with a flair of professionalism. InterNations members seized the moments to converse about present or future jobs, Danish cultural issues, Danish weather, and various people they have met and places they have been in Denmark. One ear dropping topic, be it brief or extended, was the airing of expat frustrations about their host country. It became obvious, early on in the night, that expats really do need a safe place to vent their differences with their host country. Some conversations seemed a bit like Dane Bashing, however, one needs to look deeper into just what is going on. These expats were able to release their frustrations with others who could relate to their issues. This could be seen as a positive thing – lending to an increase of understanding, empathy and support to those who feel isolated and estranged from the Danish culture and society.

Image Right: Marriott Hotel Lobby filled with InterNations members. Photo by Pamela Juhl

According to InterNations, more than 85% of their members have a university degree, 91% speak at least two languages, and 70% have already lived in two different counties. This eclectic group of InterNations members, ranges from diplomats and intergovernmental employees, media and correspondents to those in the private sector. With a ratio of men to women at 51% to 49%, there is an element of socializing with a purpose of dating and a “hooking up”.

InterNations strives to maintain a expat-to-local ratio of 70% to 30%. In other words, locals from the host countries are also welcome. At this particular event, one Dane was spotted, and spoke to The Copenhagen Voice. This Danish member was asked why they would want to hang out with expats. Her response was more than interesting. She said that she had traveled outside of Denmark for many years, and upon returning to Denmark she felt that she no longer could relate to the Danish mentality. She felt that most Danes had a narrow minded perspective on anything that was different from the Danish culture and society. Once she connected to InterNations, her world opened up again, and she had access to diverse and kind foreigners within her own country. She even mentioned that once a month she hosted a dinner in her home for her friends from InterNations. What impressed The Copenhagen Voice the most was that she found some of her dearest friends through InterNations.

A striking truth about foreigners living here in Denmark for many years, is that many still don't feel like this place is their home. They crave variety and cultural diversity, and often feel ostracized from the Danes. Many members, at this event, shared that they feel they are not welcomed into the Danish society, and often struggle with isolation and loneliness. InterNations sets its goals high to counter balance these trials and tribulation of expats. With an effective and informative website, InterNations infiltrates countries, sets up dynamic expat platforms, and connects those with a “Global Mind”. Providing expats with this kind of support and connection perhaps is the key to increasing integration, and knowing that there are about 30% locals who are members – lends hope that not all Danes want to remain within the confines of 100% Danish mentality and cultural ways. So, next time you want to meet a Dane with a global mind set or expats, think about joining InterNations. There is no doubt that one may feel like they have found a little private Idaho inside their host country. A place where they will not feel judged, can express themselves according to their own cultural norms, and can share their experiences about their host counties knowing that others who are listening will understand.

http://www.internations.org/

Interview with Malte Zeeck by Pamela Juhl - The Copenhagen Voice

Speech by Malte Zeeck saying hello to InterNations members at The Marriott Hotel

By Cristina Mucilianu and Pamela Juhl

Syrian Artists Flee their Homeland for fear of Prosecution by Cristina Mucilianu

2013-04-19T11:00:00.000Z

Artwork (left) Ali Ferzat, 1951 Hama, Syria. One of Syria's most famous artists is quoted as saying about his work, " contemporary ideals of freedom, democracy, love and peace...pitted against contemporary evils: injustice, repression, dictatorship, terrorism, environmental degradation, and corruption."

21st of March, a typical cold and snowy day in Copenhagen, but people still manage to find something to sink their teeth into. A crowd of people gathered at the Round Tower - with one thing in common, a desire to see inside the hearts and minds of they Syrian people and their conflict. This exhibition named, “Syria’s Art of Resistance: Continuing Traditions of Satire, Art and The Struggle for Freedom”, hung on perfectly white walls, and was surrounded by your typical scandinavian modern decor - and in the center of the room a long table of refreshments for guests was waiting.

The symposium started at 13:00 in a relaxed yet serious atmosphere, Syrian artists and international specialists gathered together covering academic lectures, artist talks, poetry readings, and a music performance with visual graphics. Open to anyone, the symposium’s debates highlighted the activism and uprising in art, along with new media which became widely accessed and familiar to many contemporary artists. They used social media as a weapon and tool to reach out across borders.

Many cruel episodes experienced by Syrians were discussed, as well as the Syrian culture which has suffered immensely from this conflict and dictatorship for 40 years. Everyone in the room was paying attention to every aspect outlined, feeling worried by their harmful situation or the insecurity and instability offered by their government.

The presented resistance artwork is dominated by shock, terror, and violence. “It isn’t people standing up to the regime, it is a revolution with many aspects: an artistic revolution and a social one,” – said Khahil Younes, a Syrian painter, illustrator and video artist. I was well impressed by his series called “Revolution 2011” inspired by a range of violent episodes from Syrians lives, transposed through bright colors on canvas. Some of his amazing work was bought at exhibitions for Syrian humanitarian relief in the Middle East, and others went viral through different channels of social media.

The “glorious regime” that was well promoted through national media channels, didn’t influence all the people's perception of this conflict and many have remained permanently disgruntled with the ongoing conflicts in Syria. With this in mind, art is a well known venue for the release and transfer of anger and frustration concerning the regime. The many avenues of art are cartoons, video, paintings, sculptures, installations and digital photography. Despite some exposure in media with exhibitions around Europe, most of this Syrian artwork still remains unknown. These Syrian artists, some still inside the borders of Syria and others who have fled to other countries, are faced with death and violence should they talk about Syrian politics in public or private. Many have been subjected to death threats even threats to family members still residing inside Syria.

The fact that these artists' lives are at risk due to their political art, has led to the increase of understanding of just how serious the situation is in Syria for those opposed to the government. It has been a somewhat double sided sword that has benefitted the regime in succeeding and humiliating the Syrian government through the channel of non-violence art , and it has added credence to the plight of its people. Unfortunately, with a high price to pay – the threat of retaliation through violence and abuse if caught and questioned – the artist and their family members who are connected to this type of art are faced with prosecution.

In 2011, protests started taking place in every Syrian city, thousands of people were faced with violent military suppression and incarceration because they wanted the resignation of President Bashar al-Assad. More than 60.000 people are estimated to have died since the Uprising against Mr. Assad's government began in March 2011, and the death toll "is probably now approaching 70,000", stated the U.N. Human Rights Chief Navi Pillay in an opening speech to a U.N. Security Council meeting on the protection of civilians in armed conflict.

Artwork (right)

Wissam Al Jazairy

1990, Damascus, Syria. "Autumn wait in my country", 2012

This uprising has also been highly profiled on social media platforms such as Youtube, Twitter and Facebook – an 'in your face' new form of communication via internet. The type of images and videos coming out of Syria are what one would consider violations of human rights, and inhumane violent atrocities committed towards its people. Such graphic depictions of Syrians being beaten and tortured are posted daily on the internet, stirring up international interest in the conflict and violence against people. Syria is not the first country to use social media to get their voices out.

"For the legions of critics who had previously dismissed platforms like Facebook and Twitter as vapid troughs of celebrity gossip and self-aggrandizement, the toppling of regimes in Tunisia and Egypt suggested that these tools were as effective for organizing protests and revolutions as they were for organizing keg parties. The movements throughout the Arab world appeared to have imbued social media with an irrevocable sense of legitimacy as a tool for fomenting change" according to the Huffingtonpost, which also highlights the importance of social media nowadays through an extraordinary example : " Andy Carvin, NPR's social media maven who through a single Twitter account -- his own -- managed to produce superior coverage of the Arab revolutions than any of the mainstream media outlets".

Even though we are all living in the 21st century, there still remains millions of people globally who do not have basic freedoms – such rights like freedom of speech and liberty, and people who are restricted under oppressive governments which inflict torture and imprisonment and sometimes death upon anyone speaking out against its leaders and means of governing a nation.

This Syrian art symposium showcased in Copenhagen – depicts the voice of a suppressed people in Syria, and can be seen as a tool to educate the public on the true nature of the Syrian conflict through the artistic talents of its people. However, will it really be effective in creating and bringing about positive change for the Syrian people? It's important to understand not only the true nature of the conflict through the voice of the people, but to fully investigate the whole political situation surrounding Syria – looking deeper into who is involved in this conflict and why – are there other governments such as the US who are involved with this conflict and why? It's only until all the elements of this conflict are on the table that we can truly begin to see why this uprising in going on. For example, according to BBC, April 17^th, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22193054, Bashar al-Assad says, West will `Pay Price`- “Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said the West will pay a high price for what he described as its support for al-Qaeda in his country's conflict”, and "The West has paid heavily for funding al-Qaeda in its early stages. Today it is doing the same in Syria, Libya and other places, and will pay a heavy price in the heart of Europe and the United States," Mr Assad said.

So, critical minds need to continue to decipher for themselves the truth – it's like putting together a puzzle maze – where one has to start with the history and relationship of these nations, going back at least 50 years – and even then, the matrix of political agendas and global government alliances still remain scrambled to the average media viewer.

Perhaps with the emergence of social media placing disheartening images and videos in the faces and fingertips of the masses via the internet, one might become inspired to ask themselves who is running the show on the internet and social media? And what information is real, what information is placed where at that time in that manner, and for what purpose? There is no doubt that with the onset of viral social media platforms, the public now has access to information in other parts of the world – and it's imperative that the public can hear the voices of the suppressed. However, history reveals that all information can be manipulated for another purpose, and at some point, we need to ask ourselves – for what purpose is that and why? – Why the Arab Spring Uprisings? Why now? Who is behind this, and who is orchestrating this? Who are the key players, and what is their agenda and for what gain? - Critical thinking of the information being flooded on the internet and main stream media news is an essential piece to the puzzle.

Nothing new is happening in Syrian that has not happened all over the world at some point – the public and its people getting caught in the cross fires of political agendas and conflicts. It is important that people have an outlet of expression, be it with a voice or a pen or a paint brush, but what are the real issues at hand? This is what we need to be asking ourselves. With globalization rising to a level where everyone can be effected by all actions across the world, the time is now to see and hear the words of the suppressed, and then take the time to dig into the matrix of complex political agendas and alliances. These art images should inspire us to look deeper and, in effect, move forward to contribute to some course of peaceful action to end these atrocities against people. We have no truly effective power, even with social media, to influence and create positive change for a suppressed population, unless we educate ourselves on the real game at hand and learn all the players.

Syria Exhibition information:

CKU - Center for Kultur og Udvikling

http://www.cku.dk/kalender_events/syrias-art-of-resistance/

March 21st to May 12th

EXHIBITION:

It was this outpouring from every level of society and this wealth of creative expressions that made this uprising unique among the countries of the Arab Spring, and it continues to do so despite ever increasing repression. The exhibition presents works ranging from the internationally renowned caricaturist Ali Ferzat, whose drawings led to a violent attack by the regime, breaking his hands – to the younger generation expressing themselves through films, street art, posters and music. Curators: Malu Halasa, Aram Tahhan, Leen Zyiad and Donatella Della Ratta

SYMPOSIUM:

Syrian Artists Flee their Homeland for fear of Prosecution

2013-04-19T10:00:00.000Z

Artwork (right)

Wissam Al Jazairy

1990, Damascus, Syria. "Autumn wait in my country", 2012

Syria Exhibition information:

CKU - Center for Kultur og Udvikling

http://www.cku.dk/kalender_events/syrias-art-of-resistance/

March 21st to May 12th

EXHIBITION:

Survey Shows Danes Must Be Nicer To Foreingers – Their Welfare Depends On It

2013-04-09T11:00:00.000Z

By Adam Horatio Trimboli

Only every tenth highly-educated foreigner considers their Danish colleagues to be “very open,” a new poll shows.

According to business community analyst, Danes need to give themselves a good talking to and open up to highly educated foreigners, otherwise they will simply relocate somewhere else -- a factor that could, in the end, negatively impact Danish welfare. This is the conclusion of a new Dansk Ehverv (Danish Business) report that polled nearly 600 expats. According to the survey, only every tenth foreigner consider their Danish colleagues to be “open” or “very open, “ while every fourth non-Dane thinks Danes “very reserved.” According to researcher, Henrik Schack Linnemann, Danish people are quite capable of having a quick chat by the coffee machine, but socializing after work is out of the question and this could become a serious national problem as studies show that Denmark needs 15,000 highly educated foreigners in order to keep its pricy welfare model afloat in the years ahead.

Tine Horwitz of the Consortium For Global Talent, that cooperates with 18 of the largest companies in Denmark, certainly recognizes the problem. “Danes are good at networking with each other, but rarely good at networking with foreigners. In reality, I actually think that Danes are negatively polite – and by that I mean, they think that people are capable of looking after themselves.”

Lene Otto, a researcher in ethnology at Copenhagen University says that the feelings of rejection often experienced by foreigners are, in reality, often based on simple cultural differences.

Unlike foreigners, who expect a certain level of overlap between their work and private lives Danes believe in sharper lines of demarcation.

“Danes are much more oriented towards their family and they guard their private lives extremely jealously,” she said.

George Mihalache - Gypsy Music in Copenhagen

2013-04-08T14:30:00.000Z

Image left: George Mihalache beside his main instrument, the cimbalom.

Traditional Gypsy music flourishes today despite history of Slavery and Supression

George Mihalache shares with CPHVOICE a bit about his life in Romania, his music, and migration to Denmark. "Denmark is my home now".

Slavery in the middle ages:

The Roma are an interconnected ethnic and cultural group of nomads that migrated out of north India more than ten centuries ago.

For five hundred years they were slaves in Wallachia and Moldavia (which are now part of Romania) and were liberated only as recently as 1856. Even though their treatment in Eastern Europe was abominable, during that same time period in Western Europe, the flogging, branding, and in some cases hanging of Roma was encouraged.

World War II:

Possibly as many as a million Gypsies were murdered in the holocaust.

Today they live with continued harassment and marginalization in Eastern and Western Europe.

Under the communist regime:

During the communist period the Gypsies

in Romania were denied the status of ethnic minority. For three decades, until the mid-seventies, the communist regime had little, if any, interest in this population.

As for the relations between the Gypsies and the authorities, both the policy of the State and the attitude of society was that of cultural and ethnic assimilation of the Gypsies. It was considered that they could be "civilized" only if they denied their cultural patrimony and turned "Romanians". With this in mind many Gypsies fully integrated into the non-Gypsy society, and some of them even at the cost of losing their ethnic identity¹.

Over the centuries the Roma have managed to survive on their wits and their skills like horse trading, metal working, fortune telling, begging, and of course music are some of the traditional livelihoods of the various groups. They have adapted their skills according to the times, and those groups that were once horse-traders are likely to be car salesmen now.

Today, hardly any Roma is nomadic, and in the United States there is a sophisticated network of territories, and a good percentage of middle-class Roma. The situation in Europe however, remains grim, with most Roma living well below the poverty line, particularly in Eastern Europe where the traumatized economies promote old prejudices.

Romani music / Gypsy music:

Roma are perhaps best known for their musical contributions. Some of the famous Gypsy musicians are: Django Reinhardt, Gipsy Kings, Camaròn de la Isla, Esma Redzepova, Ivo Papasov, Yiorgos Manga and Musafir.

Romani music characteristically has vocals that tend to be soulful and declamatory, and the music often incorporates prominent slides between notes. Instrumentation varies widely according to the region the music comes from².

Most Romani music is based on the folk music of the countries where the Romani traveled through or settled. Local music is adopted and performed – usually instrumental – and, slowly, it is transformed into Romani styles, which are usually more complex than the original styles.Romani music has also, greatly influenced the local music areas where they have traveled. Here are a few examples:

Spain:

Flamenco is connected with the Romani people of Spain (Gitanos) and a number of famous flamenco artists are of this ethnicity.

Bulgaria

Due to the large Romani population in Bulgaria, this ethnic group's music is very popular. It is also a part of the roots of Chalga music, which is widely played at dances and parties in Bulgaria.

Romania

The lăutarească Romani music is an important part of the Romanian traditional music. It became very popular in Romania and is promoted mostly by Romani ethnic musicians.

Russia

Gypsy choirs were highly prestigious in Russia during the 19th Century. The best known was the Sokolovsky Gypsy Choir³.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OS9Jx5VdBoI

The Romanian Gypsy musician George Mihalache:

DFMedia met the wonderful Gypsy musician George Mihalache in his home in Kastrup, Copenhagen in March.

Mihalache was born in Bucharest, Romania in 1971. His family carries a 7 generation musical tradition from both sides of his family.

He grew up together with Romanians, and as a Gypsy, he learned early on that it was wise to keep a low profile regarding his identity. If someone asked him personally for more details he presented himself as a Gypsy, but in general, he introduced himself as a Romanian.

Mihalache has learned not to be so concerned with the negative stereotyping of gypsies, and freed him to focus on his music and art.

Taught by his grandfather, Mihalache started to play the piano at the age of 5. He wished to join his father's band who to played every weekend. While the others took their instruments under their arms, he was stuck with the enormous piano that was way too big for him to carry.

Later he changed to cimbalom and also the double bass.

Mihalache explains that in the old days it was easier to make money. Musicians were hired on a regular basis to play in orchestras, restaurants and celebrations. The non-professional musicians played in factories and were hired for cultural arrangements inside the institutions.

In 1994 (age 23), Mihalache arrived to Denmark to perform for the Romanian embassy and that’s where he met his wife to come Susanne and decided to join her in Copenhagen.

Mihalache feels comfortable working with Danish musicians. He admits that when it comes to his music traditional style he has to improvise and compromise sometimes. The real secret is to find the balance were everyone feels comfortable while playing.

He finds living in Denmark very relaxing and easy comparing to Romania. Though he misses Romania often, he feels that Denmark is his home.

Mihalache feels well integrated into the Danish society, especially with some Danish traditions such as drinking a beer directly from a bottle and biting on the Danish complex smørebrød sandwich.

Mihalache tours all over Europe while accompanying different soloists and orchestras with his Cimbalom. In his spare time, he repairs mainly double basses and accordions.

____________

Footnotes

1 http://www2.stevenson.ac.uk/comenius/articles/movement/ro_db/gyp_1e.htm

2 http://www2.stevenson.ac.uk/comenius/articles/movement/ro_db/gyp_1e.htm

3 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romani_music

Please check out my interview with George Mihalache and hear a piece on his Cimbalom:

Gypsy Musicians practicing at home, Serbia

More links that might interest the reader:

About Gypsy music

The Gypsies under the communist regime

With Lelo Nika on You Tube

Morsi’s Egypt Threatened By Total Collapse

2013-04-08T13:00:00.000Z

By Adam H. Trimboli

It is in the interests of the West to give the Muslim Brotherhood the support it needs to survive.

There is no time to waste. Egypt is teetering on the brink of economic collapse and this could throw the country in total disarray unless something is done.

Cairo’s currency reserves are reportedly down to as little as USD 13 billion – only enough cash to cover three months of imports. Gasoline, oil and other crucial fossil fuels are in chronically short supply. Last month five people were shot dead in queues at gas stations.

Millions of small-holders have run out of the gasoline necessary to power their irrigation pumps and in a matter of weeks the wheat harvest looks like leaving crops rotting in the fields unless something is done.

The West, with the US at the fore, must decide whether they are willing to support the Egyptian President, Mohammad Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood, or whether they will let him go down with his ship.

If we consider Morsi to be the least evil option currently available in Egypt, we should step into the dispute between Cairo and the International Monetary Fund and pressure both parties into finding a compromise solution.

Over the last two years, Egypt has attempted to secure a USD 4.8 billion loan from the IMF, but Egypt has, so far, balked at the conditions set by the Fund. Seen in the cold light of day, however, the terms set by the IMF appear reasonable enough. Among other things, the IMF has called for Morsi to terminate state subsidies given on bread and gas prices. At the present time, a loaf of bread only costs the equivalent of 5 Danish øre while gas is set at the tenth of the price that it currently demands in Europe. But, even taking the massive state support into account, Morsi’s approval rating is nose-diving and some commentators fear that unrest could soon spill out onto the streets if he accepts the IMF’s conditions.

Reforms are imperative, and even though Morsi suggested that they be postponed until the fall, Egypt’s 8 million population simply cannot wait any longer. Inflation is currently rife while unemployment is running at nearly 25 percent. Since Morsi took office, two years ago, nearly 4500 factories have closed while the price of imports has skyrocketed and the Egyptian pound been devalued.

Recently, a couple of hundred students studying at the al Azhar University in Cairo were hit by food poisoning. The immediately took to the streets to protest, not against the chef responsible, but Mohammad Morsi – an indicator of how close Egypt is to anarchy.

The army is clearly aware that it is not only the currency reserves that are about to run out, but also Morsi’s popularity. At the moment, he is fighting a war of nerves with the IMF in the hope of achieving better loan conditions. Morsi clearly believes that Egypt is so important to the West that the IMF will, in the end, kow-tow to Egyptian demands.

The problems is that the situation in Egypt could change very quickly. Suddenly, the US could realize that a critical point might have passed and that there is no way back for Egypt as it might be too late to extend a loan.

When the IMF was established in 1945, it was given the directive to loan member countries money, but it clearly also has the option not to.

The IMF and Egypt almost appear like two kids waiting to see who blinks first. They are both playing a very high stakes game. If Egypt does not secure a loan, the results could be disastrous.

There is no reason to believe that Morsi’s societal view will change in the months ahead. Morsi’s censorship are more than reminiscent of the Mubarak regime, and a number of directives making difficult the work of NGOs, do not augur well for the future. Nonetheless, the alternatives to the Muslim Brotherhood on offer, appear to be even worse.

It is in the West’s strategic interest to save Egypt from economic and social collapse. This is also something that ought to be at the forefront of the mind of the IMF.

Egyptian Woman Fight Back with Harassmap App – Sexual Harassment Is A Growing Problem In Egypt

2013-04-08T13:00:00.000Z

By Adam H. Trimboli

Sexual harassment and violent behavior towards women is today, just as big a problem in Egypt as it was before the revolution. But, a grass-roots movement is fighting back against those who would allow degrading treatment of women.

With only enough currency reserves to safeguard imports for the next three months, fuel shortages and major irrigation problems, Egypt appears to be on the verge of both economic and social breakdown. Across the board, the situation is appalling and as societal pressures near boiling point, the very foundations of Egyptian culture is crumbling. Only yesterday, one person was killed and 66 injured as Muslim groups clashed with Coptic Christians in downtown Cairo. Not surprisingly, the status of women has also been impacted by the country’s dismal economic outlook. Throughout the capital, instances of sexual harassment and even physical attacks are on the increase.

The good news, however, is that Egyptian women are fighting back. And through the use of a cell phone-based application called Harassmap, women now have the opportunity not only to highlight sexual abuse but openly expose a wide-range of inappropriate behavior.

The whole thing is the brain-child of a 36-year-old American called Rebecca Chiao. Through her ceaseless advocacy for the rights of women, Chiao, who arrived in Egypt just 5 years ago from Pennsylvania, is today generally recognized as the voice of Egypt’s once silently outraged women.

In recent months Tahrir Square has become notorious as a gang-rape site, where women are threatened with knives, sticks and other weapons.

HarassMap is on the spot, joining other defenders in risking violent reprisals to patrol the increasingly dangerous area.

In the suburb of Heliopolis near Cairo, Harassmap is working to plot the reports that they receive on a daily basis. In addition, they reply to text messages with good advice, the names of expert legal counsel and tips regarding the best way to get the police to take their complaints seriously.

In addition, Harassmap staff work on a local level where they pass out information on sexual harassment an urge people to do what they can to prevent it.

After the revolution and the fall of the Mubarak regime, many people had hoped that the situation would change for the better, but sadly major alterations to the situation on the street have not occurred. From October 2011 to October 2012, Harassmap received as many as 284 reports of abuse.

Harassmap’s goal is to change the reset the mentality of Egyptians, as in former times sexual harassment was the object of public derision.

“If someone stole your bag, you would raise the alarm and people would come over and help you. Nobody would make excuses for the thief’s behavior. That is the way it used to be in Egypt with sexual harassment,” Rebecca Chaio commented.

“In the beginning, the women we talked to tried to play down the problem. But when we showed them our map highlighting instance of harassment, they often changed their tune and admitted that things in their area had gotten really bad.”

The next step for Harassmap is to get people to intervene when they see harassment taking place. Harassmap hopes to establish a network of “harassment free zones” where women know that they are safe. Some of these zones already exist and can be identified by posters indicating zero tolerance for so-called taharosh.

There is a lot to point to the fact that the work of Harassmap and other anti-sexist groups is working. Most recently an Arab language Facebook site has been established called “Reveal He Who Would Harass.” Here, women are encouraged to take a photo of the person guilty of harassing them and post it on the internet. The idea is that men will, hopefully, soon realize that they cannot get away with unacceptable behavior.

According to Rebecca Chaio, grass-roots work on behalf of women is the way forward in a country where the state and the police are failing to live up to their responsibilities by ensuring the safety of their citizens.

State Provided Sexism on Danish National TV - Blachman Naked Silenced Women Program on DR2

2013-04-08T13:00:00.000Z

By Adam H. Trimboli

X-Factor Judge Hit By A Maelstrom Of Criticism For The Show He Considers Dazzling In Its Brilliance.

Rarely, if ever, has a TV show in Denmark created such a stir as X-Factor judge, Thomas Blachman’s new talk show, “Blachman.” If anyone is in doubt, the show, that aired for the first time on DR2 last Tuesday, places a succession of naked and silent women in front Blachman and a studio guest, after which they give their sofa- borne take on the woman’s physical attributes. Blachman thought up the concept himself, saying that his ambition was to stir discussion about the aesthetics of the female body without allowing the conversion to become pornographic or politically correct. As Blachman himself puts it, he wished to “revise women’s view of men’s view of women.”

Even before the show was aired, it received massive media attention. This was closely followed by a maelstrom of criticism from newspaper critics who considered the show both sexist and humiliating for women.

This week has seen a vigorous debate unfold. Opinion-makers, celebrities and commentators have not been slow to share their views on the program. And on Facebook and Twitter, opposition to the show has been furious.

While some are antagonized by the silence of the women, others have, however, found it empowering to see normal women at the center of the media’s focus rather than, impossible to live up to ideals.

The author, Knud Romer, calls the DR program a “Jørgen Leth” (a well-know cycle sport commentator and bon vivant who described having sex with his 16-year-old Haitian housemaid in his book of memoirs). Romer does not think the programs proclaimed intentions of breaking down taboos or challenging stereotypes works. On the contrary, he thinks that DR has produced a show that resembles a claustrophobic strip club which only serves to cement classic concepts of male dominance – something he says we should have been able to consign to the scrap heap of history years ago.

Similarly, opinion-maker and blogger, Lotte Hansen, is merciless in her criticism of Blachman and DR. She calls the show “an unsuccessful attempt to intellectualize the Roskilde County Show – the only difference being that the young fillies on view in Roskilde have been replaced by naked women.”

Hansen, like many others, was particularly disgusted by a sequence in which Blachman comments: “Now, I’ve always been an ass man. Would you mind turning around for a moment? Very animated nipples. How does that pussy work for you?”

Hansen has called for DR to cancel the show before this goes any further and her sentiments were echoed by Martin Lyngbo of Mungo Park Theater. According to Lyngbo, Blachman’s show “institutionalizes already run-of-the-mill malechauvinistic thinking.”

Notwithstanding this, DR producer, Sofia Fromberg, believes the show must go on and does not think that the TV critics should have the final say about what is good for men and women.

She commented: “Here we have a program that reveals what men think about the female body. Quite honestly, what is wrong with that?”

Even though the women on view are not allowed to utter a single word, the viewing public has not remained as silent.

“In all their vulnerability, the women win our respect. The first one simply smiled in an overbearing way while the embarrassed hosts were lost for words. The second woman was stoic and mild in comparison to Jan Søndergaard (the studio guest) and Blachman who seemed to be in a frenzy of excitement.

Thomas Blachman must have been on cloud 9 all last week. At least the heavy criticism does not appear to have dented his fat, fifty-something ego. Commenting on BT’s report from his retreat in New York, Blachman wrote: “Ungratefulness is the only thing that can really wear down the few geniuses who reside in this country. Remember, I am giving you something that you have never seen before. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.”

This coming Tuesday, we will see how much appetite the viewers have for more of Blachman’s controversial cuisine.

Unless otherwise stated, quotes translated from reports Jyllands-Posten.

Russian Center for Culture and Science - An Insight Into Russian Art

2013-04-07T12:00:00.000Z

Representing the Russian Federal authority for CIS relations, rural men abroad and international humanitarian cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo) Russian Center for Science and Culture offers a wide range of activities for its visitors including exhibitions and theatre performances. This center aims to promote Russian culture and Russian language to strengthen the internationalization of the Russian culture.

Located on Vester Volgade 11 in an old building, erected at the end of 19^th century, the Russian Center (more info on Russian Center for Science and Culture) has a wide range of activities to offer people interested in gaining an insight into Russian history and culture. It regularly holds exhibitions, theater performances, film festivals, theme evenings, concerts, lectures. Their main purpose has always been teaching Russian language, having enrolled students of various ages.

On March 27th, The Russian Center for Science and Culture in Copenhagen opened Haik-Abildhauge photo exhibition. The exhibition was held for the first time in St. Petersbourg in June 2012, and then at Red Square in Moscow, as part of the Circle of Light Moscow 2012 Festival.

Kin-Hike Abildhauge ( theartofme) is a young Danish photographer and art director who lives in Russia since 2009. During his time in Moscow and St. Petersbourg, also known as Russia’s cultural capital, and, inspired by Russian people, the young photographer “took photos of 250 Russians between the ages of one to a hundred years old” as part of “100 years - The Russian Portrait” project. This project reveasl an honest portrait of the Russian society, with all its joys, sorrows and hopes; “ the project represents a fun and novel way to see Russia and human development!”

In collaboration with Orenburgs regional art museum and Orenburgske art association "Sjestoj etazh" Russian Center for Culture and Science invites everyone on the 19th of april at 17:30 to see the work of 3 artists born and raised in Orenburgske area, where they studied and started building their careers; nowadays the Orenburgske art school is well known even outside Russia's borders.

Matsu Festival – A Nine Day Pilgrimage into the Mysteries of Taiwan

2013-04-03T19:30:00.000Z

2012 - President Ma Ying-Jeou opens Matsu ceremony inside Jenn Lann Temple - Dajai.

The 330 kilometer pilgrimage to honor the Matsu Chinese Sea Goddess began this month from March 23 to April 1st. More than one million worshipers were expected to participate in the nine day celebration honoring the sacred "Matsu” known as the protector of fishermen.

Inside look into this amazing festival.

The Holy Walk

A thunder of drums at night announce the release of the goddess Matsu at the Jenn Lann Temple. As worshipers wait for the palanquin holding the Matsu Goddess to be released from the temple, tens of thousands gather outside to witness the constant flow of visitors offering their ceremonious forms of entertainment. Shouldered together, drums beat, dancers perform, dragons fly through wild flames, and fireworks continue to break ear drums. Like packed sardines, the Taiwanese somehow manage to create a space where it would seem impossible for people to kneel down and pray in front of the temple.

The true scale of the pilgrimage is enormous. Floats, dragons, martial arts performers, acrobatics, musicians, people in uniforms from schools, community centers, churches, organizations fill the streets in a bull's eye line heading straight for the Temple.

The Sacred Path

The Matsu goddess is carried by the crowd and covers about 330 km through 102 temples and returns to the starting point in the village of Dajai. Along the way the Matsu palanquin enters towns and stops to receive gifts and open arms. A line forms in front of her, and thousands get down on their hands and knees and crawl under the Matsu palanquin. This ceremonial action is believed to give the people Matsu's blessing of luck and good health – their prayers are believed to come true. Pilgrims choose to either walk, use a motorcycle or bike, and many can be seen with only small backpacks and a sleeping bag. Many spend the night on the floor of the temples. The hotels along the pilgrimage path offer people free showers and supply thousands of kilos of food offerings to the pilgrims.

The most interesting aspect to this whole traditional experience, was to witness this through the eyes of a Westerner. It was mouth dropping to seeing massive amounts of volunteers cleaning the streets of the fireworks aftermath only seconds after the Matsu palanquin left the square of Jenn Lann Temple. In America and Denmark, after a festival, the streets could be filled with trash hours and sometimes days after. There were no official clean-up crews, only local volunteers who cleaned the streets after the Matsu presented herself to the public at Jenn Lann Temple Square. Something was also magical in witnessing thousands of people coexisting in the crowded spaces. Inside the temple one could hardly move from one spot to the next. The streets were a contant flow of bodies moving like a stream of fish. And the Jenn Lann Temple Square was so over crowded, one had no choice but to stay in one place for the whole ceremony. Even in the midst of this seemingly chaotic mass of people, the local Taiwanese were extremely humble and respectful of each other's personal space. For a Westerner, it did not seem possible that so many people could nearly be on top of each other – without there being some kind of fight, pushing, or profanities flying in the verbal exchange.

As one panned the crowd, the worshipers, and the public outside the temple, there was no sign of anyone holding a Coke bottle, a Poland Spring water bottle, or any kind of soft drink with a company branding. It seemed like one had walked into a place that was void of the corporation. Almost as if the corporations had missed the boat on tapping into a target group who clearly could have been thirsty while watching hours upon hours of the Matsu performances. Something seemed a bit off for the Westerner who was used to company brands jumping into every corner of our lives from religious holidays to who will be on top – with new Coke 2013 campaigns like ”Vote now to decide who wins” - depicting Arabs, pretty show girls, cowboys and gangsters all chasing a Coke bottle. Where is the Taiwanese or the Asian in the company branding video? There was none. One could assess, perhaps they were not even allowed to be a represented population in the Coke race. See link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uFQAqwbwSg

The Matsu Festival was more than just a religious tradition, it was an inside look into a deeply mystical Southeast Asian culture – one that for many of us, simply have yet to see or truly understand. Despite China's ruling threat over Taiwan, it has managed to become one of Asia's biggest trading nations and is one of the world's top producers of computer technology. Often considered by China to be the ”rebels”, due to Taiwan's so called independence from the China ”mainland” in 1950, Taiwan still battles diplomatic isolation, having no United Nations representation after having lost the seat to China in 1971. China insists that nations cannot have official relations with Taiwan, and despite this political pressure, Washington (US arms sales) is the main weapons supplier to this island.

Despite high tensions between the mainland and the rebels, currently, Taiwan and China maintain healthy trade relations commencing in June 2010 with a signed trade pact. President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Ma Ying-jeou has been largely regarded as the master frontier of stable relations between China and Taiwan.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16164639

http://www.demotix.com/news/1919133/matsu-chinese-sea-goddess-returns-taiwan#media-1919082

Outside Jenn Lann Temple - worshipers wait patiently for the Matsu Goddess to exit the temple and begin her 9 day pilgrimage across Taiwan countryside.

Worshipers praying to Matsu Deity inside Jenn Lann Temple - Dajai.

Trampoline House - A user driven culture center for refugees and asylum policy

2013-03-27T11:00:00.000Z

Located in the heart of Norrebro, Trampoline House provides a place for asylum seekers and other residents of Denmark to meet and discuss relevant issues and policies effecting the daily lives of Copenhagen's inhabitants. Tampoline House's mission is to provide the necessary tools and information for better social integration and legal understanding between Danish citizens and immigrants. Their goal is to also motivate Danes to work with refugees and immigrants to increase cooperation and cultural integration. Diversity and respect is a main theme throughout their concept.

Trampoline House functions a as a non-profit, self–organized, user-driven cultural house. This place acts as one of the few places in Copenhagen where asylum seekers, immigrants, and Danes can come together to work together on shared interests and learn from one another. The idea of Trampoline House was founded in 2009 during a series of workshops titled, “The Asylum Dialogue”(TDA) which gathered journalists, anthropology students, architects, social workers and 20 residents from different Danish asylum centers located on Zealand; together they analyzed the problems of the Danish asylum system and worked diligently to come up with dynamic ways of improving the living conditions for asylum seekers in Denmark.

In October 2010, due to ADT’s large network that gathered more than 65 members and 100 volunteers - Trampoline House was established. In the spring of 2011, it was awarded with the Hal Koch Award, and was also nominated for KPH Awards 2011, while their Creative Coordinator, Morten Goll, was nominated for the Årets Ildsjæl 2011 by the City of Copenhagen.

Now, Trampoline House offers a wide range of activities such as social and legal counseling, lectures and debates, Arabic, Danish, English and French classes, IT course, and much more (info on : http://trampolinehouse.dk) Trampoline House provides access to a Library, Reading Zone, IT Zone, Multi Zone and also to The Kafeen and The Kitchen. The House is opened 5 days a week from Monday to Friday. Mondays only women and children have access. This is a special day which is dedicated to providing support, resources, and activities for women and children who otherwise may feel ostracized from Danish culture. It's a safe haven for these women and children - a place to connect to other women from around the world, talk and share stories from their homelands - and to connect as mothers raising their children in another country.

Trampoline House is also working with political issues pertaining to asylum seekers. One campaign is named, "Her er plads" (Here is Place campaign). For more info on this campaign please click on link here: Her er plads). On that site you can join hundreds of people and Trampoline House members who have made a pledge to stop the Danish deportation of 415 refugees to Afghanistan. You can do this by posting a photo of you holding a "Her er plads" sign on Facebook campaign page ( Her er plads Facebook campaign). This is a bold social media initiative, and at present they have over 1,480 likes on their page.

Trampoline Huset welcomes everyone, and if you’re interested in helping asylum seekers you can do it by just showing up on Skyttegade 3, where you’ll be greeted by the wonderful staff and volunteers. Usually, volunteers come twice a week and attend the House Meetings, where they decide what needs to be done, making the schedule for the entire week.

Russian Jewelry Designer Master of Precision

2013-03-25T09:00:00.000Z

Ossip Nicolai Frolov, one of Copenhagen's most interesting jewelry designers, reveals his secret to success. Exclusive interview with DF Media in Møntegade, Copenhagen.

Ossip Nicolai Frolov is a self-taught jewelry designer, and owns his own shop named “Frolov Jewelry” in Møntergade, Copenhagen. It is clear that Frolov is very passionate about his work, and his confessed mission is to create individual and personalized jewelry that brings joy to life for all his clients. Frolov Jewellery

“It began with a drawing of something impossible... “

Frolov is a master of detail - mixing wind & grass into unique pieces of jewelry, he finds a way to incorporate the four natural elements into his works of art. His future plans include making jewelry inspired by water.

Frolov grew up in Moscow, Russia and spent most of his childhood building his own toys and materializing his fantasies. Whatever toy he desired from the other side of the iron curtain, he had to create with his bare hands. As a child, his focus and commitment to creating with his hands offered him a chance to explore making original unparalleled pieces of true art. Frolov spent much of his time as a child building plane and car models which he created from scratch using mostly paper and wood.

Frolov admits that while growing, he learned that Soviet Russia was not a place one should stay forever, if you want your dreams to come true.

Two months after the Berlin wall fell, in January 1990, Frolov and his mother immigrated to Denmark. He was about to turn 18 and was scheduled to be drafted to the Russian army. The timing was perfect to leave. As a reminder of this journey to Denmark, leaving his family and friends behind, Frolov keeps a photograph of the train coach and him waving goodbye to The Soviet.

Jewelry, Music and Awareness:

Once in Denmark, jewelry designing no longer was just a dream for Frolov; it became a reality. He brought with him from Soviet Russia the fine ability and craftsmanship his father taught him. A man, he describes as truly inspiring and talented with his hands. Frolov learned from his father all the techniques he needed to be well on his way to becoming a master designer.

Frolov could be considered an inspiration for anyone seeking to fulfill their creative dreams. Not only is he a master jewelry designer, but he is a trained professional classical musician. Today he plays mostly only for his own enjoyment, but it is clear that his talents are not limited to just jewelry design.

As one sits with Frolov in his studio where he designs his pieces, one can get a sense that he is totally consumed by his art. He surrounds himself in his own creative world and his tools and is often locked onto a zone of focus only unique to masters. This extreme focus and seclusion for Frolov allows him the bullseye precision to complete the fine details in his pieces of work which are unequalled.

Frolov was inspired and propelled through his teenage years by Dharma Marga –a 5000 year old Vedic Martial Arts from India that was rediscovered and taught in Russia. It’s a blend of martial arts and Yoga. dharma Marga

Frolov's jewelry designs reflect some of the aspects of this martial arts philosophy; he integrates the art of meditation in different levels such as water, iron, wood, ground, clay, sticking to something, and branches and imitating animals. He merges nature and it's meditative elements with the materials to create a final piece of art. Animals are also a big theme of Frolov's art, and frogs can be seen in his pieces - the prince and the frog fairytales is what one is reminded of - but Frolov prefers to stay away from classic fairytale cliques which are not his source of inspiration.

Frolov connects to his clients and designs exclusive pieces for them - based on his guided sense of who they are, what they want and like and he has a calculating ability to materialize this in the jewelry. For example, he uses butterflies as a symbol of transformation – and carefully adapts the different stages of transformation depending on his clients.

“When I work for myself, I follow the impulses, tensions and longings of my own heart, and the ideas of beauty that belong to me. When meeting customers and working with an individual order, I strive to create a piece of fine jewelry that will match and reflect this particular persons inner and outer beauty.“

Please click on video below to watch DFMedia's interview with Frolov.

A pearl with a crown of rays.

"I had no idea how I could make such a Three dimensional figure. The sketch was going for a few years, and then I made a first model in silver with rays of copper and a second edition in oxidized silver with beads of gold and garnets." says Frolov.

Silver ring with enamel

Bulgarskmad - The one and only Bulgarian food store in Denmark

2013-03-12T18:00:00.000Z

In1989, Bulgaria was freed from the communist regime and became a democratic state instead of the communist republic which it had been since September 1944. This was done by a non-bloody revolution.

Bulgaria submitted its application to join the EU in May 1993, and opened accession negotiations on the 15th February 2000. It joined the EU from 2007.

Bulgaria, which had a population of almost 9 million in 1985, according to "Country Comparison :: Population growth rate".Central Intelligence Agency. 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2011 - "The population continues to decrease and the current growth rate is one of the lowest in the world." Currently a population of just under 7.4 million, according to a 2011 census.

One of the reasons for the demographic decline is the open border to the rest of Europe. Unemployment problems were and still are, one of the main causes of large immigration out of Bulgaria.

What do we know about Bulgaria? When we think of Bulgaria what pops into our minds?

Well, for a person with half Bulgarian decent, the word feta cheese and yoghurt first comes to mind.

It has been claimed that yoghurt originates from Bulgaria. Though this cannot be substantiated, Bulgaria has been part of a region that has cultivated and consumed yoghurt from as far back as 3000 BC.

Did you know that Bulgaria was the world's second largest wine producer in the 1980s, but the industry declined after the collapse of communism. Wine production is growing again, at an increase of 4.9% from the previous year.

There are around 7,000 Bulgarian immigrants in Denmark (not an official number). 4,000 of them live in the Copenhagen area.

Approximately 1,000 of them are students joining the international programs of universities all over the country.

You can find Bulgarians working in hotels, as truck drivers, construction workers, delivering news papers at night and also as highly educated IT personal.

There are about 120,000 Danish tourists visiting Bulgaria every year.

I’ve decided to search for Bulgarian food products available in Denmark. I found only 1 store in the whole country based in Nørrebro, Copenhagen.

Its called Bulgarskmad (Bulgarian Food)

I found a small cozy neighborhood store filled with Bulgarian specialties. What a treat! I felt like tasting it all. A Bulgarian mother and her cooking raised me, so I know how wonderful traditional dishes there are.

The store is full of colorful jars, a variety of wines, white and yellow cheese, dry meat, sweets and food in cans. The audience is both east Europeans and Danish. The owner is in good relationship with his neighbors and they drop by regularly to by mostly feta cheese and wine.

The owner of the place, Shenol Ibryam, agreed to meet with me and show me around the store. Please join us on this video:

Shenol Ibryam, the owner of the store, came to Denmark 10 years ago looking for work opportunities

Bulgaria is famous for its dry and semi dry meat. You should try the Lukanka – the Bulgarian spicy salami

Bulgarskmad - Åboulevarden 32, 2200 Kbh.N

Hompage

Young Man Cycles to Save Rosia Montana - Born to Travel and Help

2013-03-10T10:30:00.000Z

Rosia Montana Gold Corporation together with a Canadian company Gabriel Resources have plans to mine for gold in Rosia Montana, Romania. This project has been in the spotlight for more than a decade sparking massive opposition by locals, NGOs and activists around the world. Romania is one of EU's poorest countries to date, and those in favor of the mining project speculate it will generate jobs and increase economy. Those opposed to this project fear losing their land, being forced to dig up and move their loved ones from cemeteries, and are against the expected increase of toxicity and contamination impact the mining will have on Rosia Montana's nature. "Many within the country worry that to give the go-ahead to the project would be to sign away Romania's most valuable natural asset - and its ancient heritage." (BBC). At present, due to the successful campaigning to save Rosia Montana, the mining project is at a standstill. Save Rosia Montana

Last summer, one twenty year old Romania man, Tica Darie, decided to cycle from Copenhagen back to his homeland, campaigning to save Rosia Montana from being turned into Europe’s largest open cast cyanide gold mine. Despite the sometimes harsh weather conditions, little food, money, and water, Tica cylced 2,533 km and crossed more than seven countries (see his route here link). He carried a sign "Save Rosia Montana", and managed to increase awareness for Rosia Montana. His dedicated commitment and perseverance depicts what one person can accomplish if they really believe in a cause and set their mind for success.

Once Tica decided to cycle to Save Rosia Montana campaign, he created a blog (tica darie) so people could follow his adventure. Tica's unique and cheerful personality granted him the opportunity to meet all kinds of people along the way. He described them as nothing but kind, supportive and generous people who helped keep him on track to complete his goal. One can watch his cycle tour video ( Cycling the Europe)

Tica fits right in to the Danish cycling culture of Copenhagen, and on 20.05.2012 he finished his first marathon – sponsoring Nykredit Copenhagen – 42,2 km in 3:44:41.

Tica is planning another cycling tour to save to Rosia Montana this summer. He will cycle from Copenhagen to Rosia Montana with another person from Germany.

As a Multimedia student, Tica started a new project in Copenhagen named Run For You. The concept is simple; he runs as a form of advertising and promotion for businesses, products and companies ( more details on Run For You)

This young man is a source of inspiration for anyone who has a dream and wants to make a difference to change the world for the better. He shows us one truly positive way to increase public awareness regarding a mining project that could jeopardize the health and welfare of the people of Rosia Montana. This story is yet another example of the threat of corporatization of natural resources which doesn't always benefit the local community as much as it does the international companies and their allies.

Tica and Sebastian Platon finishing Nykredit Copenhagen Marathon

Check out my interview with Tica :

Mafia Style Dining at L’Altro CPH

2013-03-01T16:30:00.000Z

Copenhagen restaurants spice up their menu themes in an attempt to entice more patrons.

Denmark is not immune from the global economic crisis. This can bee seen in the change of spending habits of Danes. Less Danes are giving their old goods to the "Genbrug" thrift shops, more Danes are shopping less at retail stores and purchasing from Genbrug shops, and less Danes are eating out at restaurants - opting for cafes with cheaper menus (see links: Politiken Nov2012, Politiken Feb2010). When it comes to food and culture in a time of an economic crisis many will opt for spending less. One restaurant, L'Altro, has decided to pump up the restaurant experience in the hopes that they can attract more customers. The Mafia theme provides customers with a fun hands on eating experience Godfather style.

L’Altro, located in Christianshavn, first opened in 2005, and is owned by Michelin star restaurant “Era Ora.” The restaurant has a cozy, friendly atmosphere, and provides a rustic Tuscan cuisine.

L’Altro names this Mafia theme night: “An offer you cannot refuse.”

The chefs at the restaurant have looked through the film archives of “The Godfather (1972)” in order to serve the ultimate Corleone menu for their guests with the most legendary dishes from the movie.

All the food and wine is imported directly from Italy. The menu includes 3 antipasti dishes, pasta dish, horse sausages with vegetables, cheese plate and desert. The food is delicious, simple and tasty and the wine menu matched it nicely.

Throughout the evening, they play “gangster” music and present a Mafia Quiz, with a prize of a free meal for two.

The staff is a breath of fresh air to the ordinary service seen in Copenhagen cafes and restaurants - they are attentive, friendly make you feel at home.

Lets go inside and take a look:

The Delicious main dish served with ecological horse meat and vegetables.

The joyful and talented chefs – Jessica and Marcello.

The rich wine cellar all imported directly from Italy.

A clip from “The Godfather“ - Tomato sauce recipe

Resturant website

The Double sided Sword of an African Prince Turned into an Afro-Pop Star

2013-02-27T13:00:00.000Z

The African Prince-musician, Salif Keita, visited Copenhagen this week as part of his Talé Tour 2013. Known worldwide as “The Golden Voice of Africa” - his flavorful music talent is meshed with Mandingo tradition and other styles like Afro pop, Salsa-with-a-Twist, rhythmical funk and Afro-Jazz-Rock.

Originally from Mali and a descendent of the Mandinka royal family, at an early age, Salif chose the life of a musician despite his father's disownment from his royal family. Another set back in his youth was having albinism. He was ostracized by his family and the community because of albinism, and it was considered a sign of bad luck. This is not the first time in history, persons with albinism have been treated maliciously - there are numerous reported cases of discrimination, threats of violence, killings, and ridicule of persons with albinism - simply because they lack pigment in their skin. Please see links here to read more about this growing problem of crimes committed against persons with albinism (ABCNews).

Salif Keita is also an important advocate for the fair treatment and social integration of persons with albinism. This has been a life long commitment for him - to stop the atrocities committed against persons with albinism. According to Salif Keita on website:

"Unfortunately, albinos in many African nations are simply killed due to superstition and ignorance about the skin condition that is caused by a complete lack of pigmentation, or more simply said, they die "because they are black people who have white skin" said Mr. Keita,"whether it's due to discrimination or the hot sun, they are in perpetual danger. Creating thoughts of love towards those with the condition is the first priority and the strongest power in changing the lives of those with albinism. After that, every other positive change will have to follow automatically."

Click here to read about his foundation (The Salif Keita Global Foundation, Inc.)

During as press conference in Abidjan on July 30, 2011 - Salif Keita vowed to defend albino rights in international courts. - "Salif Keita said he would pursue all individuals and governements responsible for violence against albinos. The singer dedicated one of his performances to Peace and Reconciliation for all people in the country, including vulnerable groups" (link to page on foundation site)

Salif Keita, is considered one of the success stories - overcoming the stigma of pursuing a life as a musician and being a person with albinsim. With more than 40 years of creating and playing music, Salif has earned his status as one of the most well known musicians in his field despite his personal challenges.

Over 800 people attended his concert at Amager Bio this week; a concert hall well known for hosting top name international musicians.

The style of the concert was a filled with traditional african beats and vocals. They used a DJ and a computer to replace some of the bass player, drums and choir. This concert was promoted as an African style party - the sound was good, the lighting cool - and that is just what is was - a cool grande fiesta.

But you can check video out for yourself, and scroll down on link to Salif's website for more information of this Prince of Africa an Afro-Pop Star.

The video below shows a clip of Salif and his band jamming out some Pop rhythms:

Scene from balcony of Amager Bio - Salif Keita concert

If you want to hear and read more about this performer check out his website at:

http://www.salifkeita.net

Facebook fan page

Concert in the Dark - Rangleklods' Awakens the Senses

2013-02-22T14:00:00.000Z

On a cold Thursday evening in February, DFMedia found the city of Copenhagen roaming with people. The freezing weather didn’t seem to stop any of them from stepping out, taking off on their bikes and experiencing the many different events that the city had to offer.

DFMedia with The Copenhagen Voice is covering this month the FROST Festival. The festival presents high quality and alternative concerts, taking place in unique locations all over the city.

DFMedia hit the Cafeteater on Skindergade to check out the electronic sounds of Rangleklods. Cafeteater is known for its avant garde funky style and showing of both controversial and foreign plays in Denmark.

Rangleklods, a Danish electronic duo, performed in the dark to awaken the senses of the audience. The public stood in the middle of a totally dark room while white screens covered 3 out of 4 walls. The musicians were placed behind the screens. According to the band, they want to create an environmental balance between simplicity and complexity. Caught in the dark, one is trapped between blindness with sound. The experience was tantalizing to say the least, taking one to a place where the mind is free to visualize its own world stimulated only by music. Interestingly enough, a neon stick was handed out to those who in total darkness may to need have an emergency back up light in case the darkness was too much to handle.

Check this band out at:

http://rangleklods.com/

http://volcano.nu/epk/rangleklods

Check out video of night:

Rangleklods consists of Esben Andersen and Pernille Smith-Sivertsen. What began as Esben’s solo project has gradually turned into a collaboration between the two, who already shared ideas and musical visions during Rangleklods’ infant hours in Berlin.

The back entrance to Cafeteater on Skindegade, midtown.

A neon stick that was offered to all participants entering the concert. In case that someone will feel claustrophobic while locked in in the dark room, one could just break the stick so that the neon will turn on. That way, the guards see notice the problem and accompany them out side.

Old School Disco - Freedom on Ice with WhoMadeWho

2013-02-11T15:00:00.000Z

On a typically quiet Sunday night in Copenhagen, while most were home keeping warm and cosy, Wondercool Copenhagen Festival woke up one corner of this town. This festival hits Copenhagen hard in February - sending out a message to locals - Copenhagen can be funky even in the dead of winter. Freezing weather conditions on Sunday night did not stop locals from coming out into the dark to fancy a bit of DJ groove music while ice skating around disco lights at Toftegårds Plads, Valby.

DFMedia with The Copenhagen Voice, will be covering this "funky town" festival this month.

First on the list: FROST Festival :

FROST will be using both established and alternative venues throughout Copenhagen - presenting a wide range of super stylin' events – catering to Danes and internationals that crave the cool scene.

Their main agenda is to create unique concert experiences at alternative locations which will give people something to remember.

DFMedia met up with the Danish trio performers, WhoMadeWho, on Sunday the 10th at Toftegårds Plads, Valby and had a chance to interview their guitar player Jeppe "brining in the old disco style" on ice is where it's at.

WhoMadeWho are getting worldwide success. They are mostly touring in Germany, France and Mexico at the moment. I was lucky to pull the guitar player and singer Jeppe, out from the stage for a few moments interview. Check this out:

This 3-piece band from Copenhagen was founded in 2003, emerged out of the rock, underground, electronic and jazz scene

Jeppe Kjellberg (guitar & vocals)

Tomas Hoffding (bass & vocals)

Tomas Barfod (drums and electronic)

For more information regarding the band, please check their website.

http://whomadewho.dk

Besides a number of 12” singles and remixes for other artists, the band’s first full release was their self-titled debut, ‘WhoMadeWho’ 2005.

Releases:

2005: WhoMadeWho CD/2LP
2009: The Plot CD/LP
2011: Knee Deep - Mini-LP+CD/digital
2012: Brighter

Their disco-punk style draws from a range of influences, among them 1960's psychedelia, 1970's stoner rock, 1980's post-punk and 1990's electronica.

The performance took place on a skating track in -3 degree weather.

Spectators waiting for DJ's to play

Ice skaters skating to DJ music.

Field Guide To "Video On The Move" Live Streaming

2013-01-08T22:00:00.000Z

From Streaming Media Magazine

Welcome to “Video on the Move,” the first installment of the new Streaming Media Field Guide series. These guides, which you’ll see plenty more of, are designed to focus on a specific task related to online video. They help you become fluent on the topic and understand related terms, as well as give you an in-depth look at products related to doing the job.

Click below to read.

FIELD-GUIDE-1Video-On-The-Move-The-ultimate-reference-to-Cellular-Newsgathering-%28CNG%29.pdf

COPENHAGEN THEATER CIRCLE: Open Stage Performance

2012-10-30T10:50:39.000Z

19 October 2012 – Performers of all genres; poets, story tellers, stand-up comedians, singers, dancers, clowns, musicians, magicians came together at Café Cadeau in Frederiksberg for an open stage performance. It was the first time an event of this kind was performed by the Copenhagen Theater Circle.

Copenhagen Theater Circle (CTC) is a non-profit amateur theatrical society in Copenhagen using the English language as their main medium. At least twice a year, the CTC stage full scale productions. Recently, they ran a production called “Calendar Girls” for the whole month of October and now they are rehearsing for Aladdin which will be performed next year. (http://ctcircle.dk/)

There were more or less 10 performers and 60 energetic and active people in the audience. All of them shared the common goal: to relax and have fun while enjoying the English language in performance art. It was my first time to watching a live performance in Copenhagen Denmark, and I didn’t know what to expect. I made sure to get there early so I could be up front but as early as 6pm it was a full house so I ended up standing. The event began with a story teller who shared his experience with The Swedes. Some of the performers used other languages other than English, but the audience was still able to relate to their message. In my opinion the best acts was the poet juggler. I don’t if he really knew how to juggle, but he got me and the audience laughing – he read a heartfelt poem that he had just written that day for a girl he had just meet the day before. I can say that the performers are really born entertainers. While the performers were not equipped with massive amounts of props and costumes – they were still able to maximize their naked raw talents. It was a mixed crowd but the audience consisted mostly of non-Danes.

Performers of the Night:

In a country where language is important in the society, this language barrier is not a hindrance for this group to exist. Talents have no boundaries.

For more performance:

http://youtu.be/7GiGPulJdg8

http://youtu.be/YojV83vOelU

From Kenya to Denmark and back - Juniour Creates Miracles for Kenya Kids with Soccer

2012-10-29T13:54:23.000Z

Published on Mar 21, 2012

FIFA Futbol Mundial profiles the Danish African Soccer Academy, or Dasac, a project that helps develop youths in both Denmark and Kenya spearheaded by former international player Hamid Faiz Junior.

Juniour is sponsoring this soccer project all on his own. He is a native Kenyan living in Denmark - he has changed the lives of hundreds of impoverished Kenyan boys who have a love and passion for soccer. He has taken kids off the streets and gotten them off of drugs and back in school and soccer - going back to school is one of the requirements if the boys want to play on the DASAC-Kenya team. Juniour has had countless success stories of boys who have changed their quality of life through dedicating their time to playing soccer and going back to school.

Please watch 6 minute video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R54SDVJZ24c&feature=share&list=PLC8510A4D127C84B0

And if you have a love of soccer and contributing to improving the lives of less fortunate boys with a passion for soccer - contact Juniour and donate to this project.

Email Juniour:

hamidfaizjuniour@yahoo.dk

MILK CITY, Copenhagen

2012-10-29T13:16:06.000Z

21 October 2012 --- A typical Dane can consume up to 4 liters of milk every day and that makes 90 liters of milk per year¹. The milk consumption inside a household is greater compared to eggs and meat. The Danish dairy industry is an important sector and it consists of the international dairy group Arla Foods and 30 smaller dairy companies. Arla is Europe’s largest dairy group². Based on the 2011 study in Budapest^{3 -} There is no doubt that Denmark is one of the top consumers of milk within the EU.

Milk is a staple food in Denmark. It is included in most of their daily meals whether a substitute for water or one of the ingredients in their cooked meals. Milk in Denmark has become an ordinary and expected part of their everyday life. This gives Arla an idea of giving milk a new image; so they decided to build Milk City on Højbro Plads in Copenhagen. Milk City is an urban cluster of five milk carton-shaped buildings constructed from approx. 8,000 milk crates designed by Jonas Pindhund^4. He is the artist behind the Ikke en Pind company, and he works for a quick and effective action-based artistic result focusing on detail and message. Jonas Pindund is knows for his ability to break out of traditional art with measurable habit breaking, unconventional promotions, with unique decors and thought-provoking lectures for companies and institutions.

The Milk City was built from 15-17 October 2012 and it opened to the public from 18-21 October 2012 from 10:00-17:00, free of charge. During this time, it is autumn break so parents and kids had time to explore the city. The green carton-shaped building was an added colorful addition to the city's grey tones. The bright green colors could be seen from the walking in Strøget, inviting people to come investigate. It was literally a haven for kids. There was free milk vendor-machine, all kinds of milk (minimælk, sødmælk, letmælk, etc.) including organic and lasctose-free milk. They also had milk bars, milk reigns supreme if they want to taste something new (Chilled, bubbly, frothy and colorful milk drinks like “Sunny Beach” and “Kung Fu Shot”, “The Brown Spots”, and also classics such as delicious cocoa with whipped cream or COWffe Latte). All the things inside and out were made of milk cartons and crates even the playing area and the lamp inside. A dynmamic playground for kids.

This was also an experience for grown-ups - giving them another perspective of what milk can offer a city and a life; especially for foreigners who are not familiar with the dairy industry.

With this small country, innovation is important and making everyday life exciting by thinking from ordinary to extraordinary is vital for any successful event. In my opinion, this event was amazing; they built something out of nothing and emphasized how big the milk industry in Denmark truly is. Danes should be proud of this event – contributing to street life here and increasing public awareness about milk.

Tango and Swing Dance workshop

2012-10-20T18:30:00.000Z

A fantastic night of diversified culture (Kulturnatten) is one of Copenhagen’s largest annual events. Held on October 12th the city's streets were filled with wild activities.

Culture night is a great opportunity to explore new and unknown sides of Copenhagen. The main aim of this culture night is to temporarily change the ambience and cultural landscape of Copenhagen. The whole city becomes an integral part of the night of culture, involving major and minor cultural institutions.

Culture Night has something for everybody like theatre, music, exhibitions, experimental arts, guided tours and so on. The first culture night was in 1993 and the foundation was formed in 2004. Last year culture night brought in a ticket sale of 71,000.

One of the events that cphvoice visited was Tango and Swing dancing.

Tango Dance

One of the most fascinating of all dances, the tango is a sensual ballroom dance that originated in Argentina in South America. Tango is usually performed by a man and a woman, expressing an element of romance in their synchronized movements. Originally the tango was performed only by women, but later on it developed into a dance for couples.

Tango is danced to a repetitive style of music. The count of the music is either 16 or 32 beats. While dancing the tango, the lady is held in the crook of the man’s arm. She holds her head back and rests her right hand on the man's lower hip. The man must allow the lady to rest in this position while leading her around the floor in a curving pattern. Tango dancers must strive to make a strong connection with the music and their dance partner.

Swing Dance

Swing dance is a lively style of social dancing in which a dancer often lifts, spins and flips his or her partner. Considered both hip and cool, swing dancing is a favorite among social dancers of all ages.

Swing dance is characterized by lots of swinging, flipping and throwing of dancers. It is a non-progressive dance style because it is mostly performed in one spot. It is a popular dance for a crowded dance floor. Swing is a quick, fast-paced dance. Couples hold hands as opposed to placing hands on the shoulders or around the waist, as ballroom dancers do.

Swing dance music is as varied as the many styles of swing dance. The development of swing dance styles was heavily influenced by the popular music of the time. Swing music may include styles such as jazz, hip-hop, blues, rock-n-roll, ragtime, R&B, funk and pop. The chosen music style typically determines which swing dance should be danced. Swing dancers enjoy dancing to many different rhythms, as slower beats allow them to have a break from the fast-paced swinging. Swing dancing is energetic and lots of fun because dancers have the chance to add their personal style and expression.

OPENING OF MIMERSPARKEN – Copenhagen's Vision: Best Urban Spaces in the World by 2015

2012-10-05T22:02:32.000Z

As more and more families are being hit with the economic crisis - loosing their jobs, shopping less, holding onto their money and living below poverty line (http://issuu.com/cphpost/docs/1539_cphpost) - one thing is for sure – now they will have more public parks to retreat to in Copenhagen. Free outdoor park facilities coming your way to help you save money or to pass the time while looking for work.

The newest park in Nørrebro opened on October 3rd. It is in old railroad land between Nørrebro Station and Tagensvej. The park covers 38,000 m2 and there are 157 new trees.

We will see the popping up of parks all over Copenhagen in the next years to come. It is one Copenhagen's top priority Visions - to become the capital city of the world with the best urban environment by 2015. Before 2015 the municipality is expected to establish 14 pocket parks throughout the city and plant 3,000 new trees to create green streets and connections.

The goal is that 90 % of all Copenhageners, by 2015, can walk to a park, a beach or a harbor bath in less than 15 minutes.

A pocket park is defined as less than 5,000 square meters - less than half the size of a soccer field. The City of Copenhagen highlights 5 key elements to the creation of pocket parks in Copenhagen:
• Size
• A visible green element
• Openness and a positive image
• Demarcation and protection
• Identity and local community

(http://www.dac.dk/en/dac-cities/sustainable-cities-2/show-theme/green-city/copenhagen---pocket-parks-a-drop-of-urban-green/?bbredirect=true)

A very timely topic during the opening of the Parliament last Tuesday 02 October 2012, the Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt's opening speech focused on education, helping the youth, creating more jobs and pushing Denmark out of the economic crisis.

According to The Copenhagen Post, …”she was adamant that the best course of action lay within creating jobs through the construction and renovation of buildings and playgrounds and an energy plan designed to replace coal-burning energy with greener alternatives.” Very promising but what happens to the workers when they are finished building and renovating the parks? Will there still be a job for these workers? A great initiative but how sustainable will it be to create permanent jobs? The fact still remains that the Danish economy is not stabilized, there are still 162,700 unemployed as of August 2012, and this number is expected to increased up to 170,000 by the start of 2013. (http://cphpost.dk/business/denmark-downward-spiral).

There are many new facilities in MIMERSPARKEN park which are designed to fulfill all the recreational needs of the public. For example, there is a football field, a place to play table tennis, practice parkour and fitness and even a climbing wall. There is also a multi-path, and people can bike polo and roller derby. You can also play basketball, barbecue and hang out in the sun or in the large playground.

The opening of MIMERSPARKEN park was simultaneously held in three different spaces of the park. from 3pm to 6pm: Multi-track, Football Site and Playground. Despite the typical Danish weather of rain and overcast skies, many people came to join the celebration and explore the new park facilities. The majority of the crowd were kids aged 5-12 who came with their parents – they enjoyed the new playground while their parents used the grilling facilities to make dinner.

In the Multi-track, there was a showcase of Roller Derby by Copenhagen Derby followed by a Bike Polo with Cykel Polo København, Roller hockey and parkour with Street Movement.

In the Football Site, music was played by DJ TopGunn & Raske Penge and Chancho and Mighty Mala. Opening remarks were delivered by Technology and Environment Mayor Ayfer Baykal, Chairman of Realdania Jesper Nygård and Vice-President of Nørrebro Local Committee Glismann. Followed by a short match from Nørrebro United, Street basketball played by Stevnsgade, Acroyoga, Urban Workout traning, Table tennis, Tai Chi.

Football Site

Playground (Photo by Jens Dredling, ibyen.dk)

Now, people in the neighborhood can enjoy a leisurely 5 minute walk through the Park directly from the train station, their work, and shopping center. Instead of the city's hustle and bustle of going directly from work to home – the new park provides an opportunity for people to take a “time out” and enjoy the outdoors.

It's nice to know that as we move further and further into this economic crisis there is at least a park near by that we can turn to to have a good time for free and forget about the real issues people are facing. Perhaps this is a good initiative by the municipality, providing greener spaces and park facilities for people will perhaps improve their general well being – bringing them closer to nature, increasing their physical activity and creating a space to communicate with their neighbors.

DANISH-ARAB DIALOGUE CONFERENCE 2012: Moving beyond words

2012-10-02T09:00:00.000Z

How many dialogue between Christians and Muslims we need to resolve issues?

Do we take this dialogue seriously or just a show-off that we are doing something?

A dual conference began in Beirut last 1-3 May 2012 and continued with a follow-up conference in Copenhagen from 25-27 September 2012. This conference was organized by The Muslim-Christian Contact Group of The National Council of Churches in Denmark in partnership with the Lebanon based Arab Group for Muslim-Christian Dialogue. The conference was supported by The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Initially, the dialogue was about common understanding and recognition of each other.

http://dialogue2012.org/conference/

So what actually happened in Beirut on the 3rd of May 2012?

Christians and Muslims spoke with a common voice.

During that conference, the participants agreed on the following message with a common voice across cultural and religious differences - below is the statements reflecting the common voice:

1. Christians and Muslims confess faith in God the one Creator. This faith constitutes a common space for further dialogue.

2. We agree that the different conceptions of God/Allah should not be a source of distrust.

3. We agree that the deep love of God compels us to love every human being and to respect his or her opinions and rights irrespectively of his or her faith or political conviction.

4. Both Muslim and Christian values are interrelated with the principles of human rights such as the dignity of human beings, freedom of expression, freedom of religion, equality, the right of life, rights of women and justice for all.

5. Muslims and Christians share ethical values such as compassion, care for the weak and respect for each other.

6. We regard the basic values of Islam and Christianity as an enrichment of our societies. Religious communities and individuals should be an integral and active part of society.

7. Religious differences should enrich civil, political and cultural rights for all.

8. We commit ourselves to promote a culture of equity, better understanding, appreciation and genuinely equal citizenship in society through e.g. raising awareness, the use of media and education curricula.

http://dialogue2012.org/assets/120503-Final-Statement-Beirut.pdf

At that time in May, the participants all agreed to continue this important dialogue and move this beyond words - taking dialogue action all the way to Copenhagen.

Copenhagen, 25-28 September 2012

The official opening was made public at the Danish Parliament and it started with the opening dialogue, From Beirut to Copenhagen by Dr. Asmat Mojaddedi, President of the Muslim Council of Denmark. He offered insight into what happened in Beirut and the dialogue that they had agreed upon. He also reminded the participants and guests about how people abuse and misuse the right to Freedom of Religion and how it can become disruptive toward others.

The Minister of Social Affairs and Integration, Mrs Karen Hækkerup was there to express the support on behalf of the Danish Government. The government is supportive of the initiative and will continue to support the dialogue and will ensure that the rights, duties and responsibilities of everyone will be integrated in labor and civil society. Hækkerup also mentioned the partnership that they have not only beyond borders but within borders, the YOUR FAITH. MY WAY project by Jews, Christians and Muslims.

Remarkable words from Dr. Jørgen S. Nielsen, from Centre of European Islamic Thought (CEIT) of University of Copenhagen awakened the audience to the importance of partnership. A deep dialogue happens not just on a plenary session but on the exchanging of experiences over coffee or on the way to a hotel. He emphasized that the audience needs to take the implementation of dialogue positively. When crisis brakes out, the initial reaction is to have a dialogue within a conference. There they network together, and they can address the problems and possible solutions. And if the partnership of commitment exists, it needs a constant cultivation. This dialogue should not draw the line between differences, between Christian and Islam but rather, it should be absolutely necessity to increase the understanding, the connecting of one another and exploring of each other. Another suggestion from Dr. Nielsen was to change the attitude of teaching only one's religion and instead to move towards the teaching of other religions. He mentioned that this would take time. In his final note, he mentions that we should be working towards an increased understanding that the problem is the believer not the belief.

In Sheikh Muhammed al-Yaquobi’s speech, a Syrian Islamic scholar, answered the question, how do we move beyond words? There are always challenges when talking about conflict and distraction, but this should be dealt within a theological circle and not on the streets. However, a dialogue misunderstood is compromising. They are afraid to discuss reunification of religion and unification attempts can lead to conflicts. Take, for example, history, there has always been conflict and there will always be, but the dialogue should highlight the topics that concern us as human beings, with love and respect. In this time, we should put our hands together as we face challenges against the human race to save the world, to stop war, poverty and to help people to save humanity. Put life above everything else, if they don’t conform to this, then we must reject it.

Sheikh Muhammed al-Yaquobi during his speech

Dr. Asmat Ullah Mojadeddi, President of the Muslim Council of Denmark

And finally, an assurance from Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dept. of MENA on the role that Denmark could have. Denmark will continue to have dialogues and reforms within and around the Arab world; job creations in the Arab areas, supporting of democracy for transition countries where its people demand such change, financial support, and maintaining partnerships with other organizations that support the interfaith dialogue.

This conference is expected to deliver reports from their workshops about interfaith commitment, strengthening European/Danish relations and religious inclusivity in public spaces.

See the Final Statement Copenhagen 2012

http://dialogue2012.org/assets/120928-Final-Statement-Copenhagen.pdf

Nonetheless, opening this dialogue conference up to the public gave the people a better understanding of what is actually going on. On the whole, there was a sense of responsibility in the air that one must do something of this kind – to create dialogue with others who have a different religion. This message was well received, and they didn’t leave empty handed. But, what would be most interesting to know, aside from the Danish government supporting this type of dialogue, is what would be some possible policies and regulations that could be created and implemented to ensure the sanctity of respect and human kindness between opposing parties. Don't governments have an obligation to uphold the law on hate crimes? - According to The European Union “since 2002, the European Union mandates individual states to punish as a crime hate speech done through the internet.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hate_crime - An interesting question to ponder is how can societies ensure that there will not be any such acts committed like the burning of the Quran in Norway which incited violence and hate around the globe? Or, how do we prevent people from making a movie insulting the prophet Mohammad, and posting it on the internet? This is clearly a hate crime that was intended to insult a particular religion. It triggered massive violent demonstrations and led to the death of an American Ambassador, Chris Stevens (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2012/sep/12/libya-egypt-attacks-muhammad-film-live) in Libya. Don't we need to focus on prevention instead of “damage control” after the hate crimes are committed. Is our right to freedom of speech more important than ensuring that hate crimes are not committed and sparking violence and killings around the world?

Although this conference showed great initiative, there were still many experienced professionals in the audience whose voice and comments were not heard. A open public debate forum would have been more effective and beneficial for progress in this area. This would have generated more common people “shared information, knowledge and experience” on the Christian-islamic tolerance and peaceful interaction issue. A dialogue of how people could change their interactions and behavior with each other in their daily lives would have proven to be positive. The conference lasted longer than expected, lending to the fact that many people wanted to hear more about what can be done to resolve this communication problem.

There seems to be a great deal of dialogue going on at the moment, with respect to religion and culture, however, we might not experience and see the difference right away. But it is important to note that every dialogue is a small step towards peace and unity. And we don’t need to be one of the participants to hear our voice and make a difference. As Mr. Michael Marvel of The Salvation Army said, “just a small talk to other people would contribute to the main goal (creating respectful) dialogue”.

After this 3-day conference, it is clear that this issue is still not resolved nor do we have any concrete answers or solutions to our conflicts of faith. However, we may be one step closer to a more respectable environment between Christians and Muslims. To conclude, this dialogue should not only be within the four walls of the conference room at Parliament, and exclusively for the “intellects” who attended. This message of having a peaceful and respectful dialogue between persons of varying religious beliefs needs to be taken to the streets, in the shopping malls, laundry mats, lines at stores and all public spaces as well as in our homes and gardens – all shared spaces. Wouldn't it be important to find effective ways to coexist together with peace and respect.

INSIDEOUT 2400: Interactive Art Project

2012-09-24T08:20:51.000Z

21 September 2012 --- The first thing that you will notice in the dark alley of Møntmestervej , is a series of high video projections on the wall with portraits and videos taken inside the 50 houses around the area. This is called INSIDEOUT 2400 project. The idea of the project was to focus on neighbourhoods depicting this place and space with images, video, sounds and words - “bringing the inside out” to the street during the two-evenings, 21 and 22 September from 8-11:30.

At the beginning of the street, volunteers from the neighbourhood were there to assist and offer drinks and chips for everyone while they watched the projected images and videos. We meet and talked to Morten a resident of this neighborhood. He explained the importance and significance of this project.

The street was so dark; one could hardly see the people walking around. They really emphasized the images projected and the colossal size was breath taking. Both sides of the street were used for the project and every wall had a different personal story to tell. It was a collection of portraits and snapshots of local residents. There was a man doing his laundry, an old lady knitting, a family playing and women washing dishes, and every day life inside their own homes. They developed an Augmented Reality application Inside Out 2400, where they experimented with documentary sound collages that can be experienced via android smartphones. They also developed telephone performances, the street guests had a chance to call the various performers who worked with the improvisation, this was a live interaction and character development which happened between 9-11pm.

This unique project was the first of its kind to happen on the street of Copenhagen and this brilliant idea was made possible by:

Hanne Lise Thomsen, a graduate from Art Academy in Copenhagen. She has implemented a number of other large significant projects utilizing public spaces including We are from here billboard project in the West Bank, Ramallah the 2012. Thomsen showed video projections in New York in 2005 The Homeless of New York City Wish You All a Happy Holiday and facilitated a billboard project called Women2003. Currently, she is working on a feminist project in Cairo but is facing some challenges, due to the current political situation there. However, she hopes that eventually, she will be able to complete this important project on feminism in that area of the world.

http://www.timeout2.dk/index2.htm

Kassandra Wellendorf, a film-maker and media artist, she has an interactive video works like A Tourist is Waiting for You, Public Gaze # 1, and Sleeping Obstacles worked to develop digital art forms that interprets and communicates themes about the relationship between the private and the public.

Why Møntmestervej?

According to Hanne, she chose this area because NordVest has a perceived reputation of criminality, and she wanted to show that there are a lot of common people living there who have the same problems as the rest of us and it's a classic neighbourhood where the neighbors don't say hello to each other and don't have contact with each other. This project gives the people in the neighbourhood a chance to interact with each other in the public space that surrounds their daily lives. And lastly, people are so busy with their own life and living that they don't always have the time to visit art galleries and museums. Placing this ART on the walls of buildings in their neighborhood is what she would consider "bringing the art" to them in a public space which allows the people to have contact with art.

“This concept contributes to the society as a whole because it allows for a dialogue about issues including political issues that the people are facing today and having these dialogues in public space provides another way of looking at their community.” --- Hanne Line Thomsen

Pictures from INSIDEOUT 2400

KRONBORG CASTLE or HAMLET’S CASTLE

2012-09-21T11:22:49.000Z

Kronborg Castle view from harbor

Kronborg Castle is the star fortress in the town of Helsingør, the harbour is near the entrance to the narrow Øresund Sound between Sweden and Denmark. It is also the most important Renaissance castle in Northern Europe and was added to UNESCO's World Heritage Sites list on November 30, 2000.

It was built by King Frederik II in 1574-84 (King from 1559-1588 - who ruled Denmark and Norway) and placed at the entrance of Øresund - which was the ideal position to collect Sound Duties from ships entering Øresund to secure state taxes and revenues and also as a fortress to defend the Kingdom of Denmark.

During 1629, the castle was wasted by a heavy fire and only the Chapel was saved. King Frederik II excavated the remains of the site and started the rebuilding and restoration of Kronborg Castle in Baroque Style with new interior and decorations as it appears today. From around 1700 the Castle was no longer used as a Royal residence and in 1790 the Danish army took over the entire property and renewed some of the buildings it as barracks. In 1923, the army left the premises and since then a continuing restoration of the castle has taken place.

HAMLET: “To be or not be”

After the castle was restored, banquets were frequently held in the palace particularly in The Ballroom where only English and Scotish actors were invited to perform. They could have been the source of stories about the illustrious castle that reached Shakespeare which inspired him to set the play here. It is unknown whether Shakespeare actually ever visited Helsingør. Although Hamlet is just a myth, Shakespeare placed it into a must-see-castle in Europe.

“Hamlet” is one of the most famous and frequently performed stage plays in the world. Since the 1600s, countless theatrical productions at the castle and many other venues have endeavored to keep the legend of Hamlet alive. That is why Kronborg is now known all over the world as Hamlet’s castle, and Elsinore is the name Shakespeare coined for Helsingør, and is known as the Town of Hamlet.

Hamlet was performed in the castle for the first time to mark the 200^thanniversary death of William Shakespeare. And every summer theatre productions from around the world come to perform at Kronborg to make sure the myth of Hamlet is kept alive. For example, one famous actress who performed in Hamlet ,at the castle, was Jude Law in 2009.

(http://hamletscenen.dk/uk_default.asp)

Hans-Peter Kellner, a Danish-Austrian Director said, “Shakespeare does not only allow us one way in Hamlet. He leads the plot to moments.” This was true because of the few performances at the castle; they showed another face of Hamlet.

Search: Hamlet– by Ong Keng Sen a Singaporean Director, a dance-theater event, a free interpretation of Hamlet which was performed by the Asians. (22 August 2002)

Revenge of the Princeby Shanghai Peking Opera – Chinese own interpretation of Hamlet (August 2005)

The experience was surreal. Who would not know Hamlet or Shakespeare from English class? The characters might be fictional but the castle is very real. It is the same castle where another famous line came from, “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark” was uttered. And this bonds Shakespeare to Denmark in terms of culture and literature.

THE CASTLE

A few blocks from the Helsingør train station, a magnificent Renaissance fortress stands overlooking the harbour. As you approach closer to the castle, you can see that it is well fortified with a thick wall and solid gates. The castle consists of a square curtain wall with a number of stone buildings inside. Among the most important attractions are: The Ballroom, the largest royal hall in Northern Europe, decorated by a series of large Rosenborg paintings. The Chapel, with its original interior and was the only building that was saved during the fire. The Royal Apartment, here you will find the oldest tapestries in Europe. The Casemates, a place where gloomy soldiers’ quarter beneath the castle and it is the home of the sleeping Danish hero Holger the Dane.

During the period 1998-2010, Kronborg Castle was undergoing extensive development to turn it into a modern exhibition centre and visitor attraction. The restoration of the buildings and fortress areas go hand-in-hand with the development of the historical presentation of the castle for the public.

Words and images are not enough to describe the astonishing view of the castle inside and out. You have to feel the coldness of the Casemates, smell the old tapestries and be stunned in the royal hall. The 1-hour tour was really worth it, and when you visit, you will probably stay longer than you think.

CONTACT:

Kronborg Castle
Kronborg 2 C
DK-3000 Helsingør
Tel.: +45 4921 3078
E-mail: kronborg@slke.dk

Website: http://www.ses.dk/en/SlotteOgHaver/Slotte/Kronborg.aspx

OPENING HOURS:

2012
January - March	Tue - Sun	11.00 a.m. - 04.00 p.m.
April - May	Daily	11.00 a.m. - 04.00 p.m.
June - August	Daily	10.00 a.m. - 05.30 p.m.
September - October	Daily	11.00 a.m. - 04.00 p.m.
November - December	Tue - Sun	11.00 a.m. - 04.00 p.m.

TICKET PRICES:

2012

Admission to

Adults

Children
15 - 18 years

Children
6 - 14 years

95 DKK

75 DKK

30 DKK

Guided tours in English for individual guests are free with a valid ticket.

Nepalese Women Teej Festival 2012, Denmark

2012-09-14T20:59:25.000Z

Yesterday we visited the Nepalese Teej festival which was organised by the Non- Resident Nepali Association (NRNA). This is a non-profit representative organization for Nepalese living in Denmark. It is primarily concerned in promoting the common interests of its members. Their slogan is ”For Nepali by Nepali”.

Teej is one of the biggest festivals for Hindu women. Teej is a fasting festival that is mainly celebrated in Nepal and India. The festival lasts three days that fall on the end of August or early September, the time of monsoon. "Teej" is a small red insect that comes out of the soil during monsoon.

On this day, Hindu women in red attire with gold jewelry are meeting in huge groups at Temples or other places, singing and taking a series of rhythmical steps to the tunes of folk devotional songs. Traditional dances and songs form an important feature of the celebrations. The colour red is considered auspicious for women observing the Teej fast, so most of them dress up in red or in bridal clothes.

Teej is a three-day-long festival in Nepal and each day has its own significance.

1. Dar Khane Din

The first day of Teej is called the 'Dar Khane Din'(Dar eating day). Dar is made of rice and milk with the mixture of coconut, raisin and cashew nut. On this day, the women dress in their finest clothes and gather at one place to perform traditional dances and sing devotional songs. All the families and relatives gather together and eat Dar until midnight.

2. Fasting day

After mid-night the fasting begins which lasts for 24 hrs. The fasting day of the Teej festival is dedicated to adoration (pujas and prayers). Lighting of an oil lamp is very important part of the puja ceremony. It is said that the oil lamp should be kept lit all night to avoid bad omen.

Married women fast for their husband's long life and good health, while the unmarried fast for the sake of getting a good husband.

The fasting is uncompromising: women fast even without taking a drop of water and some consider even swallowing saliva as a sin.

This fasting commemorates a similar fast that the Goddess Parvati had taken to get Lord Shiva as her husband. Both are important in deities in Hinduism.

3. Rishi Panchami

The third day of the Teej Festival is called Rishi Panchami. On this day, the seven sages of the Hindu pantheon are worshiped by women in a belief that this will cleanse all sins of the previous year. Women take a holy bath with red mud found on the roots of a sacred bush. After three hours of rigorous cleansing, they come out purified and absolved from all sins. After this they sit in a semicircle while a priest sitting in the middle chants devotional prayers.

In the name of The Copenhagen Voice, we wish all the Nepalese women ”A Happy Teej”.

Sunny Nyhavn

2012-09-12T16:25:35.000Z

10 Sep. 12 – Today’s forecast said that it is the last day of “summer-like” weather in Copenhagen. So where to go? Just a 3-minute walk from Kongens Nytorv Metro station and you will find the canal area stretching from Kongens Nytorv (King’s Square) up to the harbour in front of The Royal Playhouse, It is called Nyhavn (New Port). The 300 year-old harbour served as the trade and shipping place in Copenhagen. It was also considered the Sailor’s Place - when coming into Copenhagen. The port was divided into to the “naughty” side and the “nice” side. Today, old wooden ships still dock on the harbour to create an atmosphere from the past.

Front of Nyhavn, where the canal tour starts.The Charlottenborg Mansion is on the “shady side”

while the bar and cafes are on the “sunny side”.

The Memorial Anchor

In front of Nyhavn, a monument commemorating more than 1700 Danish officers and sailors for the Navy and Allied Forces, who offered their lives during World War II. This Memorial Anchor is from 1872, and was used on the Frigate Fyn (Funen), which was docked at Holmen Naval Base during WWII.

Every 5^th of May, an official ceremony is held in commemorating and honouring the fallen at the Memorial Anchor.

Longest Bar in Scandinavia

During 1700s on the shady side of the Nyhavn, mansions and houses were built for the wealthy people. And on the sunny side of it, colourful and picturesque houses were rented by the poor. The sunny side is perfect for people to get together - especially during the summer – a nice time to sit and relax and grab a cold beer to quench the thirst after a long day of work. And now, the Longest Outdoor Bar in Scandinavia – it’s a straight line of bars and cafes overlooking canal. Even during the cooler weather, people just sit with a blanket over their legs provided by the café with a beverage. Nyhavn serves also as a center for taking canal tours.

Restaurants and Cafes overlooking the canal.

H.C. Andersen

The famous writer H. C. Andersen wrote his first fairy tale in the house number 20 down the harbour in 1835. Interesting bit of information - he also ended his life in house number 18, and in between these years, he lived for nineteen years in number 67.

More than offering bars and cafés, this place has much to offer tourists and locals. While sitting and drinking with friends or family, you can also just take a relaxing time to think and enjoy the scenery. You’re in place where heroes are remembered, it was an important place for trade and it’s renowned line of trendy bars in Scandinavia. Remember that next time you are in Nyhavn you might be sitting outside the house of a famous Danish author. All-in-one! Cool, right?