“400 years of cultural heritage in flames,” Jakob Engel-Schmidt, Culture Minister.
One of Copenhagen’s oldest buildings, built in 1625 and a Danish cultural icon, Børsen (the stock exchange), burned down on Tuesday, April 16. We have all seen the tragic videos with the building’s spire on fire and the incredible efforts of the people to save its historical objects. The exact cause has not yet been determined, but it’s yet another renovation project gone wrong.
The CEO of the building’s owner, Dansk Erhverv (Employers association), announced that it will be rebuilt “no matter what”. You can see in this video how the building looks now. Danske Beredskaber (Danish Emergency Services) asked for better fire protection for historical buildings during renovation since the Notre Dame fire five years ago. Now, the government will react to ensure this doesn’t happen again.
Renovation projects gone wrong are not new to Denmark. The list includes: Roskilde Cathedral in 1968, Proviantgården in 1992, Odd Fellow Palace in 1992, Christiansborg Palace Church in 1992, Dehn’s Palace in 2010, K.B. Arena in 2011, The Freedom Museum in 2013; Svinkløv Spa Hotel in 2016; and Sparreholm Gods in 2016.
In other news, after his failed crusade against gender-segregated swimming, the Minister of Integration has once again entered the spotlight. In his opinion, some people with international backgrounds are using their positions in Danish society to undermine Danish values. In a way, he points out that a good education and job are not enough to be “integrated” in Denmark. In our opinion, this is a dangerous line of thought as it can lead to “witch hunts” and an ever greater level of discrimination.
In internal house affairs, we invite you for a meet-up in Aarhus on April 27th. Also, don’t forget the Danish Science Festival week (we’re supporting the events Mental Health in times of change, Home Design and Health and Inclusive Entrepreneurship).
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Word of the Week
Ungebyråd, Ungdomsråd, Ungeråd = Youth Council. In a large majority of Danish municipalities, there is an elected youth council which represents the interests of 13-30 year old’s in that area. The Local Council is asking for their opinion in matters related to youth policy, young people’s rights, offers for young people and so on.
