A weekly exploration of the personal stories written by internationals from different walks of life.
Dear readers,
Every week, as the Danish news cycle churns through its familiar cadences of politics, weather, and football results, countless stories unfold under the radar. These are the moments that don’t make it into the news cycle. This is where “Untold Stories of Denmark” on Last Week in Denmark (lwid.dk) comes in.
I’m thrilled to introduce you to our weekly columnists, a collaborative effort between me and our brilliant editor, Paulina. Together, we’ve assembled a diverse group of wonderful columnists who have an uncanny ability to spot the extraordinary and take you beyond the usual narratives.
What You Can Expect
Each week, our columnists will uncover the stories that’s might not make mainstream headlines though are inspiring and important.
These aren’t just feel-good stories; they’re an honest examination of who we are as internationals in 2025, wrestling with questions of identity, community, and change that traditional media often skips.
Meet Our Columnists
Our multifarious team of authors brings perspectives from across Denmark’s social and geographic landscape, each offering their unique lens on Danish life:
- Paulina Stachnik explores Denmark’s vibrant cultural scene in “The Cultural Explorer’s Diary,” diving deep into art, design, fashion, history, and the creative forces shaping our collective landscape.
- Ali Lewis shares the joys and challenges of building a family as a new international in “Found in Translation,” offering honest insights into queer parenting in Denmark.
- Stephanie Makison demystifies Danish customs and hidden gems in “How to Live Like a Local,” perfect for anyone wanting to truly embrace the Danish lifestyle.
- Emily Ritchie chronicles the adventures of raising preschoolers in “The Little Viking Saga,” capturing those precious early childhood moments through a parent’s eye.
- Adrienn Ravn Hansen delves into mental health and personal growth in “Inside Out,” bringing pop psychology insights to everyday Danish life.
- Alicja Peszkowska examines how democratic values play out in daily Danish society through “Life, Shared – Democracy in Practice.”
- Florin Lungu offers leadership wisdom for Denmark’s international community in “Leadership Across Borders.”
- John Dixon takes us on scenic journeys across Denmark and beyond in his travel column “Jeg Tog to Tog.”
- Josephine Basthof provides an authentic Danish woman’s perspective on what it truly means to be Danish in “Being Danish.”
- Laura Matheson shares her unique experience of returning internationals finding their place again in “Tur-Retur.”
- Mateo Rubio Weill recently debuted his column, where he reveals the world of international boarding schools in “Denmark’s Best Kept Secret: IB Boarding Schools,” exploring life as an international student.
Coming soon:
- Stephanie Lund guides families through Denmark’s educational landscape and diagnostic processes in “This Danish-ish Life.”
- Raul Cordero debuts our first-ever video column that aims to empower aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly women leaders, in “Lead, Start, Grow – Raul’s Guide to Entrepreneurship in Denmark.”
From parenting to entrepreneurship, from democratic values to cultural exploration, our columnists represent the full spectrum of contemporary Danish experience.
Why Now?
In an era of increasing polarization and algorithmic echo chambers, we believe Denmark needs more spaces for complex, thoughtful storytelling. Not everything fits neatly into the categories of crisis or celebration that dominate our feeds. Real life is messier, more interesting, and ultimately more hopeful than the stories we usually tell ourselves.
Paulina and I have the pleasure and privilege of collaborating with a team of writers who understand this complexity and aren’t afraid to share their voice. They’re here to surprise you, entertain you, and maybe help you see your own corner of this small, remarkable country with fresh eyes.
Join the Conversation
“Untold Stories of Denmark” isn’t just about consumption of content, it’s about community. Each column will invite readers to share their own untold stories, whether about food, music, art, agriculture, or being a parent to special needs kids.
Denmark’s most interesting stories are often the ones being lived by our readers themselves.
So pour yourself a cup of coffee (or a cold Carlsberg, we don’t judge), settle in, and prepare to discover the Denmark you didn’t know you were missing.
Welcome to the conversation.
Have an untold story you think we should explore? Reach out to us at lastweekdk@gmail.com or find us on social media.
