They have created the Copenhagen Cultural Network to encourage cultural exchange between Danes and Expats. Although I prefer to say "non-Danes". And what is more, they have given the responsibility to the non-Danes to run the programme, under the auspices of the Copenhagen Library.
A step in the right direction, which is available to all non-Danes to participate in and support.
So far, we have identified three areas: Literature (no surprise there with the library), Arts and Crafts, and Children.
I am personally involved in the Literature project and we kicked off last night with a reading from Karen Blixen's "Out of Africa". There were four readers, including myself, and the three wonderful, intelligent women who read are pictured above - Carol, Nina and Alexandra.
We also had Anders Bo Schreiner, former curator of the Karen Blixen Museum to give a presentation of the author's life, especially as an "expat" in Kenya.
Together with Helene and Laila from the library, and Barrett from the non-Danes group, we had a great time and I would like to thank the attendees. The food and wine was great, too.
We are going to do it again, soon. This time, the book will be "100 Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Gárcia Márquez. We hope to have readers from Colombia.
This will be followed by readings of other distinguished authors from around the world. The presentations will be at the Central Library and other libraries around Copenhagen.
On a positive note, we had food left over, so I called Selina Juul from "Stop Wasting Food" , and she gave us the names of hostels for the homeless. We found one on Nørrebro and took it there in a taxi!
These events will grow and it is brilliant that we, the non-Danes, can work with the City of Copenhagen and take responsibility and initiative. This initiative will go far to welcome non-Danes into the community and promote understanding between Danes and non-Danes and fellow non-Danes.
The way forward is to make Copenhagen a cosmopolitan hub, where non-Danes create a vibrant environment that is enhances life for non-Danes and Danes alike.
See you at the next event, so keep an eye on the Copenhagen Cultural Network web site
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