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Theculture ofDenmark has a rich artistic and scientific heritage. The fairy tales ofHans Christian Andersen (1805–1875), the philosophical essays ofSøren Kierkegaard (1813–1855), the short stories ofKaren Blixen, penname Isak Dinesen, (1885–1962), the plays ofLudvig Holberg (1684–1754), modern authors such asHerman Bang andNobel laureateHenrik Pontoppidan and the dense, aphoristic poetry ofPiet Hein (1905–1996), have earned international recognition, as have the symphonies ofCarl Nielsen (1865–1931).
From the mid-1990s, Danish films have attracted international attention, especially those associated withDogme 95 like those ofLars Von Trier. Denmark has had a strong tradition of movie making andCarl Theodor Dreyer has been recognised as one of the world's greatest film directors.[1] The astronomical discoveries ofTycho Brahe (1546–1601),Ludwig A. Colding's (1815–1888) neglected articulation of the principle ofconservation of energy, and the foundational contributions toatomic physics ofNiels Bohr (1885–1962); in this centuryLene Vestergaard Hau (born 1959) in quantum physics involving the stopping of light, advances in nano-technology, and contributions to the understanding of Bose-Einstein Condensates, demonstrate the range and endurance of Danish scientific achievement.
Culture and the arts thrive as a result of the proportionately[clarification needed] high amount of government funding they receive, much of which is administered by local authorities so as to involve citizens directly.[2] Thanks to a system of grants, Danish artists are able to devote themselves to their work while museums, theatres, and thefilm institute receive national support.[3]
Copenhagen, the capital, is home to many famous sites and attractions, includingTivoli Gardens,Amalienborg Palace (home of theDanish monarchy),Christiansborg Palace,Copenhagen Cathedral,Rosenborg Castle,Opera House,Frederik's Church (Marble Church),Thorvaldsens Museum,Rundetårn,Nyhavn andThe Little Mermaid sculpture.[4]
Similar to other Scandinavian cultures, a fundamental aspect of Danish culture ishygge.Hygge, meaning "snug"; is a concept that evokes a "cosiness" that cannot be easily described due to being more of a mood, particularly when relaxing with good friends or loved ones.Christmas time is a true moment ofhygge, as is grilling apølse (Danish sausage) and drinking a beer on a long summer evening.[5][dubious –discuss] It is suspected the concept ofhygge is part of the reason Danes and otherScandinavians score high onhappiness.[6]
The Danish word for the Christmas holiday isJul, from the Old Norsejól, the term for "midwinter", itself cognate with the English word,yule.[7]Midwinter celebrations were an important part ofScandinavian culture since prehistoric times, and the term was retained to refer to "Christmas" afterChristianization.[8] In many countries Christmas is celebrated on 25 December, but in Denmark, and in the other Scandinavian countries, the most important day for celebrations is Christmas Eve on the 24th when the family comes together. The morning can be spent in various ways but most often it is the time when preparations are made for the evening.[9]Juleaften (Danish for Christmas Eve) or Yule Eve starts around 6 p.m. when a traditional dinner (Julemiddag) is served.Afterwards, the candles on the Christmas tree are lit and the family dance around it singing Christmas songs and carols and subsequently exchange presents.[9]
Danish folklore is made up offolk tales,legends, songs,music,dancing,popular beliefs and traditions, mostly communicated by the inhabitants of towns and villages across the country. Many of these were passed on from generation to generation byword of mouth. As in neighbouring countries, interest infolklore grew with an emerging feeling of national consciousness in 19th-century Denmark. Researchers travelled across the country collecting innumerable folktales, songs andsayings while observingtraditional dress in the various regions. Folklore today is part of the national heritage, represented in particular by national and local traditions, songs, folk dances and literature.
Today's folk dancing in Denmark dates back to the beginning of the 20th century, when there was renewed interest in the national heritage. A number of groups began to revive the music, dances and costumes of past generations. In 1901, the Society for the Promotion of Danish Folk Dancing (Foreningen til Folkedansens Fremme) was founded in Copenhagen, leading to local dancing societies throughout the country.[10] Today there are more than 12,000 folk dancers in 219 local clubs, providing courses in music, dancing and dressmaking.[11][12]
The traditional costumes of Denmark, though varying from region to region, date back roughly to the period between 1750 and 1900 when clothes were often home-made from yarn spun from wool or flax. In rural communities, the fabrication of garments for both family members and servants was an important part of everyday life. The artistFrederik Christian Lund, who had travelled across Denmark as a soldier in theFirst Schleswig War, took an interest in sketching people in local costumes in various parts of the country. He completed his collection of 31 coloured sketches in 1864, publishing them as coloured lithographs inDanske Nationaldragter (Danish National Costumes).[13]
Numerous Danish folktales contain a range of mythical figures such astrolls,elves,goblins andwights as well as figures fromNordic mythology likegiants andlygtemænd (hobby lanterns). Thenisse is a particularly well known legendary figure in Danish folklore, apparently dating back to pre-Christian times when it was believed there were household gods. Traditionally each farm had its own nisse living on the loft or in a stable. Dressed in grey with a pointed red cap, he was no taller than a 10-year-old boy. Thenisse would be helpful if treated well, for instance by offering him a bowl of porridge with a clump of butter at night, but, failing good treatment, he could become quite troublesome and mean.[14][15]
Today, nisser are associated with Christmas, with some of them being portrayed as Santa Claus's helpers on Greendland. Whilst the superstition regarding the nisse has faded, it is still traditional for households with children to pretend that a nisse lives in the attic, or elsewhere in the house, and to offer it porridge in December. The parents will then, for the duration of the month, play mischievous, but harmless, jokes on the children. The nisse also provides daily gifts, that are laid in a sock, which is hung op on a wall at the start of the month.
Perhaps the most typically Danish contribution to the meals of the day is the traditional lunch orsmørrebrød consisting ofopen sandwiches, usually on thinly slicedrugbrød. The meal usually begins with seafood such asmarinated herring, smoked eel, crab, or breaded plaice filets withremoulade and moves on with slices of roast pork or beef,frikadeller (meatballs), hams andliver pâté. The sandwiches are richly garnished with onion rings, radish slices, cucumbers, tomato slices, parsley,remoulade ormayonnaise.[16] The meal is mostly accompanied by beer, on occasion also by shots of ice-coldsnaps orakvavit.
In the evening, hot meals are usually served. Traditional dishes include fried fish, roast pork with red cabbage, pot-roasted chicken, pot-roast and slow cooked beef, meat balls, or pork chops. Game is sometimes served in the autumn. Steaks are now increasingly popular, but is a modern addition.[citation needed]
A popular traditional Danish dessert, especially around Christmas, consists ofæbleskiver, rather like small pancake doughnuts which are fried in butter in a special pan and are served hot with jam and sugar. Traditionally, they were made with small pieces of apple in the middle which is why they are calledæbleskiver, literally "apple slices".[citation needed]
In recent years, development of theNew Danish cuisine based on the rediscovery of local ingredients presented in interesting new recipes has led to a significant number of new, highly acclaimed restaurants in Copenhagen and the provinces, several with Michelin stars. This in turn has led to new developments in food production with a series of new products based on organic farming.[17]
Sports are popular in Denmark, and its citizens participate in and watch a wide variety. Thenational sport isfootball (soccer), with the most notable results being qualifying for theEuropean Championships six times in a row (1984–2004) and winning theChampionship in 1992. Other significant achievements include winning theConfederations Cup in 1995 and reaching the quarter-final of the1998 World Cup.[citation needed]
Denmark's numerous beaches and resorts are popular locations for fishing, canoeing, kayaking and a broad-range of other water-themed sports.[citation needed]
Inspeedway racing Denmark has won several world championships, including theSpeedway World Cup in2006 and2008. Other popular sports include golf, mostly popular among the older demographic;[18] tennis, in which Denmark is successful on a professional level;Danish Rugby Union, which dates back to 1950;[19] and indoor sports such as badminton,handball and various forms of gymnastics.
As of January 2012[update], thenational handball team are the current reigning European champions and the team with most medals won in European championship history on the men's side with a total of five medals, those being two gold medals (2008, 2012), and three bronze medals (2002, 2004 & 2006).And in 2016 Denmark's handball team won the gold medal for men at the Olympics in Rio.
In recent years, Denmark has made a mark as a strongcycling nation, withBjarne Riis winningTour de France in 1996, andMichael Rasmussen reachingKing of the Mountains status, in the Tour 2005 and 2006. The Tour d’France has been won for two consecutive years (2022 and 2023) by Jonas Vingegaard.
Most Danes are active cyclists, often using their bikes to commute to work or to go off on trips at the weekend. With its well-engineered cycle paths, Copenhagen is especially suited to city cycling. Every day 1.3 million km are cycled in the city,[20] with 36% of all citizens commuting to work, school or university by bicycle.[21] Cycling is generally perceived as a healthier,environmentally friendlier, cheaper and often quicker way around town than by public transport or car and it is therefore municipal policy for the number of commuters by bike to go up to 40% by 2012 and 50% by 2015.[22]
Odense has been named the "bicycle city of the year" because of the great number of bicycle lanes in the city. A complete network of 350 km all-weather serviced lanes exists in the town.[23]
During the summer months, there are free "City Bikes" stationed at various spots in the downtown area of Copenhagen,Aarhus andAalborg. The idea is that anyone can take a bike from one of the spots, ride it to one of the other spots and leave it there for the next person. There are manyNational and regional bicycle routes throughout Denmark. They are all marked and include rest areas with benches and other necessities.[citation needed]
Danish painting goes back hundreds of years. Earlier work is often manifested in churches, for example in the form offrescos such as those from the 16th-century artist known as theElmelunde Master. But it was not until the beginning of the 19th century that theGolden Age of Danish Painting emerged with a marked increase in truly Danish art inspired by the country itself with its lifestyle and traditions.Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg was an important influence on the following generation's study of nature, in which landscape painting came to the fore. He had many successful students, includingWilhelm Bendz (1804–1832),Christen Købke (1810–48),Martinus Rørbye (1803–1848),Constantin Hansen (1804–1880),Jørgen Roed (1808–1888),Wilhelm Marstrand (1810–1873),C. A. Jensen (1792–1870),J. Th. Lundbye (1818–1848), andP. C. Skovgaard (1817–1875).[24]
Some years later, a number of painters includingP. S. Krøyer (1851–1909) andMichael (1849–1927) andAnna Ancher (1859–1935) moved toSkagen in the far north ofJylland to paint the natural surroundings and local people. In due course, the town developed into an artists' colony. A little later, a similar phenomenon developed onFyn with artists such asJohannes Larsen (1867–1961).Vilhelm Hammershøi is another known painter.[citation needed]
Collections of modern art enjoy unusually attractive settings at theLouisiana Museum north ofCopenhagen, at the North Jylland Art Museum inAalborg and at theARoS art museum in Aarhus. TheNational Museum of Art and theGlyptotek, both in Copenhagen, contain treasures of Danish and international art.[citation needed]
Danish sculpture as a nationally recognized art form can be traced back to 1752 whenJacques Saly was commissioned to execute KingFrederick V of Denmark while on horseback. WhileBertel Thorvaldsen (1770–1844) was undoubtedly the country's most prominent contributor of his time, many other sculptors also produced notable works in the areas ofNeoclassicism,Realism, andHistoricism, the latter resulting from a growing consciousness of a national identity. From modern times, many notable works ofSurrealism andModernism has been produced, inspired by European trends, especially those from Paris. Present notable Danish sculptors includesMichael Kvium,Hein Heinsen andBjørn Nørgaard, but the field holds many skilled practitioners and the styles has diversified greatly.[citation needed]
The principal contributors to Danish literature are undoubtedlyHans Christian Andersen (1805–1875) with his fairy tales, the philosopherSøren Kierkegaard (1813–1855), storytellerKaren Blixen (1885–1962), playwrightLudvig Holberg (1684–1754), and modern authors such asHenrik Pontoppidan andHerman Bang.[citation needed]
Among today's Danish writers, probably the best-known to international readers isPeter Høeg (Smilla's Sense of Snow;Borderliners).Benny Andersen wrote poems, short stories, and music. Poems by both writers have been translated into English by the Curbstone Press.Klaus Rifbjerg has published over 100 novels as well as poetry, short stories and TV plays. Two of his works have been translated into English:Witness to the Future andWar.Kirsten Thorup's novelBaby, winner of the 1980Pegasus Prize, is published in English by the University of Louisiana Press. The psychological thrillers ofAnders Bodelsen also appear in English as do some of the novels of intrigue byLeif Davidsen.Suzanne Brøgger andVita Andersen focus largely on the changing roles of women in society.[citation needed]
The architecture of Denmark has changed and evolved since prehistoric times, but the oldest buildings to have survived the ravages of time dates to the earlyMiddle Ages when bricks was introduced as building material around 1150 AD and the firstRomanesque, thenGothic churches and cathedrals sprang up across the country.Brick is still a locally produced, affordable, durable and widely used building material in today's architecture of Denmark.[25] Inspired byFrench castles and with the assistance of Dutch designers, architecture during theRenaissance flourished with magnificent royal palaces.Neoclassicism came to Denmark from France and, in the 19th century, slowly merged into theNational Romantic style when Danish designers came into their own. It was, however, not until the last half of the 20th century that Danish architects entered the world scene with their highly successfulFunctionalism. This, in turn, has evolved into more recent world-class designers such asJohann Otto von Spreckelsen who designed theGrande Arche in Paris. Internationally, perhaps the most celebrated of all is the architect who designed the iconicSydney Opera House,Jørn Utzon, but within Danish borders, it is the architectArne Jacobsen who is perhaps held in highest esteem for developing the 'Danish Modern' style and furniture/interior design, such as the now world-famous and much sought-afterSwan andEgg chairs.[26] A new wave of young Danish architects are rising into international prominence, likeBjarke Ingels with works such as the Danish National Pavilion at theShanghai 2010 Expo.
Photography in Denmark has developed from strong participation and interest in the very beginnings of theart in 1839 to some of the strongest contemporary photography in Europe today. Pioneers such asMads Alstrup andGeorg Emil Hansen paved the way for a rapidly growing profession during the last half of the 19th century while both artistic and press photographers have since made internationally recognised contributions. Today Danish photographers such asAstrid Kruse Jensen andJacob Aue Sobol are active both at home and abroad, participating in key exhibitions around the world.[27]
Danish design is a term often used to describe a style offunctionalistic design and architecture that was developed in mid-20th century, originating in Denmark. Danish design is typically applied to industrial design, furniture and household objects, which have won many international awards.
The Danish Porcelain Factory ("Royal Copenhagen"), including Bing & Grøndahl, is famous for the quality of its ceramics and export products worldwide. Danish design is also a well-known brand, often associated with world-famous designers and architects such asBørge Mogensen (1914–1972),Finn Juhl (1912–1989),Hans Wegner (1914–2007),Arne Jacobsen (1902–1971),Poul Kjærholm (1929–1980),Poul Henningsen (1894–1967) andVerner Panton (1926–1998).[28]Georg Jensen (1866–1935) is known the world over for modern design in silver.
Other designers of note includeKristian Solmer Vedel (1923–2003) in the area of industrial design,Jens Harald Quistgaard (1919–2008) for kitchen furniture and implements andOle Wanscher (1903–1985) who had a classical approach to furniture design.[citation needed]
TheDanish Museum of Art & Design in Copenhagen exhibits the best in Danish design.[citation needed]
Denmark's most famous composer of classical music isCarl Nielsen who is best known outside of Denmark for his six symphonies, but whose melodies for popular songs are cherished among Danes. Other well-known pieces of his are the incidental music forAdam Oehlenschläger's dramaAladdin (Nielsen), the operasSaul og David andMaskarade, the concertos forflute,violin, andclarinet, theWind Quintet, and theHelios Overture, which depicts the passage of the sun in the sky from dawn to nightfall. TheRoyal Danish Ballet specializes in the work of Danish choreographerAugust Bournonville (1805–79).Hans Abrahamsen,Per Nørgård andPoul Ruders are successful composers of contemporary classical music. Danish interest in classical music is exemplified by the prestigiousOpera House completed in 2000. Strategically set on Copenhagen's waterfront, it has presented operas and musicals to full houses ever since its opening.
Danes have also distinguished themselves in rhythmical music, with world-famousjazz musicians such asSvend Asmussen,Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen,Niels Lan Doky andMarilyn Mazur. TheCopenhagen Jazz Festival has acquired an international reputation.[citation needed]
The modern pop and rock scene has produced some bands of note likeAqua,Dizzy Mizz Lizzy,D-A-D,The Raveonettes,Michael Learns to Rock,Alphabeat,Medina,Oh Land,Kashmir,Mew,Outlandish andDúné. All together,Lars Ulrich, drummer of the bandMetallica, has become the first Danish musician to be inducted into theRock and Roll Hall of Fame.[citation needed]
In recent years, Danish films have gained increasing recognition at home and abroad.Gabriel Axel's film based on Karen Blixen'sBabette's Feast was awarded an Oscar in 1987. In 1988,Bille August also received an Oscar withPelle the Conqueror based on the novel byMartin Andersen Nexø. In 1992, August went on to win thePalme d'Or in Cannes withIngmar Bergman's autobiography,The Best Intentions.
Since the late 1990s, theDogme movement and figures such asLars von Trier,Thomas Vinterberg,Søren Kragh-Jacobsen andLone Scherfig have continued to contribute to the international success of Danish cinema.[29] In 2011,Susanne Bier'sIn a Better World won theAcademy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
The theatre in Denmark continues to thrive thanks to the many theatres across the country which put on a wide variety of Danish and foreign performances. The flagshipRoyal Danish Theatre presentsdrama,opera,ballet andmusic. Since the 18th century, Danish playwrights have been successful in attracting wide public interest.
Ludvig Holberg (1684–1754) is considered by many to be the founder of the Danish theatre. Satirical comedies such asJean de France andJeppe of the Hill are still performed today.[30]
Adam Oehlenschläger (1779–1850) introduced romanticism to the Danish theatre. Especially successful was hisEarl Hakon the Mighty, premiered in 1808.
The NorwegianHenrik Ibsen (1828–1906) also travelled to Copenhagen where he produced numerous plays such asA Doll's House (1879).[31]
In recent years, there has been something of a revival in Danish theatre. Many new playwrights and producers have appeared includingAstrid Saalbach (born 1955), winner of the Nordic Drama Award in 2004, andPeter Asmussen (born 1957), who wrote the film script forLars von Trier'sBreaking the Waves. Danish musicals have also been a particularly successful feature of the modern theatre.Knud Christensen, commonly known as Sebastian, was particularly successful withCyrano (1992), based onRostand's play andKlokkeren fra Notre Dame (The Hunchback of Notre Dame) (2001).Bent Fabricius-Bjerre's musicalMatador (2007) is based on a successfulTV series of the same name.[32]
Another popular Danish theatrical tradition is therevue which has been thriving since the mid-19th century. Today revues are performed every summer to full houses in theatres across Denmark, poking fun at the politics of the day and even the monarchy. Among the most popular areCircusrevyen in Copenhagen with Lisbet Dahl, and theNykøbing Revy directed by Flemming Krøll inNykøbing Falster.[33]
To this day, Denmark also has a large tradition for children and youth theater, as it hosts the largest annual children and youth theater event in the world, Aprilfestivallen, every year.[34]
Danish television has also contributed to drama with a number ofsuccessful series since the 1970s. Perhaps the most notable domestic and international successes have been the political dramaBorgen and the three series ofForbrydelsen (The Killing, 2007–2012).Forbrydelsen attracted more than a 30% audience share, when originally broadcast in Denmark and both series have been widely sold around the world.[35]
Denmark has a long tradition for scientific engagement in all fields, often with fundamental discoveries. The intelligentsia was involved in the EuropeanScientific Revolution of therenaissance early on, with prominent scientists such asTycho Brahe (1546–1601),Ole Worm (1588–1655),Nicolas Steno (1638–1686) andOle Rømer (1644–1710).
The contributions to science has steadily continued through the ages, with the fundamental discoveries ofHans Christian Ørsted (1777–1851), the contributions to linguistics byRasmus Rask (1787–1832), the neglected articulation of the principle ofconservation of energy byLudwig A. Colding's (1815–1888),Vilhelm Thomsen (1842–1927),Otto Jespersen (1860–1943) and others, into modern times with the brilliant contributions to atomic physics ofNiels Bohr (1885–1962).
Niels Bohr founded several institutions in relation to quantum physics and both attracted and stimulated an important international and lasting scientific milieu in the country.[38] This has since produced many important discoveries and advancements in physics, astrophysics, chemistry, mathematics and engineering, particularly in the areas of quantum physics, quantum optics and lately nano-technology. Although an international environment, notable Danish scientists from this milieu includesBengt Strömgren (1908–1987),Aage Bohr (1922–2009),Holger Bech Nielsen (born 1941) andLene Vestergaard Hau (born 1959).
The sciences ofgeology andgeophysics has benefited from Danish scientists who have been - and are - heavily involved in the description and understanding of thegeology of Greenland, one of the most important regions in the world to study the geological evolution of Earth. TheGeological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS) was founded in 1888 andInge Lehmann (1888–1993) revealed that Earth have a solidinner core in 1936, by the use ofseismology. In the 1960s,Willi Dansgaard was the first to understand and describe how to use ice core drills to gain knowledge about Earth'spaleoclimate, now a widely used method to understand climate changes. Lately, Greenland-born geologist Minik Rosing and his team, unravelled groundbreaking knowledge about the early evolution of life through studies of Greenland's geology in the 2000s.[39][40]
The young science ofarchaeology, has also benefited from many Danish contributions, with prominent scholars such asSophus Müller (1846-1934),Georg F.L. Sarauw,J.J.A. Worsaae andPeter Glob. The contributions have often been of a fundamental nature, such as the discoveries ofkitchen middens orbog bodies and their great potential for advancing archaeology.Christian Jürgensen Thomsen refined and introduced the now universally recognizedthree-age system, dividing eras of prehistory into the well-knownStone Age,Bronze Age andIron Age respectively. Danish archaeologists have contributed with many defining archaeological discoveries, such as theKongemose culture,Maglemosian culture and theErtebølle culture of theNordic Stone Age and of course theViking Age. With a great international engagement and a long tradition for interdisciplinary collaborations withanthropologists,geologists,zoologists,botanists,antiquarians and historians, Danish archaeologists have been, and still are, involved with all kinds of cultural archaeology around the globe, including the Middle East[41] (Peter Glob,Peter Rowley-Conwy), theMediterranean region[42] (Peter Oluf Brøndsted,Jörgen Zoega) the Americas (Peter Wilhelm Lund,Frans Blom,Rane Willerslev) and the Arctic region (Therkel Mathiassen,Erik Holtved,Eigil Knuth).
Danes have made significant contributions to the field of computer science. Some notable figures include:Per Brinch Hansen, known for concurrent programming theory;Bjarne Stroustrup, who invented theC++ programming language;Janus Friis, the co-inventor ofSkype; Jens andLars Rasmussen, the co-founders ofGoogle Maps; andPeter Naur, a contributor to ALGOL 60 and a recipient of theTuring Award.
Social equality, includingsexual equality, is relatively high in modern Denmark.[43] Danes are somewhat tolerant towards sexual minorities.
Public displays of affection between gay partners are less likely to provoke disapproval, even as compared to other liberal Western countries.[44] As such,Copenhagen is a popular destination forhomosexual andbisexual travellers.[45] The main gay and lesbian festivals of the year are theCopenhagen Pride Parade and the Gay & LesbianFilm Festival. Copenhagen has been host to the2009 World Outgames.
In 1989 Denmark became the first country in the world to offer same-sex couples most of the same legal rights as heterosexual couples, in the form of "registered partnerships.".[46][47] In March 2009 adoption was legalized for same-sex couples.Same-sex marriage became legal in 2012, after both the parliament and theChurch of Denmark voted for it.[48]
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