The Copenhagen Post, Ryesgade 106A, Copenhagen (2025)

08/10/2025

If you're keeping track of time in Danish terms, you'll know that next week is Week 42. And in Denmark, week 42 is synonymous with Potato Week, or Kartoffelferie.

The holiday tradition dates back to the 1800s, when Denmark was still a largely agrarian society. Mid-October was peak harvest season, and families would head into the fields to gather potatoes, sugar beets, grains, and other crops. Since children chipped in with farm work, schools simply decided to stay closed during that period. The 'ferie' bit was eventually formalised by the government in 1899 and has remained a permanent fixture on the Danish calendar ever since.

Today, whether you call it Week 42, Kartoffelferie, or the more recent Efterårsferie, the understanding is clear: it's a week-long holiday with age-old roots in farming that has evolved to make space for more modern interpretations of family time. Where once Danes filled baskets with crops, they now fill their calendars with plans: be it setting off on a hiking adventure, spending afternoons knitting and baking with the grandparents, or seeking out fun fall-themed activities across the city.

From special discounts at the Museum of Illusions, to trick-or-treating with Rasmus Klump at Tivoli, click on the link in the comments to find out how you can celebrate this hyggelig Danish holiday break in the capital.

Photo: Mads Eneqvist via Unsplash

08/10/2025

On the surface, Denmark is the land of hygge, stability, and security, consistently ranking among the top five happiest country on various happiness indices and reports. Under the surface, however, an epidemic is simmering: one of internationals feeling disconnected, discontent, and profoundly lonely despite being, in theory, well-settled.

"The burnout is the effort to keep trying to connect externally," says Kerimé Abay, an Australian psychotherapist and founder of Hue Therapy – a private practice in Copenhagen that exclusively supports internationals through the mental and emotional upheavals that accompany moving abroad.

As someone who's experienced the scale of adjustments relocation demands first-hand, Abay understands why many internationals in Denmark struggle to emotionally integrate even though they've secured themselves a pedigreed education, cushy job, and cosy home. She attributes this to cultural differences in the way Danes approach social relationships compared to internationals. "They'll (Danes) say, 'That makes sense', but they won't go beyond that into being emotional support – because that means you're in a different boundary of relationship," she says, noting how such interactions can come across as cold to foreigners.

At Hue Therapy, Abay and her team of five therapists offer clients support in English, German, Spanish, Polish, and other languages. Beyond the language options, Hue's appeal lies in its physical presense and easy accessibility. Unlike the public system, which requires GP referrals and long wait times to consult with therapists, Abay's practice is open to internationals who don't 'qualify' for immediate care in the public system.

Through sessions characterised by unbiased listening and empathy, Hue Therapy is helping internationals in Denmark move beyond simply aspiring to Danish hygge in their surroundings, instead guiding them toward finding it within themselves.

Read more at the link in the comments.

Photo courtesy: Kerimé Abay

07/10/2025

Speaking at a teleconference earlier today, Ørsted's CEO, Rasmus Errboe, confirmed that the organisation will initiate layoffs before the end of the year as part of an "adjustment to the organisation", necessitated by "a consequence of the reality we find ourselves in".

The announcement comes shortly after Ørsted raised DKK 60 billion in new capital, with DKK 30 billion each coming from the Danish state and private investors – an injection of funds that offers much-needed respite after a difficult period for the offshore wind company marked by rising interest rates, cancelled or delayed projects, and political uncertainty stemming from Donald Trump's restrictive policies for the sector in the U.S.

Errboe said further details will be released in the coming weeks, once he has communicated internally with employees.

While no official numbers have been revealed, a Berlingske report suggests that one in five employees could be affected, putting roughly 1,600 jobs at risk.

Read more at the link in the comments.

Photo courtesy: Ørsted via Facebook

07/10/2025

On November 18, Denmark will go to the polls for municipal and regional elections. But starting today and until November 14, eligible residents who won’t be able to make it on the day can cast their vote in advance.

Early voting is available across all municipalities, not just where a voter is registered. Those wishing to vote in advance must appear in person at an advance voting station and present valid identification. Addresses and opening hours for advance voting can be found on each municipality’s website.

Danish residents temporarily overseas can vote at any Danish embassy or consulate, while Greenlandic and Faroese residents, as well as those on Danish ships and other offshore installations, were allowed to cast their vote as early as August 19 this year.

Meanwhile, voters who are ill or have limited mobility can apply to vote from home starting October 21 by calling the Centre for Early Voting at 33 66 33 66. If approved, two election staff members will personally visit the voter’s home to collect the ballot and return it to the municipality.

In Copenhagen, residents can vote early at 12 locations. The capital’s Mayor for Culture and Leisure, Mia Nyegaard, is urging those who can’t make it on election day to take advantage of the option. “It is important that people use the vote they have, even if they cannot do so on election day itself. Especially now that it is possible to vote early from today. So vote, because the one who votes decides,” she said.

Candidate lists have now been made available in all municipalities. To find out how many candidates are contesting elections for the Municipality of Copenhagen and the Region of Eastern Denmark, hit the link in the comments.

Photo courtesy: Københavns Kommune via Facebook

07/10/2025

In 2015, during the European refugee crisis, when over a million migrants flooded into Europe, Denmark established its hardline stance on refugees. Outrage erupted when news broke that Danish authorities were confiscating asylum seekers' jewellery and other valuables to pay for their stay in Denmark.

In the years since, Denmark has continued to clamp down on immigration, at one point even publishing advertisements in Lebanese newspapers to underscore its rigid migration policies. In 2021, the Danish government passed a law allowing asylum claims to be processed, and refugees resettled, in partner countries like Rwanda. In a BBC article, a senior analyst at the European Policy Centre, Alberto Horst Neidhardt, described Denmark's approach as a deliberate attempt at creating a "hostile environment" for migrants.

For Mustafa Rafiqyaar, who arrived as a refugee from Afghanistan in September 2018 and went through the Danish asylum system, the experience was isolating and dehumanising, if not outright hostile.

From day-long interviews with multiple interviewers and translators trying to poke holes in his story to having to survive on a shoestring allowance at an isolated reception centre far removed from city life, Rafiqyaar likened the experience to living in an "open prison". Add to that the daily uncertainty about his residency status, contingent on circumstances improving in his home country, and Rafiqyaar recalls feeling completely lost. "You're demoted from yourself. You feel like you're not human anymore," he says.

Ali Mokdad, former board member and head of policies at the Danish Refugee Council, believes it's time to reevaluate the term 'refugees'. According to him, the label needs to be decoupled from victim-centred connotations and instead focus on resilience to restore what the system has taken from refugees: their dignity.

Follow Rafiqyaar's asylum journey and gain deeper insights into the nuances of the Danish refugee system at the link in the comments.

06/10/2025

When the clock strikes 18:00 on Friday, October 10, Copenhagen will become a magnet for culture vultures as scores of landmarks open their doors for a night of special cultural experiences to celebrate the widely loved and highly anticipated Culture Night.

The event first took place on October 15, 1993 with a 45-venue line-up. Three decades hence, it has soared in popularity and scale, with this year's schedule comprising 200 locations across the length and breadth of the city.

This year's participating venues include churches, museums, castles, culture houses, theatres, embassies, schools, galleries, government institutions, and historical sites normally closed to the public. The only withdrawal from the 2025 schedule is the Danish Ministry of Defence, which has opted out, citing security concerns related to hosting thousands of visitors.

To access Culture Night events and experiences, visitors must purchase a Culture Night Pass, priced at DKK 125. The pass provides entry to all cultural happenings and entitles the holder to free transportation on buses, trains, and the metro throughout the Greater Copenhagen Region from 16:00 on October 10 until 04:00 on October 11.

For more details, visit the link in the comments.

Illustration: Bartek Arobal, Kulturnatten Facebook

06/10/2025

On Tuesday, September 30, international voters and candidates contesting Copenhagen’s upcoming mayoral election gathered at the University of Copenhagen’s Victor Haderup Auditorium for the city’s first English-language election debate.

Co-organised by Copenhagen Capacity and The Copenhagen Post, the panel featured not only mayoral hopefuls for the top seat in the Municipality of Copenhagen but also local candidates, representatives from leading Danish political parties, and members of the Folketing.

Over the course of an hour, the politicians made their pitches to international voters in the audience and fielded questions on issues ranging from housing and career opportunities to challenges with social inclusion.

Liberal Alliance’s Alexander Ryle warned of an escalating housing crisis that could turn Copenhagen into a "closed club" for the wealthy, while Socialistisk Folkeparti’s Sisse Marie Welling highlighted the need to limit corporate influence in the housing sector. Echoing their concerns, Enhedslisten’s Line Barfod called for an overhaul of the housing market and reiterated her vision of a Copenhagen for everyone, "not just for the rich".

Venstre’s Mayor for Employment and Integration, Jens-Kristian Lütken, underscored how job-hunting challenges push internationals to leave Denmark, calling it "a complete waste of talent", Radikale Venstre’s Christopher Røhl spoke about the importance of supporting internationals learning Danish, and Det Konservative Folkeparti’s Morten Melchiors argued that integration efforts should focus on helping internationals adapt to Danish culture, rather than adapting Danish culture to accommodate internationals.

Meanwhile, Moderaterne’s Ellen Emilie praised expats' critical thinking skills and encouraged them to look for parties with international candidates. "In local politics, we’re often not that far apart in policy, so it’s really about finding someone you see yourself in," she said. Socialdemokratiet MP Yildiz Akdogan agreed: "Politicians in Denmark are never farther than a phone call or an email. Use it."

Read everything the candidates had to say about their visions for the city and their views on international participation at the link in the comments.

06/10/2025

"Integration is largely about foreigners taking responsibility for becoming a part of Danish society," Denmark’s new Minister for Immigration, Rasmus Stoklund, stated in a press release announcing that the government will make the National Integration Council (Det Nationale Integrationsråd) redundant.

The council, which was established in 1983 and has since advised the government on national integration policy and local integration efforts for four decades, will not have its mandate renewed after it expires on June 1, 2026, if consensus is reached in parliament.

The closure marks a shift in Denmark’s approach to integration, with Stoklund emphasising that foreigners must take the main responsibility for integrating into Danish society. "We must provide the framework, but you yourself have a responsibility to get a job or an education," he said, "And we must generally move away from understanding integration as meeting in the middle. Integration is taking an active part in Danish society and fighting oppression and negative social control."

This decision comes shortly after Stoklund’s appointment, as the government sharpens its immigration rhetoric ahead of the municipal elections next month and parliamentary elections next year. In the days following his appointment, Stoklund has made no bones about his hardline stance on the matter, urging Denmark to "do everything we can to get as many as possible to return home" and "do everything to keep Islamism out of the door."

Read the Immigration Minister's full statement and the National Integration Council chairperson’s response at the link in the comments.

Photo: Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix

04/10/2025

Join as we journey into the past to a time when strikes and 12-hour workdays were the norm in Denmark with the 'Vi er arbejderne' (We are the workers) exhibition at Arbejdermuseet on Thursday, October 9.

Together with our Connect Club team, and in the company of fellow internationals, you’ll set off on an hour-long guided tour of the exhibition, which brings to life the struggles and resilience of Denmark’s working class.

Along the way, you'll cross paths with housemaids, farm workers, machine operators, and office clerks – representing the full spectrum of skilled and unskilled labour – getting a glimpse into the harsh conditions they endured and learning about how their solidarity helped them persevere.

To book your spot, visit the link in the comments.

Photo courtesy: The Workers' Museum, Malthe Folke Ivarsson

03/10/2025

In a press conference earlier today, Forsvarets Efterretningstjeneste (FE, the Danish Defence Intelligence Service) stated that Russia is engaged in hybrid warfare against NATO and the West.

FE director Thomas Ahrenkiel explained that such warfare can take the form of propaganda, harassment, sabotage, cyberattacks, and assassinations, adding that these threats are expected to become more frequent in the coming years. While he underlined their proliferation and unpredictability, he stopped short of confirming Russia's involvement in the recent drone attacks.

Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen, also present at the briefing, acknowledged the government's lacklustre response to the recent drone threats but warned that drones may only be the tip of the iceberg. "Right now, it's drones we're talking about. Next month, it may be something else that occupies our attention," he said, adding, "Unfortunately, the authorities expect that we will see more and different examples of hybrid threats, which may affect Danish society."

In the wake of recent incidents, Denmark has stationed two F-35 fighter jets at Skrydstrup Air Base to support Poland and NATO's eastern flank and bolster defence against Russia and Belarus. In addition, Danish frigate Niels Juel has been deployed to patrol the Baltic Sea and a Seahawk helicopter has been dispatched to monitor sea and air activity.

Read more via the link in the comments.

Photo: Sebastian Elias Uth/Ritzau Scanpix

03/10/2025

In a few weeks, Denmark will go to the polls for local elections. For native Danes, this will be routine. For many eligible internationals, however, this is likely going to be a first.

Questions are only natural. Where do I go to vote? What happens on election day? What do I need to carry with me?

It all begins with your voting card (valgkort) – a paper card your municipality mails to your home address at least five days before election day. On election day, you’ll hand over your valgkort at the polling station to the official at the electoral register (the correct polling station is indicated on your card). In return, you’ll receive one paper ballot for the municipal election and one for the regional election. After, you'll be guided to the voting booth, where you cast your vote by placing a cross beside the party or candidate of your choice. Once done, fold the ballot to conceal your vote and place it in the designated ballot box.

If you can’t make it on election day, November 18, you can vote in advance at any municipality in Denmark from Tuesday, October 7, until Friday, November 14. Addresses and opening hours for advance voting are available on your municipality’s website.

But what if your voting card doesn’t turn up in your letterbox? What if you forget to carry it to the voting station? What if you don’t wish to vote in either the municipal or regional election? What if you make a mistake on your ballot?

Find the answers to all these 'What ifs' at the link in the comments.

Photo courtesy: International.aarhus.dk

03/10/2025

Is it the surprisingly pleasant weather this late in the year? The lure of non-stop live music? Or the love of cosy fire-pit evenings by the harbour? Likely all three because for the first time, Reffen is extending its season beyond September.

This year, Copenhagen’s iconic street food market will stay open every weekend through October, including during the kartoffelferie holiday in week 42, with a programme packed with autumn activities.

An autumn opening between October 3 and 5 kicks things off, with live music, street food, mini golf, hay mazes, and movie nights. Beer fanatics will want to save the date for Saturday, October 4, when Reffen hosts Bajerfest: a day-long festival of beer tastings, beer bingo, and DJ sets.

On October 10, Reffen joins the laundry list of venues participating in Culture Night, with a line-up featuring live jazz, light installations, an ambient listening bar, and UV face painting workshops.

And as for holiday week? Reffen encourages families to bring their competitive spirit to an autumn break filled with flavor, fun, and coziness between October 10 and 19. On the agenda: harvest bingo, hay-bale bowling, pumpkin carving, a Diwali lights festival, and much more.

More on how Reffen’s Fall 2025 programme will unravel at the link in the comments.

Photo: Reffen - Copenhagen Street Food via Facebook

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