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1. Startseite iKulT Idea Cafe A Taste of Danmark 8 May 2008 Lystbækgård – Ulfborg

2. Some facts about DENMARK… Name: DENMARK - DANMARK Capital: Copenhagen (1.1 million inhabitants) Population: 5.43 million inhabitants National Language: Danish National Day: June 5 (Constitution Day) System of Government: Parliamentary Democracy and Constituional Monarchy Administrative structure: Municipalities and Regions Neighbouring Countries: Norway, Sweden, UK, Germany Area: 43,094 sqkm Startseite

3. Religion in Denmark… • The Danish National Church, Church of Denmark or Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denmark is a state church and is the largest Christian church in Denmark. • - Church of Danmark (83% of the population are members) • 3% of the population belong to other denominations (Catholics, Islam, Jewish) Startseite Typical Danish Church Grundtvig renewed the National Church and founded the Danish Folk High school system

4. The Danish Language The language of Denmark is Danish. It is the native language of pretty well the entire population and is the sole language for official purposes. Of c. 20,000 pro-German Danish citizens in Southern Jutland, about two thirds cultivates German to reflect its identity. Neither foreign citizens resident in Denmark nor immigrants who have obtained Danish citizenship have so far had any demonstrable influence on the Danish language. In Icelandic schools, too, Danish was the first foreign language to be learned until the late 1990ís and Danish still serves as a means of communication with the other Nordic countries. In addition, Danish is the mother tongue or the language of culture for c. 50,000 pro-Danish German citizens in South Schleswig (Germany), and is to a certain extent maintained by Danish immigrants in America and Australia. On an international level, Danish has been an official EU language since 1973. Further information: http://www.eurolanguages.net/denmark/national.php?c=1 http://www.denmark.dk/en/menu/AboutDenmark/DenmarkInBrief/Language/?wbc_purpose=Bas&WBCMODE=Pre%2cPre%2cPre%2cPre%2cPresent Startseite

5. Danmark – the past Startseite During the 8th-11th centuries, the Danes were known as Vikings, together with Norwegians and Swedish Geats. Viking explorers first discovered and settled Iceland in the 9th century, on their way toward the Faroe Islands. From there, Greenland and Vinland (Newfoundland) were also settled. The Danes were united and officially Christianized in 965 AD by Harald Blåtand, the story of which is recorded on the Jelling stones. The reign of Canute the Great (Danish:Knud) represented the peak of the Danish Viking age. King Knud's North Sea Empire included Denmark (1018), Norway (1028), England (1035) and held strong influence over the north-eastern coast of Germany The huge Jelling Stone is sometimes referred to as Denmark's birth certificate. Harald Bluetooth (d. 987) had a runic inscription carved into this side of the stone in memory of the fact that he ímade the Danes Christiansí Further information: http://www.denmark.dk/en/menu/AboutDenmark/History/

6. Denmark’s poets, musicians, philosophers, artists, … Startseite • Literature • Hans-Christian Andersen • Karen Blixen • Piet Hein • Film Makers • - Lars von Trier • Music • Carl Nielsen • Dietrich Buxtehude • Klaus Hoffmeyer • - August Bournonville • Philosophy • Søren Kierkegaard • Nikolai Frderik Severin Grundtvig More: http://www.denmark.dk/en/menu/AboutDenmark/TheDanes/GreatDanes/

7. Cultural highlights of Denmark … • Music Festival in Roskilde • Roskilde Festival is the largest North European culture and music festival and has existed since 1971. • More information:http://www.roskildefestival.dk/2008/frontpage/about_the_festival/ Startseite

8. Cultural highlights of Denmark … Startseite In summer time there are jazz, music, cultural festivals all over the country. Nearly each village and town has cultural weeks or cultural weekends organised by local associations.

9. Cultural highlights of Denmark … Startseite • Farm shows • Many towns have farm shows with fairs, fun rides, markets, music, and exhiibition of farm animals

10. Cultural highlights of Denmark … • Viking markets • Many Viking museums and towns have Viking markets in spring and summertime, where Vikings from all over Europe live in camps like the Vikings did and present their crafts and traditions. Startseite

11. Danish food… • Traditionally, the Danish eat crumbled ryebread with malt beer (øllebrød with a kind of yoghurt (ymer) or oatmeal cooked with buttermilk and syrup. But a modern breakfast consists of fresh rolls with cheese, jam and Danish pastry. • Lunch is called “frokost” and consists of dark rye bread with hering and/or cheese, liver paté, cold cuts. • Typical Danish evening meals (called “middag”) are roasted pork with a crispy skin with brown potatoes and gravy or plaice or cod fried in butter with parsley. • Good places to eat are the Danish Kros (Inns), where you get traditional meals. • Fast food - hot dogs, burgers, pizza, is quite popular, but there is also a slow food movement, where local organic produce is used to create local meals. • More info: http://www.visiteastdenmark.com/international/en-gb/menu/turist/enjoy-life/gastronomy/gastronomy.htm Startseite

12. Danish characteristics … The Danish are considered to be the happiest people in the world. Happy Danes? The world-leading position puzzles not only Danes themselves, but also many foreign media. Isn’t Denmark a tiny pancake of earth north of the wine-growing horizons, where summers are sunless and winters are windswept? Where taxes are sky-high and the society is ruled by a folk-law that says: “Don’t think you are anything special – you are no better than the rest of us.” Where everything is so regulated and disciplined that even in the dead of night in a deserted street, pedestrians conscientiously wait for the green light before they cross. Startseite The Danish seem quite relaxed - you call each other by the first name. The Danish do not like discussions and dispute - they are nice people and usually obey the many rules in the Kingdom. They are like a tribe - they are nice and friendly, but for a foreigner it is difficult to get inside.

13. The Danish welfare state Startseite Happy to pay tax Denmark is the world’s 7th richest country with a GDP of approx. USD 45,000 per capita. But the country is also known for its relatively high taxes, and the rest of the world is puzzled as to how high taxes make people happy. But if you ask Danes themselves, the vast majority say that they pay their taxes gladly. Because 9% of GDP is spent on education. There is a good education system. The state spends approx. 20% of GDPis spent on the healthcare system. Healthcare is free, though not always efficient, 20% of GDP is spent on social welfare.

14. Immigration in Denmark Startseite In January 2008, immigrants and descendants comprised 9.1 per cent of the total Danish population (498,000 persons) – about 6.9 per cent are immigrants and 2.2 per cent are descendants. 45 per cent of all immigrants and descendants originate from a European country. Together they represent about 200 different countries. The majority originate in Turkey, Germany, or Iraq. However, a substantial number come from Norway, Sweden, Lebanon, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Pakistan, Iran, and Somalia.

15. Some useful links … Official government info page: http://www.denmark.dk Some films on Denmark: http://www.considerdenmark.com/default.aspx For children (and grown-ups): http://www.um.dk/um_files/Denmark/kids/index.html For tourists: http://www.visiteastdenmark.com On wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denmark Startseite

16. Startseite Many thanks for your attention… Please contact the “iKulT” partner in Denamrk for further information: ed-consult Jolande Leinenbach E-Mail: info@ed-consult.dk